On this page, you can find an overview of snakes in Michigan. The list is separated into non-venomous and venomous snakes in Michigan.
There are 17 snake species in Michigan. The eastern massasauga snake is the only venomous snake in Michigan. Just click on any of the images or links below to learn more about each snake.
If you have encountered a snake in Michigan that is not yet on our list or that you cannot identify yourself, we’ll be happy to identify it for you. Simply take a picture of it and upload your picture, a quick description and the U.S. state where it was found here on our snake identification page.
List of venomous snakes in Michigan
The eastern massasauga is the only venomous snake in Michigan. The massasauga snake is listed as a species of special concern in Michigan and sightings of this secreative snake are rare. No fatailities have been recorded in over 50 years and bites are rare. Sightings of the last decased have been limited to the Lower Peninsula. This leaves the Upper Peninsula free of venomous snakes.
Sistrurus Catenatus – Massasauga Snake
List of non-venomous snakes in Michigan
Of the 16 non-venomous snake species in Michigan, three are species of the garter snake genus. Other common Michigan snakes are the North American racer, the common watersnake and the eastern fox snake.
Clonophis Kirtlandii – Kirtland’s Snake
Coluber Constrictor – Racer
Diadophis Punctatus – Ring-Necked Snake
Heterodon Platirhinos – Eastern Hognose Snake
Lampropeltis Triangulum – Milk Snake
Nerodia Erythrogaster – Plain-Bellied Water Snake
Nerodia Sipedon – Common Watersnake
Opheodrys Vernalis – Smooth Green Snake
Pantherophis Spiloides – Grey Rat Snake
Pantherophis Vulpinus – Eastern Fox Snake
Regina Septemvittata – Queen Snake
Storeria Dekayi – Brown Snake
Storeria Occipitomaculata – Redbelly Snake
Thamnophis Butleri – Butler’s Garter Snake
Thamnophis Sauritus – Ribbon Snake
