List of snakes of Indiana

All 39 snake taxa[1] that are known to naturally occur in Indiana[2][3] are tabulated below, along with their population ranges in the state,[4][5] conservation status,[6][7] and level of danger they pose to humans (upon biting them).[4]

Photo Scientific Name Common Name State Distribution Conservation Status Threat to Humans
Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen Northern Copperhead southern 1/2 unknown moderate
Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma Western Cottonmouth Dubois and Harrison counties state endangered high
Carphophis amoenus helenae Midwestern Worm Snake southern 1/2 unknown minimal
Cemophora coccinea copei Northern Scarlet Snake Floyd county state endangered minimal
Clonophis kirtlandii Kirtland's Snake everywhere but southwest state endangered minimal
Coluber constrictor foxii Blue Racer northern 2/3 common minimal
Coluber constrictor priapus Southern Black Racer southern 1/3 common minimal
Crotalus horridus Timber Rattlesnake southern 1/3 state endangered very high
Diadophis punctatus edwardsii Northern Ringneck Snake everywhere but central 2/3 uncommon minimal
Farancia abacura reinwardtii Western Mud Snake southwestern tip state endangered (extirpated) minimal
Heterodon platirhinos Eastern Hognose Snake throughout uncommon minimal
Lampropeltis calligaster calligaster Prairie Kingsnake southwest, southcentral, and along western border uncommon minimal
Lampropeltis nigra Black Kingsnake southwestern 1/3 common minimal
Lampropeltis triangulum syspila Red Milk Snake southwest common minimal
Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum Eastern Milk Snake everywhere but southwest common minimal
Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta Copperbelly Water Snake southern 1/3 and northeast corner state endangered, federally threatened minimal
Nerodia rhombifer rhombifer Northern Diamondback Water Snake southwestern corner abundant minimal
pic unavailable Nerodia sipedon pleuralis Midland Water Snake southern 1/2 common minimal
Nerodia sipedon sipedon Northern Water Snake throughout common minimal
Opheodrys aestivus aestivus Northern Rough Green Snake southern 1/3 special concern minimal
Opheodrys vernalis blanchardi Western Smooth Green Snake northwest state endangered minimal
Pantherophis obsoletus Black Rat Snake throughout common minimal
Pantherophis ramspotti Western Fox Snake northwestern corner uncommon minimal
Pantherophis spiloides Gray Rat Snake southwestern corner common minimal
Pituophis catenifer sayi Bullsnake northwest uncommon minimal
Regina septemvittata Queen Snake everywhere but southwestern corner uncommon minimal
Sistrurus catenatus catenatus Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake northern 1/3 state endangered, federal candidate high
Storeria dekayi dekayi Northern Brown Snake northeast corner abundant minimal
pic unavailable Storeria dekayi wrightorum Midland Brown Snake throughout abundant minimal
Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata Northern Redbelly Snake everywhere but central 2/3 uncommon minimal
Tantilla coronata Southeastern Crowned Snake Floyd and Clark counties state endangered minimal
Thamnophis butleri Butler's Garter Snake northeast state endangered minimal
Thamnophis proximus proximus Western Ribbon Snake everywhere but southeast and eastcentral special concern minimal
Thamnophis radix Plains Garter Snake northwest uncommon minimal
Thamnophis sauritus sauritus Eastern Ribbon Snake southwest and southcentral common minimal
pic unavailable Thamnophis sauritus septentrionalis Northern Ribbon Snake northern 2/3 common minimal
pic unavailable Thamnophis sirtalis semifasciatus Chicago Garter Snake Porter county unknown minimal
Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis Eastern Garter Snake throughout abundant minimal
pic unavailable Virginia valeriae elegans Western Earth Snake southwestern 1/3 uncommon minimal

References

  1. Reptile Database, The Reptile Database, Retrieved April 23, 2013
  2. Conant, Roger, and Collins, Joseph T. (1998). A field guide to reptiles and amphibians: eastern and central North America (4th ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin. p.616. ISBN 0395904528
  3. Behler, John L., and King, F. W. (1979). The Audubon Society field guide to North American reptiles and amphibians (Chanticleer Press ed.). New York: Knopf. p.743. ISBN 0394508246
  4. 4.0 4.1 Minton, Sherman A., Jr. (2001). Amphibians and reptiles of Indiana (Rev. 2nd ed.). Indianapolis: Indiana Academy of Science. p.404. ISBN 1883362105
  5. MacGowan, Brian J., and Kingsbury, Bruce A. (2001). Snakes of Indiana. West Lafayette: Purdue University. p.51. ASIN B0006RR7OY
  6. Reptiles of Indiana, Wildlife Hotline, Retrieved April 23, 2013
  7. Indiana Herp Regulations, Indiana DNR, Retrieved April 23, 2013