Indiana is home to a diverse range of snake species, both venomous and nonvenomous Out of the 32 native snakes found in the state, only 4 are venomous Despite common fears, venomous snake bites are extremely rare in Indiana.
In this article, we’ll provide an in-depth look at the different snakes that inhabit Indiana, including key identification features, habitat, diet, and conservation status
Nonvenomous Snakes
The majority (28) of snakes native to Indiana are nonvenomous. Some of the most common and widespread nonvenomous species include:
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Midland Water Snake: A large aquatic snake reaching up to 51 inches long. They have dark square-shaped blotches on a brown body and are found near ponds, streams, and rivers. Fish and frogs make up their main diet.
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Northern Water Snake: Brownish-yellow snakes with dark brown crossbands that inhabit marshes, ponds, and streams. As adults they eat fish, crayfish, frogs, and even birds.
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Eastern Garter Snake: Medium-sized snakes up to 26 inches long found in moist habitats like woodland edges. Earthworms and amphibians like frogs and toads are part of their varied diet.
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Gray Ratsnake: One of Indiana’s largest snakes reaching up to 6 feet. They thrive in hardwood forests and often prey on birds and bird eggs in trees.
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Northern Brown Snake: A tiny brown snake that only grows to 7 inches. They are secretive snakes that live under leaf litter and give birth to live young.
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Ringneck Snake: A small snake with a colorful yellow or orange neck band. They inhabit moist wooded areas and feed on slugs and earthworms.
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Rough Greensnake: Slender bright green snakes that eat insects and spiders. They climb trees in search of food but are preyed on by birds.
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Eastern Milksnake: Grayish snakes with reddish-brown blotches accented by black borders. They constrict rodents and lizards as prey and may hiss or vibrate their tail when threatened.
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Eastern Hognose Snake: Stocky snakes up to 32 inches long that specialize in eating amphibians like frogs and toads. Their saliva is mildly venomous but not dangerous to humans.
Venomous Snakes
The 4 venomous snake species native to Indiana are:
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Copperhead: Tan, chestnut, or rusty-colored snakes with hourglass-shaped darker crossbands. They inhabit rocky forests in southern Indiana. Bites are painful but very rarely fatal.
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Cottonmouth: Rare and endangered in Indiana, found only in swampy areas of southwestern counties. They have dangerous cytotoxic venom that can cause tissue damage.
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Timber Rattlesnake: Large heavy-bodied snakes with dark chevron crossbands and a rattle on the tail. Now endangered in Indiana and only found in scattered populations in the south-central region.
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Eastern Massasauga: A small rattlesnake with gray and brown blotches on the back and a well-developed rattle. Listed as federally threatened and found sporadically in northern Indiana wetlands. Bite symptoms include intense pain, swelling, and numbness.
Habitats and Diet
Indiana’s snake species inhabit a range of habitats including forests, prairies, wetlands, lakeshores, and agricultural areas. Many species are strongly associated with bodies of water like rivers, streams, marshes, and ponds.
Diet varies between snakes but common prey includes fish, amphibians, small mammals, birds and eggs, and invertebrates. Certain snakes have specialized diets – for example, the Queensnake eats only freshly molted crayfish.
Conservation Concerns
Many Indiana snake populations face threats including habitat loss, persecution by humans, road mortality, and over-collection from the wild. 9 species are listed as endangered, threatened, or special concern in the state.
Public education about the vital role snakes play in ecosystems and the rarity of venomous snake bites is important for conservation. If left alone, most snakes pose no threat to humans and simply help control pest populations. Learning to identify venomous species and acting cautiously around them can prevent unnecessary snake mortalities.
Indiana is home to a remarkable diversity of snake species filling niches across various habitats. Being aware of both the harmless and dangerous snake species that may be encountered in the state can allow Hoosiers to coexist safely with these fascinating reptiles. With some understanding and precaution, we can maintain healthy snake populations that provide pest control services and balance Indiana’s ecosystems.
10 most common snakes you may encounter in Indiana
As it gets warmer, snakes will be on the move, emerging from hibernation and in search of food. Snake season in Indiana begins in the spring and peaks in the summer, meaning your chances of seeing one will go up over the next few months.
Here are 10 of the most common snakes you may encounter in Indiana and what part of the state they’re more likely to be seen in.
Indiana’s Venomous Snakes
FAQ
Are there any poisonous snakes in Indiana?
Venomous snake species in Indiana:
Copperhead – Only found in southern half of the state. Cottonmouth – State Endangered – Only found in one small area in southwestern Indiana. Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake – Federally Threatened – Northern third of Indiana.
What is the most common backyard snake?
- 1. Rat Snakes. Rat snakes come from the Colubridae snake family. …
- Garter Snakes. Garter snakes are small to medium-sized and often found in North America. …
- King Snakes. …
- Gopher Snakes. …
- Banded Water Snake.
What is the most snake infested lake in Indiana?
When it comes to snakes, Brookville Lake is one of the most infested lakes in the state due to its rich fish population and verdant shores. One case, in particular, stands out from 2022 when two boaters found a 4.5-foot-long deceased snake with a fish in its mouth.
How many venomous snake species are there in Indiana?
There are four venomous species of snakes in Indiana. There’s more than just corn in Indiana – including roughly 36 species and subspecies of Indiana snakes! Keep reading to learn which cold-blooded serpents call this midwestern state home, including many unique and harmless Indiana snakes, like the Eastern Blue Racer.
Are there rattlesnakes in Indiana?
Indiana is home to over 40 snake species, four of which are venomous. The state’s deadliest timber rattlesnake has a limited population here, found in the Morgan, Brown, Jackson, Lawrence, Washington, and Monroe counties.
What snakes live in Indiana?
Brown Snakes: DeKay’s Brown Snake, Midland Brown Snake, Common Garter Snake Snakes in Northern Indiana: Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, Northern Redbelly Snake, Northern Scarlet Snake Snakes in Southern Indiana: Common Watersnake, Northern Copperhead, Midwestern Worm Snake Largest Snakes: Eastern Ratsnake Smallest Snakes: Midwestern Worm Snake
Where do snakes hibernate in Indiana?
Snakes hibernate from late fall through early spring. Copperhead – Only found in southern half of the state. Cottonmouth – State Endangered – Only found in one small area in southwestern Indiana. Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake – Federally Threatened – Northern third of Indiana. Timber Rattlesnake – State Endangered – South central Indiana.
Are all venomous snakes in Indiana pit vipers?
All of Indiana’s venomous snakes are pit vipers. Many Indiana snake species look similar and are hard to differentiate. Snakes inhabit every corner of the state, from open fields to rocky glades. Sometimes, the same snake species can look different depending on the state it lives in. This identification guide is for Indiana snakes only.
What is the largest snake found in Indiana?
The largest snake species in Indiana is the Gray Ratsnake (Pantherophis spiloides). These snakes can grow to lengths of 3 to 6 feet. They are typically found in hardwood forests and streams with plenty of trees on the side in the Southern parts of Indiana.