How to Identify and Avoid Poisonous Snakes of Indiana

When working in the garden last summer, I was bitten by a snake which quickly slithered away before I could get a good look at it. Although I didn't suffer a reaction and the snake was not venomous, it was a frightening moment. After that, I made sure that I knew how to identify poisonous snakes in Indiana. I also learned how to minimize the chances that I'd meet up with one. I should have known better and learned more about venomous and nonvenomous snakes beforehand.

There are four main species of poisonous snakes in Indiana. They include the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, the Cottonmouth, the Northern Copperhead and Timber Rattlesnakes. The very good news is that most of these snakes live in very specific areas of the state. However, many people who live in cities such as Indianapolis may visit an area of Indiana which is known for specific venomous snakes. Because of this is always a good idea to know how to identify and avoid poisonous snakes that may be located in the state - as well as which areas are likely to contain them.

Every single venomous snake in the Hoosier state tends to be broad and fat, generally seen as thicker than poisonous snakes found in many other states. For a look at the the Cottonmouth as well as the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, check out this YouTube video here .

Other tips to help figure out which snakes are likely to be poisonous? The pupils will always be vertical and not round (although a very nervous person is not likely to get close enough to notice this distinction). Again, this rule works only for snakes found in Indiana. To see a visual comparison of the pupils, check out this illustration here .

If you sight a snake in Indiana and the head looks wider than the body, move in the other direction. Although this is not a hard and fast rule, the heads of poisonous snakes found in Indiana will generally be shaped like a spade and be thicker and broader than the body. Nonvenomous snakes are likely to have a head which is not wider than the body. Visual identification, of course, is the best aid but sometimes it isn't possible to make out the patterns on a snake's body and it may be easier to notice if the head is broad or other distinguishing features.

It is extremely rare to find venomous snakes in Indiana except in very select locations. As noted before, I have encountered Copperheads in the southern hills of Indiana. They are rarely found, however, and the snake conservationist who alerted us to the snake's location was actually excited to encounter the snake. The rest of us weren't nearly as pleased. The Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake can be found in northern Indiana, primarily in wetlands.

Timber Rattlesnakes can be found in north-central Indiana hills. As recently as 2007, they were considered endangered but now it is possible for people to find them again. As their name implies, they are known by the sound of their rattles. However, they are not eager to encounter people and if you move away, you are unlikely to get bitten. Finally, the Northern Copperhead tends to be found in the hills of southern Indiana.

If you visit an area of Indiana which has venomous snakes, play it safe. Wear boots, preferably high-topped. Never stick your hand into a hole under a rock or into any crevice large enough to contain a snake. Since snakes can manage to get into some very narrow spaces, err on the side of caution. Wear thick gloves if you want to be safer. Keep in mind that snakes in Indiana often blend in with logs, rocks and trees so you'll want to try and see them before they see you. But realize that snakes, whether poisonous or not, want to stay away from people, minimizing your chances of a snake bite.

When walking near a creek, pond or river bordered by rocks, look for snakes which may be sunning themselves on those rocks. When the weather is a bit cool, snakes may try to get warmer by using the heat from the rocks. Of course, you'll also want step loudly on rocks which may have holes or crevices under them, alerting snakes that you are nearby. Otherwise, you could step off a rock and perhaps land on or near a snake, leading to a bite. With the proper precautions, the chances of getting bitten by poisonous snakes in Indiana are very slight. By the way, these same precautions can lower your odds of getting bitten by any snake.

Sources:
Purdue University photo of snake eyes, here
The Snakes of Indiana, Center for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation and Management here