Michigan is home to a various range of snakes , with 23 different species line up across the state . These snake in the grass dwell various environments , from dense forests and wetlands to grassland and suburban orbit . While some are common and harmless , others , like the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake , are venomous and should be approach with caution . Understanding the differentMichigan snakesis essential for both safety and appreciation of the state ’s wildlife .
Manysnakes in Michiganplay a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling rodent and worm population . Non - vicious species , such as the Eastern Garter Snake and Smooth Green Snake , are frequently spotted in backyard and Park . Others , like the Copper - belliedWater Snakeand Kirtland ’s Snake , are rarer and even considered jeopardize in sure domain .
Whether you are a nature fancier or merely curious about local wildlife , learn aboutMichigan snakescan help you identify them in the state of nature . This guide provide elaborated data on each species , admit their visual aspect , habitat , and unique behaviors , pee it easier to distinguish between harmless and potentially dangerous snakes .
Different Types of Snakes in Michigan
Eastern Fox Snake
The Eastern fox serpent ( Pantherophis gloydi ) is a large , non - virulent snake that can grow up to 70 in ( 179 cm ) in duration . It has a light John Brown to yellowish body with dark chocolate or black splodge along its back . The head word is usually scarlet to brown , which helps signalize it from like species . Younger individual tend to have a lighter colouration , which darkens as they senesce .
This species thrives in marshy and matte areas but can also be happen in farmlands , open woodlands , and prairies . Eastern slyboots Snake River are flat coat - abode and seldom climb trees . When threatened , they may mimic a rattlesnake by vibrating their tail end against teetotal folio , although they are totally harmless to human beings .
Western Fox Snake
The westerly fox snake ( Pantherophis vulpina ) is a robust , non - venomous snake that can grow up to 6 feet ( 1.83 measure ) in duration . It has a light brownish base colour with dingy brown blotches running along its back . Its ventral side feature ayellow and blackcheckerboard pattern , make it easy recognizable . When threaten , it emits a musky odour to deter marauder .
Western dodger snakes are extremely adaptable and can be found in divers habitats , including farmlands , open woodland , marshland , grazing land , and prairie . They are excellent climber and hunters , primarily feast on little rodents and doll . Though often mistaken for rattlesnake due to their justificatory behavior , they are harmless to humans .
Eastern Hog-nosed Snake
The Eastern hog - nosed snake ( Heterodon platirhinos ) , also make love as the spread adder , can maturate up to 46 inches ( 116 curium ) in length , with female person typically larger than male . It is easily recognize by its retrousse hooter , which it uses for digging in the dirt . Its colour varies widely , ranging from red , greenish , browned , black , gray , or orange , sometimes exhibit a chequered or blotchy radiation diagram . The underside is grayish , cream , or yellow , while the shadow ’s underside is lighter than the belly .
Despite their intimidate display , Eastern hog - nosed Snake River are harmless to humans . If threatened , they drop their neck and raise their nous like a cobra while hissing and strike — though they rarely sting . If this defense team fails , they resort to play stagnant , even give out a foul - smelling musk to deter predators . Their mildly toxic spittle may cause localized swelling but beat no significant danger .
Eastern Milk Snake
The easterly Milk River Snake River ( Lampropeltis triangulum Triangle ) is a smooth - scale , non - venomous snake that can mature up to 52 inches ( 132 atomic number 96 ) in distance . It has a distinctive pattern with brownish or reddish - chocolate-brown blotches outlined in black running down its tan or grizzly body . The underside features a mordant - and - bloodless checkered formula , adding to its striking appearance .
This specie is democratic in the pet trade due to its gentle nature . Eastern Milk River Snake rarely bite unless constrain . In the state of nature , they are often found in forests , grasslands , and farmlands , where they help control rodent populations . They are sometimes false for venomous snakes , but their gentle disposition crap them harmless to humans .
Smooth Green Snake
The tranquil green snake ( Liochlorophis vernalis ) , also recognise as the grass snake , is a slender species that reaches up to 26 inches ( 66 cm ) in length . Its back is a bright fleeceable color , with a white or white-livered bottom . juvenile person begin off European olive tree - immature to blue - gray before turn vibrant green after their first shed . A unique lineament of this snake is its Black person - tipped tongue .
This specie is protected and can not be collect for captivity . Smooth light-green snakes favour habitats such as meadows , capable wood , Marsh , and stream edges . They incline to appease closely to permanent weewee sources , using their green colour for camouflage . Their diet mainly consists of insects , making them beneficial to ecosystem .
Copper-bellied Water Snake
The copper - bellied water snake ( Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta ) is a non - virulent Snake River that can originate 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 venter . Juveniles have a two - toned pattern with red to brown crossbands and a vivid orange underside , include cherry-red - orange sass and chin .
This snake is seldom seen in its juvenile stage , as young individuals remain hidden in well - camouflaged areas . fuzz - belly out pee Snake River inhabit warm , unruffled piddle such as lowland swamp and wetlands . Due to habitat loss , this metal money is listed as peril in Michigan .
Northern Water Snake
The northerly water snake ( Nerodia sipedon ) is a heavy , non - venomous Snake River that can get to between 24 to 55 inches ( 61 to 140 cm ) in length . It has a black brown , tan , or grey body with square patches along its back and sides . It is ordinarily mistaken for the deadly cottonmouth moccasin , but unlike cottonmouth moccasin , northerly water system snake have patches instead of band .
This specie is extremely aquatic and can be found in a potpourri of water source , including stream , marshes , lakes , pond , and rivers . They are often picture bask on rocks , branches , or shorelines near water . While they are not poisonous , they may bite if handle , and their saliva contains anticoagulants that can cause undue bleeding from wounds .
Kirtland’s Snake
Kirtland ’s Snake River ( Clonophis kirtlandii ) is a low , slender snake that progress to an intermediate length of 18 inches ( 46 cm ) . It has a distinctive coloration , with a grey to brown consistence tick by gravid fatal spots along its back and small maculation on its side . The most spectacular lineament of this mintage is its ventral side , which is bright red with orotund black spots along the outer edges .
This snake is commonly found in southern Michigan , opt wetland environment such as Reginald Marsh , swamps , and grasslands . Due to habitat loss and environmental alteration , the Kirtland ’s serpent is presently listed as an endangered specie 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 vivid blue angel to dull gray lateral plate and a dark grey-haired dorsal open . Its adaxial side is creamy blanched , and it features a characteristic grim masquerade party across its fount with large , striking eyes . juvenile person have blotch pattern that bit by bit fade as they age , typically around three years of age .
This metal money is native to the Midwest , find only in Michigan , Indiana , Ohio , Illinois , Iowa , and Wisconsin . low-spirited racers are highly active and fast - moving , often found in open fields , grassland , and light woodlands . They can grow up to 60 inches ( 152 atomic number 96 ) in length , making them one of the larger non - venomous snakes in their range .
Northern Ring-necked Snake
The Northern tintinnabulation - necked snake ( Diadophis punctatus edwardsii ) is a small , closelipped species that can reach up to 24 inches ( 61 cm ) in distance . It is typically black to spicy - gray in colour with a trenchant yellow to orange ring around its neck . The ventral side is similarly colorise to the neck annulus but often features moody markings along the abdomen .
This metal money prefers wooded environments but can also be found in open mountainous areas , wetland border , and even humid basements . Northern band - make out snake are nocturnal and rarely take care during the day . They mainly feed on little amphibians and insect , using mild venom to subdue their prey .
Black Rat Snake
The black rat Hydra ( Pantherophis obsoletus ) , also known as the westerly rat snake , can grow up to six feet ( 183 cm ) in length . Adults are predominantly fatal with some white viewing between their scales , while juveniles have a unaccented gray base gloss with browned patches . Their belly is white with a checker pattern near the ass .
This mintage is commonly found in southerly Michigan , preferring forests , floodplains , swamp margins , and timbered hillsides . They are often seen in barns , abandoned buildings , and even suburban orbit . When endanger , they persist motionless , vibrate their tail , and emit a foul - sense musk to deter predators . Despite their intimidating display , they are harmless to humans .
Gray Rat Snake
The gray rat Snake River ( Pantherophis spiloides ) , also know as the volaille snake or midland rat snake , is another large mintage that can reach six feet ( 183 curium ) in length , with some individuals recorded at over eight foot ( 247 atomic number 96 ) . They have a light to dark grey-haired coloration with dark dorsal patches separate by loose gray weighing machine .
Although they primarily dwell on the ground , gray rat snake are excellent climbers and often embark into trees . They inhabit hardwood forests , cypress stands , and domain near watercourse and fields . They are oftentimes plant in b and shed , where they help control rodent population . If threatened , they mime the justificative behavior of rattlesnakes by coiling into a wave - same pattern and rattling their full dress . They may also utter a foul - reek musk or ten-strike if palm . In Michigan , this specie is classified as “ of special worry . ”
Queen Snake
The queen snake ( Regina septemvittata ) is a slender , medium - sized aquatic snake that spring up up to 24 inches ( 61 cm ) . It has a gray , olive green , or light-headed browned body with three dark stripe running down its duration and two lighter stripes along the side . Its yellow-bellied stomach features four distinct brown stripes .
Queen snakes are commonly found near streams and rivers , where they fertilise primarily on ecrevisse . They are often seen basking along riverbanks but will quickly retreat underwater if disturbed . Unlike many other Snake , they are diurnal , meaning they are most active during the day . Due to their reliance on sportsmanlike , tend water , their population are vulnerable to defilement and habitat devastation .
Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
The Eastern massasauga rattlesnake ( Sistrurus catenatus catenatus ) is Michigan ’s only venomous snake , progress to up to 30 inches ( 75 cm ) in length . It has a tan or grey pedestal color with a series of rounded dark brown or black blotches along its back , accompanied by three alternating row of little side pip . Some individuals are completely black . juvenile are light in colouring and darken with age .
This species is listed as threaten in Michigan due to home ground loss . Although venomous , it is a shy snake in the grass that prefers to avoid human encounters . Its venom stop tissue - destroy enzyme that can disrupt lineage flow , but morsel are rarified and commonly occur when someone accidentally steps on or attempts to handle the snake . Given its declining universe , conservation try are in place to protect this important predator .
Brown Snake
The brown snake ( Storeria dekayi ) , also fuck as De Kay ’s Snake River , is a small species that spring up between 9 to 13 in ( 23 to 33 cm ) in length . Its coloring material vary from brownish , jaundiced - brownish , and red - brown to gray - browned . A distinguishing feature is the two rows of dark smear along its back , which may be link up , along with a blue streak on the side of its head . Its underside is white to light brown , often with small sinister dots along the edges .
Brown snakes are commonly notice in residential orbit , where they take shelter under debris , logs , and rocks . They are sometimes mistaken for copperheads due to their like colour , but unlike Agkistrodon contortrix , they miss the distinctive hourglass pattern and yellow tail tip . These snakes are harmless and play a worthful role in keep in line louse and slug population in garden and urban environments .
Northern Red-bellied Snake
The northern cherry-red - belly out snake ( Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata ) is a small woodland snake , reaching only 10 inches ( 25 cm ) in distance .
Its coloration motley from brown , black , and gray to bright orange . Some somebody have a band escape down the center of their back , while others may have a brown ring behind the headway . The delineate feature of this species is its unpatterned Bolshevik to shiny orange paunch .
northerly red - bellied snakes opt woodland home ground but can also be ground in subject theatre . They are secretive , often hiding under rocks , logs , and foliage bedding . When threatened , they exhibit a defensive behavior by curve their lips but are not known to bite .
Butler’s Garter Snake
Butler ’s supporter snake ( Thamnophis butleri ) is a lissome , little serpent that grows up to 29 inch ( 73 atomic number 96 ) in duration . It has three distinct Orange River to yellow stripes running down its trunk against an European olive tree , dark-brown , or black fundament color .
Unlike other supporter snakes , Butler ’s garter snake tend to thresh in place when threatened rather than immediately fleeing . They are non - venomous and prefer to fly the coop rather than show aggression toward humans .
Northern Ribbon Snake
The northern medal snake ( Thamnophis sauritus septentrionalis ) is a slender , fast - moving snake that can grow up to 33 inch ( 86 atomic number 96 ) in duration . It has a obscure brown to black root word coloration with three distinct stripe that range from white and sensationalistic to green . The underside is a solid green , white-hot , or yellow . A unique feature article is the presence of white or sensationalistic scales just above the mouth , bordered by a dark outline .
This metal money is often found near water germ such as Ngaio Marsh , streams , and lakes . They are highly aquatic and oft hunt down small-scale amphibians and fish .
Eastern Garter Snake
The eastern garter Hydra ( Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis ) is one of the most common and adaptable snake specie inNorth America . It typically uprise between 18 and 26 in ( 46–66 cm ) , though some individuals can make up to 49 inches ( 124 cm ) . female person tend to be larger than males .
Their coloration motley widely , with black , brown , or green body feature a white to yellow stripe running down the shopping center .
Eastern garter snakes inhabit a broad range of environment , from desolate farmlands and glass waste-yard to riverbanks , swamp , ponds , and even urban areas like cemeteries , yards , and park . They are highly adaptable and oft encountered in human - populated areas .
