Snakes 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. Another venomous species, the eastern massasauga, is also rare here, its population restricted to the northern part of the state, considered federally threatened and endangered.
The eastern rat snake measuring 100 and 200 cm, is Indiana’s largest, inhabiting woodlands.
| Groups | Venomous | Non-venomous |
|---|---|---|
| Pit Vipers | Eastern Copperhead Northern Copperhead | – |
| Rattle Snakes | Timber Rattlesnake Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake | – |
| Water Snakes | Western Cottonmouth | Copperbelly Water Snake Northern Diamondback Water Snake Midland Water Snake Common Watersnake |
| Garter Snakes | Plains Garter Snake Eastern Garter Snake Western Garter Snake Chicago Garter Snake Western Ribbon Snake Eastern Ribbon Snake Northern Ribbon Snake Butler’s Garter Snake | |
| Kingsnake | Prairie Kingsnake Black Kingsnake Northern Ringneck Snake Red Milk Snake Eastern Milk Snake | – |
| Hognose Snakes | – | Eastern Hognose Snake |
| Opheodrys | Northern Rough Green Snake Western Smooth Green Snake | |
| Carphophis | – | Midwestern Worm Snake |
| Cemophora | – | Northern Scarlet Snake |
| Clonophis | – | Kirtland’s Snake |
| Coluber | – | Blue Racer Southern Black Racer |
| Farancia | – | Red-Bellied Mudsnake Mud Snake |
| Pantherophis | Western Fox Snake Black Rat Snake Gray Ratsnake Eastern Rat Snake | |
| Regina | – | Queen Snake |
| Pituophis | – | Bullsnake |
Storeria | – | DeKay’s Brown Snake Midland Brown Snake Northern Redbelly Snake |
| Tantilla | – | Southeastern Crowned Snake |
| Virginia | – | Western Earth Snake |
Snakes by Colors and Patterns
Black Snakes: Black Kingsnake,Black Rat Snake, Black Racer
Brown Snakes: DeKay’s Brown Snake, Midland Brown Snake, Common Garter Snake
Snakes by Region
Snakes in Northern Indiana: Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, Northern Redbelly Snake, Northern Scarlet Snake
Snakes in Southern Indiana: Common Watersnake, Northern Copperhead, Midwestern Worm Snake
Quick Information
Largest Snakes: Eastern Ratsnake
Smallest Snakes: Midwestern Worm Snake
Most Venomous Snakes: Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
