The most common snakes in northeast Indiana are garter snakes, which belong in the Thamnophis genus. Northeast Indiana's three Thamnophis snakes are the western ribbon snake, northern ribbon snake and eastern garter snake -- a subspecies of the common garter snake. All three garter snakes have dark skin with white or yellowish stripes on their dorsal region. Garter snakes live in forest, grassland and aquatic habitats. These snakes are also found in neighborhood gardens and backyards. Garter snakes are non-venomous and their diet includes rodents, amphibians and insects. The longest northeast Indiana garter snake is the eastern garter, which reaches lengths of 54 inches.
The northern water snake, or Nerodia sipedon sipedon, is the only northeast Indiana snake in the Nerodia genus, which are non-venomous snakes living in aquatic habitats. Most northern water snakes are found in slow-moving waters, including lakes and streams. This snake has brown scales with dark bands encircling its body. Northern water snakes are often confused with cottonmouths, a venomous snake species found in southwest Indiana. As adults, the northern water snake grows up to 40 inches long. These snakes dine on aquatic and semi-aquatic prey such as fish and amphibians.
Kirtland's snake, or Clonophis kirtlandii, is found throughout the entire state of Indiana, including the northeast region. This snake is the only snake in the Clonophis genus and named after Dr. Jared Kirtland, a famed American naturalist expert in the 1800s. A Kirtland's snake may be identified by the reddish-brown scales on its dorsal region; the dorsal region also features four rows of black spots. This snake is an endangered snake species in Indiana and Michigan, but has no federal protection at the date of this publication. Kirtland's snakes rarely bite; when threatened, this snake flattens its body and plays dead.
The only venomous snake in northeast Indiana is the eastern massasauga, or Sistrurus catenatus catenatus. Eastern massasaugas are rattlesnakes, meaning they have rattles attached to the end of their tails. This snake rattles its tail whenever it senses a potential predator. Eastern massasaugas features nine plate-like scales between their eyes. Like other venomous snakes, these snakes have elliptical-shaped pupils. While most eastern massasaugas are gray with brown splotches, some have solid black scales. In Indiana, the eastern massasauga is listed as endangered due to over-hunting and loss of habitat.