Indiana snakes: ID chart

36 snakes, 4 venomous (listed first). Last checked November 3, 2026.

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The 4 venomous snakes come first: Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Eastern Massasauga, Timber Rattlesnake. The rest follow from A to Z, each with a photo where we have one and a short note on where it lives in Indiana. The chart prints on letter or A4 paper; on screen, open any name on the Indiana snakes page for photos, range and sources.

Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

Venomous

Only found in southern half of the state.

Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon piscivorus

Venomous

Only found in one small area in southwestern Indiana.

Eastern Massasauga

Sistrurus catenatus

Venomous

Northern third of Indiana.

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

Venomous

South central Indiana.

Blue Racer

Coluber constrictor foxii

Non-venomous

Bullsnake

Pituophis catenifer sayi

Non-venomous

Butler's Gartersnake

Thamnophis butleri

Non-venomous

Chicago Gartersnake

Thamnophis sirtalis semifasciatus

Non-venomous

Common Ribbonsnake

Thamnophis saurita saurita

Non-venomous

Copper-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta

Non-venomous

Dekay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Non-venomous

Diamond-backed Watersnake

Nerodia rhombifer

Non-venomous

Eastern Black Kingsnake

Lampropeltis nigra

Non-venomous

Eastern Foxsnake

Pantherophis vulpinus

Non-venomous

Eastern Gartersnake

Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis

Non-venomous

Eastern Hog-nosed Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Non-venomous

Statewide in Indiana.

Eastern Milksnake

Lampropeltis triangulum

Non-venomous

Gray Ratsnake

Pantherophis spiloides

Non-venomous

Kirtland's Snake

Clonophis kirtlandii

Non-venomous

Midland Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon pleuralis

Non-venomous

Statewide in Indiana.

Midwestern Wormsnake

Carphophis amoenus helenae

Non-venomous

Northern Ribbonsnake

Thamnophis saurita septentrionalis

Non-venomous

Northern Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus edwardsii

Non-venomous

Northern Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon sipedon

Non-venomous

Statewide in Indiana.

Plains Gartersnake

Thamnophis radix

Non-venomous

Prairie Kingsnake

Lampropeltis calligaster

Non-venomous

Queensnake

Regina septemvittata

Non-venomous

Red-bellied Mudsnake

Farancia abacura

Non-venomous

Red-bellied Snake

Storeria occipitomaculata

Non-venomous

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Non-venomous

Scarletsnake

Cemophora coccinea

Non-venomous

Smooth Greensnake

Opheodrys vernalis

Non-venomous

No confirmed photo of Southeastern Crowned Snake

Southeastern Crowned Snake

Tantilla coronata

Non-venomous

Southern Black Racer

Coluber constrictor priapus

Non-venomous

Western Ribbonsnake

Thamnophis proximus

Non-venomous

Western Smooth Earthsnake

Virginia valeriae elegans

Non-venomous

A picture cannot confirm what an animal is or that it is safe. Never handle a wild animal. Sources: Reptiles of Indiana List (Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish & Wildlife); Amphibians and Reptiles FAQs (Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish & Wildlife); Common Gartersnake (Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish & Wildlife); Common Watersnake (Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish & Wildlife); Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish & Wildlife); Common Snakes of Indiana State Parks (brochure) (Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of State Parks); and others listed on the web page. stateswildlife.com/indiana/snakes/