Michigan is home to a diverse range of snakes, with 23 different species found across the state. These snakes inhabit various environments, from dense forests and wetlands to grasslands and suburban areas. While some are common and harmless, others, like the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, are venomous and should be approached with caution. Understanding the different Michigan snakes is essential for both safety and appreciation of the state’s wildlife.
Many snakes in Michigan play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling rodent and insect populations. Non-venomous species, such as the Eastern Garter Snake and Smooth Green Snake, are frequently spotted in backyards and parks. Others, like the Copper-bellied Water Snake and Kirtland’s Snake, are rarer and even considered endangered in certain areas.
Whether you are a nature enthusiast or simply curious about local wildlife, learning about Michigan snakes can help you identify them in the wild. This guide provides detailed information on each species, including their appearance, habitat, and unique behaviors, making it easier to distinguish between harmless and potentially dangerous snakes.
Different Types of Snakes in Michigan
Eastern Fox Snake
The Eastern fox snake (Pantherophis gloydi) is a large, non-venomous snake that can grow up to 70 inches (179 cm) in length. It has a light brown to yellowish body with dark chocolate or black blotches along its back. The head is usually red to brown, which helps distinguish it from similar species. Younger individuals tend to have a lighter coloration, which darkens as they age.
This species thrives in marshy and flat areas but can also be found in farmlands, open woodlands, and prairies. Eastern fox snakes are ground-dwelling and rarely climb trees. When threatened, they may mimic a rattlesnake by vibrating their tail against dry leaves, although they are completely harmless to humans.
Western Fox Snake
The Western fox snake (Pantherophis vulpina) is a robust, non-venomous snake that can grow up to 6 feet (1.83 meters) in length. It has a light brown base color with dark brown blotches running along its back. Its ventral side features a yellow and black checkerboard pattern, making it easily recognizable. When threatened, it emits a musky odor to deter predators.
Western fox snakes are highly adaptable and can be found in diverse habitats, including farmlands, open woodlands, marshlands, pastures, and prairies. They are excellent climbers and hunters, primarily feeding on small rodents and birds. Though often mistaken for rattlesnakes due to their defensive behavior, they are harmless to humans.
Eastern Hog-nosed Snake
The Eastern hog-nosed snake (Heterodon platirhinos), also known as the spreading adder, can grow up to 46 inches (116 cm) in length, with females typically larger than males. It is easily recognized by its upturned snout, which it uses for digging in the soil. Its coloration varies widely, ranging from red, green, brown, black, gray, or orange, sometimes displaying a checkered or blotchy pattern. The underside is gray, cream, or yellow, while the tail’s underside is lighter than the belly.
Despite their intimidating display, Eastern hog-nosed snakes are harmless to humans. If threatened, they flatten their neck and raise their head like a cobra while hissing and striking—though they rarely bite. If this defense fails, they resort to playing dead, even emitting a foul-smelling musk to deter predators. Their mildly toxic saliva may cause localized swelling but poses no significant danger.
Eastern Milk Snake
The Eastern milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum) is a smooth-scaled, non-venomous snake that can grow up to 52 inches (132 cm) in length. It has a distinctive pattern with brown or reddish-brown blotches outlined in black running down its tan or gray body. The underside features a black-and-white checkered pattern, adding to its striking appearance.
This species is popular in the pet trade due to its docile nature. Eastern milk snakes rarely bite unless restrained. In the wild, they are often found in forests, grasslands, and farmlands, where they help control rodent populations. They are sometimes mistaken for venomous snakes, but their gentle disposition makes them harmless to humans.
Smooth Green Snake
The smooth green snake (Liochlorophis vernalis), also known as the grass snake, is a slender species that reaches up to 26 inches (66 cm) in length. Its back is a bright green color, with a white or yellow underside. Juveniles start off olive-green to blue-gray before turning vibrant green after their first shed. A unique feature of this snake is its black-tipped tongue.
This species is protected and cannot be collected for captivity. Smooth green snakes prefer habitats such as meadows, open woods, marshes, and stream edges. They tend to stay close to permanent water sources, using their green coloration for camouflage. Their diet mainly consists of insects, making them beneficial to ecosystems.
Copper-bellied Water Snake
The copper-bellied water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) is a non-venomous snake that can grow up to 5 feet (152 cm) in length. It has a striking appearance, with a black to brown dorsal side and a bright red to orange belly. Juveniles have a two-toned pattern with red to brown crossbands and a vivid orange underside, including red-orange lips and chins.
This snake is rarely seen in its juvenile stage, as young individuals stay hidden in well-camouflaged areas. Copper-bellied water snakes inhabit warm, quiet waters such as lowland swamps and wetlands. Due to habitat loss, this species is listed as endangered in Michigan.
Northern Water Snake
The Northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon) is a large, non-venomous snake that can reach between 24 to 55 inches (61 to 140 cm) in length. It has a dark brown, tan, or gray body with square patches along its back and sides. It is commonly mistaken for the venomous cottonmouth, but unlike cottonmouths, Northern water snakes have patches instead of bands.
This species is highly aquatic and can be found in a variety of water sources, including streams, marshes, lakes, ponds, and rivers. They are often seen basking on rocks, branches, or shorelines near water. While they are not venomous, they may bite if handled, and their saliva contains anticoagulants that can cause excessive bleeding from wounds.
Kirtland’s Snake
Kirtland’s snake (Clonophis kirtlandii) is a small, slender snake that reaches an average length of 18 inches (46 cm). It has a distinctive coloration, with a gray to brown body marked by large black spots along its back and smaller spots on its sides. The most striking feature of this species is its ventral side, which is bright red with round black spots along the outer edges.
This snake is commonly found in southern Michigan, preferring wetland environments such as marshes, swamps, and grasslands. Due to habitat loss and environmental changes, the Kirtland’s snake is currently listed as an endangered species in Michigan, making conservation efforts essential for its survival.
Blue Racer
The blue racer (Coluber constrictor foxii) is a strikingly beautiful snake known for its brilliant blue to dull gray lateral scales and a dark gray dorsal surface. Its ventral side is creamy white, and it features a characteristic black mask across its face with large, prominent eyes. Juveniles have blotched patterns that gradually fade as they mature, typically around three years of age.
This species is native to the Midwest, found only in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Blue racers are highly active and fast-moving, often found in open fields, grasslands, and light woodlands. They can grow up to 60 inches (152 cm) in length, making them one of the larger non-venomous snakes in their range.
Northern Ring-necked Snake
The Northern ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus edwardsii) is a small, secretive species that can reach up to 24 inches (61 cm) in length. It is typically black to blue-gray in color with a distinct yellow to orange ring around its neck. The ventral side is similarly colored to the neck ring but often features dark markings along the belly.
This species prefers wooded environments but can also be found in open mountainous areas, wetland edges, and even humid basements. Northern ring-necked snakes are nocturnal and rarely seen during the day. They primarily feed on small amphibians and insects, using mild venom to subdue their prey.
Black Rat Snake
The black rat snake (Pantherophis obsoletus), also known as the western rat snake, can grow up to six feet (183 cm) in length. Adults are predominantly black with some white showing between their scales, while juveniles have a light gray base color with brown patches. Their belly is white with a checkered pattern near the tail.
This species is commonly found in southern Michigan, preferring forests, floodplains, swamp margins, and timbered hillsides. They are frequently seen in barns, abandoned buildings, and even suburban areas. When threatened, they remain motionless, vibrate their tails, and emit a foul-smelling musk to deter predators. Despite their intimidating display, they are harmless to humans.
Gray Rat Snake
The gray rat snake (Pantherophis spiloides), also known as the chicken snake or midland rat snake, is another large species that can reach six feet (183 cm) in length, with some individuals recorded at over eight feet (247 cm). They have a light to dark gray coloration with dark dorsal patches separated by lighter gray scales.
Although they primarily dwell on the ground, gray rat snakes are excellent climbers and often venture into trees. They inhabit hardwood forests, cypress stands, and areas near streams and fields. They are frequently found in barns and sheds, where they help control rodent populations. If threatened, they mimic the defensive behavior of rattlesnakes by coiling into a wave-like pattern and rattling their tails. They may also emit a foul-smelling musk or strike if handled. In Michigan, this species is classified as “of special concern.”
Queen Snake
The queen snake (Regina septemvittata) is a slender, medium-sized aquatic snake that grows up to 24 inches (61 cm). It has a gray, olive green, or light brown body with three dark stripes running down its length and two lighter stripes along the sides. Its yellow belly features four distinct brown stripes.
Queen snakes are commonly found near streams and rivers, where they feed primarily on crayfish. They are often seen basking along riverbanks but will quickly retreat underwater if disturbed. Unlike many other snakes, they are diurnal, meaning they are most active during the day. Due to their reliance on clean, running water, their populations are vulnerable to pollution and habitat destruction.
Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
The Eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) is Michigan’s only venomous snake, reaching up to 30 inches (75 cm) in length. It has a tan or gray base color with a series of rounded dark brown or black blotches along its back, accompanied by three alternating rows of smaller side spots. Some individuals are completely black. Juveniles are lighter in color and darken with age.
This species is listed as endangered in Michigan due to habitat loss. Although venomous, it is a shy snake that prefers to avoid human encounters. Its venom contains tissue-destroying enzymes that can disrupt blood flow, but bites are rare and usually occur when someone accidentally steps on or attempts to handle the snake. Given its declining population, conservation efforts are in place to protect this important predator.
Brown Snake
The brown snake (Storeria dekayi), also known as De Kay’s snake, is a small species that grows between 9 to 13 inches (23 to 33 cm) in length. Its color varies from brown, yellow-brown, and red-brown to gray-brown. A distinguishing feature is the two rows of dark spots along its back, which may be connected, along with a dark streak on the side of its head. Its underside is white to light brown, often with small dark dots along the edges.
Brown snakes are commonly found in residential areas, where they take shelter under debris, logs, and rocks. They are sometimes mistaken for copperheads due to their similar coloration, but unlike copperheads, they lack the distinctive hourglass pattern and yellow tail tip. These snakes are harmless and play a valuable role in controlling insect and slug populations in gardens and urban environments.
Northern Red-bellied Snake
The northern red-bellied snake (Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata) is a small woodland snake, reaching only 10 inches (25 cm) in length.
Its coloration varies from brown, black, and gray to bright orange. Some individuals have a stripe running down the center of their back, while others may have a brown ring behind the head. The defining feature of this species is its unpatterned red to bright orange belly.
Northern red-bellied snakes prefer woodland habitats but can also be found in open fields. They are secretive, often hiding under rocks, logs, and leaf litter. When threatened, they exhibit a defensive behavior by curling their lips but are not known to bite.
Butler’s Garter Snake
Butler’s garter snake (Thamnophis butleri) is a slender, small snake that grows up to 29 inches (73 cm) in length. It has three distinct orange to yellow stripes running down its body against an olive, brown, or black base color.
Unlike other garter snakes, Butler’s garter snakes tend to thrash in place when threatened rather than immediately fleeing. They are non-venomous and prefer to escape rather than show aggression toward humans.
Northern Ribbon Snake
The northern ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus septentrionalis) is a slim, fast-moving snake that can grow up to 33 inches (86 cm) in length. It has a dark brown to black base color with three distinct stripes that range from white and yellow to green. The underside is a solid green, white, or yellow. A unique feature is the presence of white or yellow scales just above the mouth, bordered by a dark outline.
This species is often found near water sources such as marshes, streams, and lakes. They are highly aquatic and frequently hunt small amphibians and fish.
Eastern Garter Snake
The eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) is one of the most common and adaptable snake species in North America. It typically grows between 18 and 26 inches (46–66 cm), though some individuals can reach up to 49 inches (124 cm). Females tend to be larger than males.
Their coloration varies widely, with black, brown, or green bodies featuring a white to yellow stripe running down the center.
Eastern garter snakes inhabit a wide range of environments, from abandoned farmlands and trash dumps to riverbanks, swamps, ponds, and even urban areas like cemeteries, yards, and parks. They are highly adaptable and frequently encountered in human-populated areas.
