Michigan Snakes: Identification Guide With Pictures

Venom: “Eastern massasauga rattlesnake (VENOMOUS).” (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

Range: The Eastern Massasauga occurs throughout the Lower Peninsula and on Bois Blanc Island, Mackinac County. There are no records for this or any other venomous snake in the Upper Peninsula.

Habitat: The Eastern Massasauga, the only venomous species of snake in Michigan, inhabits marshes and swamps, though they often wander into upland meadows and woods in summer. (Michigan State University Extension)

Venom: “Seventeen of these species are nonvenomous, with the only venomous snake being the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.” (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

Range: This species occurs in the southern and western counties of Michigan's Lower Peninsula; though their numbers appear to be declining in the south, Blue Racers may be becoming more widespread in the northwestern Lower Peninsula. Records also exist for Menominee County in the Upper Peninsula.

Habitat: Blue Racers live in a variety of habitats, such as open woods, meadows, abandoned farmlands, raspberry thickets, and the edges of lakes and marshes. (Michigan State University Extension)

Venom: “Seventeen of these species are nonvenomous, with the only venomous snake being the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.” (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

Habitat: The Brown Snake is secretive and is usually found in moist locations hiding under flat objects. (Michigan State University Extension)

Venom: “Seventeen of these species are nonvenomous, with the only venomous snake being the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.” (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

Habitat: This snake prefers moist meadows, marshes and the grassy edges of lakes and streams. (Michigan State University Extension)

Venom: “Seventeen of these species are nonvenomous, with the only venomous snake being the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.” (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

Range: The Copper-bellied Water Snake is extremely rare in Michigan and is now found in only a few locations in the southern one-third of the Lower Peninsula. Most recent records are in Hillsdale and st. Joseph counties.

Habitat: Copper -bellied Water Snakes are usually found near streams, woodland ponds and river-bottom swamps. (Michigan State University Extension)

Venom: “Seventeen of these species are nonvenomous, with the only venomous snake being the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.” (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

Habitat: Flat, marshy or partially drained marsh country is the habitat of the Eastern Fox Snake. (Michigan State University Extension)

Venom: “Seventeen of these species are nonvenomous, with the only venomous snake being the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.” (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

Habitat: Woodlands, meadows, marshes, lake edges, debris piles and suburban backyards are all homes for this tolerant species. (Michigan State University Extension)

Venom: “Seventeen of these species are nonvenomous, with the only venomous snake being the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.” (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

Habitat: The Hog-nosed Sn*e is usually found in sandy areas, especially in the open, sandy woods of the northern and western Lower Peninsula. (Michigan State University Extension)

Venom: “Seventeen of these species are nonvenomous, with the only venomous snake being the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.” (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

Habitat: These secretive snakes are found in woodlands, fields, marshes and farmlands. (Michigan State University Extension)

Venom: “Seventeen of these species are nonvenomous, with the only venomous snake being the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.” (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

Range: In Michigan, the Black Rat Snake occurs in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula. This species is locally common in the southwestern counties, but it is rare and declining over most of its Michigan range. This is a species of "special concern" and may not be captured or killed.

Habitat: These snakes are most common in and near woodlands. They are quite arboreal and often forage and bask at considerable heights above the ground. (Michigan State University Extension)

Venom: “Seventeen of these species are nonvenomous, with the only venomous snake being the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.” (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

Range: Kirtland 's Snake is an extremely rare species in Michigan. It has been found in a very few localities in the southern one-third of the Lower Peninsula. Most of the specimens found in Michigan have been reported from the two southernmost tiers of counties.

Habitat: This rarely seen snake occurs in a variety of moist habitats, which include wet meadows, tamarack swamps, open swamp-forest and vacant city lots. (Michigan State University Extension)

Venom: “Seventeen of these species are nonvenomous, with the only venomous snake being the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.” (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

Range: This snake is found statewide except for the extreme southern edge of the Lower Peninsula. Although it may be rare or absent in many areas within its range, this snake can be locally abundant in some places.

Habitat: The Northern Red-bellied Snake can be en- countered in a variety of habitats, including open woodland, meadows and abandoned farmland. (Michigan State University Extension)

Venom: “Seventeen of these species are nonvenomous, with the only venomous snake being the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.” (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

Habitat: This species inhabits the grassy edges of marshes, ponds, lakes and streams. (Michigan State University Extension)

Venom: “Seventeen of these species are nonvenomous, with the only venomous snake being the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.” (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

Range: Although the Northern Ring-necked Snake has been found throughout Michigan, it is generally rare and occurs in widely scattered and isolated populations. It can be common on some of the offshore islands in northern Lake Michigan.

Habitat: This species prefers moist woodlands. It is very secretive and is usually found hiding under flat objects or the bark of dead trees. (Michigan State University Extension)

Venom: “Seventeen of these species are nonvenomous, with the only venomous snake being the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.” (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

Range: Northern Water Snakes occur throughout Michigan but are scarce or absent from many parts of the Upper Peninsula, particularly the western section. Some islands, such as Beaver Island in norther~ Lake Michigan, support large populations.

Habitat: This species is usually found in or near ponds, lakes, streams or rivers. (Michigan State University Extension)

Venom: “Seventeen of these species are nonvenomous, with the only venomous snake being the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.” (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

Range: The Queen Snake is uncommon to rare and occurs in scattered locations throughout the southern half of the Lower Peninsula, excluding portions of the Thumb area. An isolated population reportedly occurs on Bois Blanc Island in western Lake Huron.

Habitat: The Queen Snake is most often seen basking in the branches of shrubs that overhang shallow, rocky streams, but it also frequents the edges of ponds or canals. (Michigan State University Extension)

Venom: “Seventeen of these species are nonvenomous, with the only venomous snake being the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.” (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

Range: Historically, Smooth Green Snakes have been found and recorded throughout Michigan. They remain locally common in the northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula but are rare and found only in widely scattered locations in the southern Lower Peninsula.

Habitat: These snakes are usually found in open, grassy places such as meadows, pastures and marsh edges. (Michigan State University Extension)

Venom: “Seventeen of these species are nonvenomous, with the only venomous snake being the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.” (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

Habitat: The Western Fox Snake prefers open woodlands and woodland edges, fields and dune areas. (Michigan State University Extension)