39 Species of Snakes That are Found in Indiana

The diverse habitat found in Indiana is well-suited for a host of snakes to call it their home. But of all the species inhabiting this place, only 4 are venomous. AnimalSake provides a picture gallery of the species of snakes found in Indiana.

Not hisssss brother!
The Eastern hognose snake, also called “puff(ing) adder”, is a harmless snake found in Indiana. Do not confuse it with the real puff adder, which is a highly venomous viper. It is a totally different species found in Africa.

Snakes in Indiana

There are roughly 39 taxa of snakes that are native to Indiana, while some prefer wooded areas, others occupy wetlands or marshes. So the question now is how many of the 39 are venomous? Well, there are only 4 venomous snakes. They are:

1. Timber Rattlesnake
2. Eastern Massasauga
3. Northern Copperhead
4. Western Cottonmouth

These poisonous snakes are basically pit vipers and can be identified by the following characteristics. These identification characteristics although may not present be present in each snake, but they can surely help:

• Heat-sensing pits (behind the nostril)
• Wider heads and narrower necks
• Heavy bodies; they appear stout/fat
• Spade-shaped head
• Elliptical pupils

Now, coming to the non-venomous and mildly venomous snakes in Indiana. Nine snakes are non-venomous (all are ratsnakes) and are of not much threat to humans, while 26 of them have rear fangs which causes mild poisoning and harm. This article lists out all the snakes found in Indiana.

List of Nonvenomous Snakes in Indiana

Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)

Black Kingsnake (Lampropeltis nigra)

Red Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum syspila)

Eastern Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum)

Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon sipedon)

Northern Rough Green Snake (Opheodrys aestivus aestivus)

Western Smooth Green Snake (Opheodrys vernalis blanchardi)

Black Rat Snake (Pantherophis obsoletus)

Gray Rat Snake (Pantherophis spiloides)

Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi)

Northern Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi dekayi)

Midland Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi wrightorum)

Butler’s Garter Snake (Thamnophis butleri)

Western Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis proximus proximus)

Southern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor priapus)

• Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis)
• Eastern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus sauritus)
• Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata)
• Queen Snake (Regina septemvittata)
• Midland Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon pleuralis)
• Copperbelly Water Snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta)
• Western Mud Snake (Farancia abacura reinwardtii)
• Blue Racer (Coluber constrictor foxii)
• Northern Scarlet Snake (Cemophora coccinea copei)
• Chicago Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis semifasciatus)
• Midwestern Worm Snake (Carphophis amoenus helenae)
• Kirtland’s Snake (Clonophis kirtlandii)
• Northern Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus edwardsii)
• Prairie Kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster calligaster)
• Northern Diamondback Water Snake (Nerodia rhombifer rhombifer)
• Western Fox Snake (Pantherophis ramspotti)
• Northern Redbelly Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata)
• Plains Garter Snake (Thamnophis radix)
• Northern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis semifasciatus)
• Western Earth Snake (Virginia valeriae elegans)

List of Venomous Snakes in Indiana

Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)

Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen)

Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus)

Western Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma)