Are there rattlesnakes in Michigan?
Short answer
Yes1 species
Timber rattlesnake: Only as rare records. GBIF holds 1 open record of the timber rattlesnake from Michigan, the latest from 1912, but there is no known population.
Eastern massasauga: Yes. The eastern massasauga lives in Michigan. Open records come from 45 counties.
Where in Michigan
- None recorded
- 1 species
- 2
- 3 to 4
- 5 or more
Rattlesnakes across the US
- Lives here
- Rare records
- Gone
- Not here
How to recognize one
Eastern massasauga Sistrurus catenatus
- Gray or brown with large dark blotches down the back
- Small rattle
- Nine large plates on top of the head
Medically significant. Listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. Bites are rare and need medical care.
Often mistaken for rattlesnakes
- Rattlesnake vs Gopher Snake Gopher snake: harmless
- Eastern Diamondback vs Timber Rattlesnake Timber rattlesnake: dangerous
- Timber Rattlesnake vs Copperhead Copperhead: medically significant
- Western Diamondback vs Mojave Rattlesnake Mojave rattlesnake: dangerous
- Pygmy Rattlesnake vs Hognose Snake Eastern hognose snake: harmless, lives in Michigan
Questions
Are there rattlesnakes in Michigan?
Yes. 1 species live in Michigan: Eastern massasauga.
What do rattlesnakes look like?
Dark diamonds with pale yellow edges down the back. Two pale diagonal stripes on each side of the face. Thick body and a rattle on the tail.