Michigan snakes: ID chart
18 snakes, 1 venomous (listed first). Last checked November 3, 2026.
The venomous snake comes first: Eastern Massasauga 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 Michigan. The chart prints on letter or A4 paper; on screen, open any name on the Michigan snakes page for photos, range and sources.
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Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
Sistrurus catenatus
Venomous
The Eastern Massasauga occurs throughout the Lower Peninsula and on Bois Blanc Island, Mackinac County …
Blue Racer
Coluber constrictor foxii
Non-venomous
This species occurs in the southern and western counties of Michigan's Lower Peninsula; though their numbers …
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Brown Snake
Storeria dekayi
Non-venomous
Brown Snakes are found throughout the Lower Peninsula of Michigan and in the southern tip of the Upper …
Butler's Garter Snake
Thamnophis butleri
Non-venomous
Butler's Garter Snake occurs in scattered populations in the eastern and south central Lower Peninsula of …
Copper-bellied Water Snake
Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta
Non-venomous
The Copper-bellied Water Snake is extremely rare in Michigan and is now found in only a few locations in the …
Eastern Fox Snake
Pantherophis gloydi
Non-venomous
The Eastern Fox Snake ranges from Saginaw Bay south along the coastal Great Lakes area to western Lake Erie.
Eastern Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis
Non-venomous
The Eastern Garter Snake is probably the most common Michigan snake and occurs throughout the state.
Eastern Hog-nosed Snake
Heterodon platirhinos
Non-venomous
Although it occurs over much of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, in the Upper Peninsula the Eastern Hog-nosed …
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Eastern Milk Snake
Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum
Non-venomous
This species occurs throughout Michigan's Lower Peninsula, and there are isolated records of its occurrence …
Gray Rat Snake
Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta
Non-venomous
In Michigan, the Black Rat Snake occurs in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula …
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Kirtland's Snake
Clonophis kirtlandii
Non-venomous
Kirtland 's Snake is an extremely rare species in Michigan …
Northern Red-bellied Snake
Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata
Non-venomous
This snake is found statewide except for the extreme southern edge of the Lower Peninsula …
Northern Ribbon Snake
Thamnophis sauritus septentrionalis
Non-venomous
The Northern Ribbon Snake occurs throughout Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
Northern Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus edwardsi
Non-venomous
Although the Northern Ring-necked Snake has been found throughout Michigan, it is generally rare and occurs …
Northern Water Snake
Nerodia sipedon sipedon
Non-venomous
Northern Water Snakes occur throughout Michigan but are scarce or absent from many parts of the Upper …
Queen Snake
Regina septemvittata
Non-venomous
The Queen Snake is uncommon to rare and occurs in scattered locations throughout the southern half of the …
Smooth Green Snake
Liochlorophis vernalis
Non-venomous
Historically, Smooth Green Snakes have been found and recorded throughout Michigan …
Western Fox Snake
Elaphe vulpina
Non-venomous
The Western Fox Snake occurs in the central and western Upper Peninsula.
A picture cannot confirm what an animal is or that it is safe. Never handle a wild animal. Sources: Michigan Snakes: A Field Guide and Pocket Reference (MSU Extension Bulletin E-2000) (Michigan State University Extension); Snakes (Michigan DNR species page) (Michigan Department of Natural Resources); Eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Michigan DNR species page) (Michigan Department of Natural Resources); DNR urges public to give eastern massasauga rattlesnake its space (Michigan Department of Natural Resources). stateswildlife.com/michigan/snakes/