Venomous snakes in Indiana
Venomous snakes living in Indiana
3species, plus 2 with rare records
Timber rattlesnake, Copperhead, Eastern massasauga. A bite from the timber rattlesnake is a medical emergency.
How to recognize them
Timber rattlesnakeDangerous52 records, 7 counties
CopperheadMedically significant102 records, 17 counties
Eastern massasaugaMedically significant82 records, 17 counties
Timber rattlesnake Crotalus horridus
- Dark V- or chevron-shaped bands across the back
- Black tail ending in a rattle
- Yellow, tan or dark phases; some are almost black
Copperhead Agkistrodon contortrix
- Copper to tan body with dark hourglass bands: wide on the sides, narrow on the spine
- Plain coppery head with no pattern
- Young snakes have a bright yellow-green tail tip
Eastern massasauga Sistrurus catenatus
- Gray or brown with large dark blotches down the back
- Small rattle
- Nine large plates on top of the head
Every venomous snake species known from the US is on this site.
Counties with records
- None recorded
- 1 species
- 2
- 3 to 4
- 5 or more
Active months
Rare records
- Rare records Cottonmouth 1 open record
- Rare records Western massasauga 3 open records, latest 1936
Harmless snakes people mistake for them
- Copperhead vs Northern Water Snake Northern water snake: harmless
- Copperhead vs Rat Snake Rat snake: harmless
- Copperhead vs Milk Snake Milk snake: harmless
- Copperhead vs Hognose Snake Eastern hognose snake: harmless
Water snakeHarmlessHarmless
Northern water snakeHarmlessHarmless
Diamondback water snakeHarmlessHarmless
Eastern hognose snakeHarmlessHarmless
Rat snakeHarmlessHarmless
Milk snakeHarmlessHarmless
Gopher snakeHarmlessHarmless
Quick answers
- Lives here Are there rattlesnakes in Indiana?
- Lives here Are there copperheads in Indiana?
- Rare records Are there cottonmouths in Indiana?
Questions
How many venomous snakes are in Indiana?
3 species live in the state: Timber rattlesnake, Copperhead and Eastern massasauga.
Which venomous snakes in Indiana are dangerous?
Timber rattlesnake, Copperhead and Eastern massasauga: a bite is a medical emergency.
When are venomous snakes most active in Indiana?
Most open records fall in June to August.
Which harmless snakes get mistaken for venomous ones in Indiana?
Northern water snake, Rat snake, Milk snake and Eastern hognose snake. See the side-by-side comparisons below.