They are strong swimmers and have been known to swim in the ocean. Jonathan and Jessica Hotham were on a 14-hour fishing trip at Cleveland Lake when they saw the Eastern massasauga rattlesnake-- Michigan’s only venomous snake -- going through the water. There are several lookalike snakes in Michigan, including the Eastern Milk Snake, the Eastern Fox Snake, the Eastern Hog Nose Snake and the Northern Water Snake. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources lists 17 separate species that live within our state. 1948. Blue Racer, photo by d charvat. Water snakes are not venomous, but will bite if cornered or handled. Michigan's only venomous snake is a rare sight for most state residents. Current as of: Reptiles are found throughout Michigan, although the only venomous species, the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, is seen only in the Lower Peninsula. If there is still or slow-moving water, northern water snakes may be present. Water snakes are abundant in the southern and eastern United States, according to watersnake.net. Venomous snakes in Michigan: Eastern Massasauga; Michigan is home to a single species of venomous snake. They have large jowls, due to their venom glands, and \"cat-eye\" pupils. According to the University of Michigan’s Animal Diversity Web (ADW), the northern water snake is happy to be near any type of significant water source, such as rivers, lakes, ponds and marshes, although they prefer more quiet, relaxed, waters. Northern water snakes (Nerodia sipedon) are the more common of the two species, living along the shores of lakes and streams. Habitat and Habits: These snakes inhabit the shorelines of lakes, ponds, or streams. Our goal is to document their distribution and help measure changes or … Univ. Water moccasins, or cottonmouth snakes, are usually found in streams, marshes, swamps and the shores of ponds and lakes. Water moccasins can be up to 6 ft (2 m) long and have: Symptoms of a cottonmouth bite usually appear from minutes to hours after a bite and can include: If you think you have been bitten by a water moccasin,call 911 or other emergency services immediately. Choose the one ("a" or "b") that better fits the snake and proceed to the next number indicated and compare those two. The diverse habitat found in Indiana is well-suited for a host of snakes to call it their home. Due to its decreasing numbers, the Black Rat Snake is protected by Michigan law. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Natural habitat. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. If you want to throw me a bone for years of Michigan goodness, click the Patreon button below! There are many harmless watersnakes (genus Nerodia) that are frequently confused with venomous Water Moccasins a.k.a. Lansing, Mich. (WLNS) With the weather getting warmer, one of Michigan’s most venomous snakes is coming out of hiding. He decided not to touch it. Soon after, he determined the snake was an Eastern massasauga rattlesnake – Michigan’s only venomous snake and rattlesnake, according to the state Department of Natural Resources. Their lifespan in the wild is unknown. Needless persecution by … Range and Status: Northern water snakes are found throughout the Lower Peninsula and the eastern Upper Peninsula. Black Rat Snake. Water moccasins can be up to 6 ft (2 m) long and have: Distinctive white coloring inside the mouth. Change ). They are not venomous. Water moccasins (cottonmouths), which are venomous, do not occur anywhere near Michigan. Northern Water Snake, photo by Brian Laskowski. … There are seventeen species in the state, only one of which is venomous (Eastern Massasauga). Since at least 1992, this species, along with N. fasciata, has been introduced in California, where they are considered invasive species likely to compete with native giant garter snake Thamnophis gigas. Let's get to know them! These snakes are also protected by state law because they are rare. The Michigan Herp Atlas began in 2004 in an effort to collect observational data about Michigan's amphibians and reptiles. Michigan Snakes Pictures and Identification Help Garter Snakes. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. There are 8 to 48 babies in a litter. Water moccasins have dark stripes by each nostril and pale snouts, which can be helpful in identifying features. Black Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta) Description: A large shiny black snake with a white chin … Range lifespan Status: captivity 115 (high) months; Average lifespan Status: captivity 9.6 years AnAge; How do they behave? To use the key, start at the first set of paired descriptions and compare the two sets of characteristics given. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. One of the snakes you can see in Michigan is the Black Rat Snake. AnimalSake provides a picture gallery of the species of snakes found in Indiana. Post-snake, my husband and I explore Lake Michigan’s shoreline further. Occasional Papers. Severe, immediate pain with rapid swelling. Where you'll find them: Throughout the Lower Peninsula and the eastern Upper Peninsula, mostly near bodies of water Northern Water Snake, photo by Brian Laskowski The Michigan Department of Natural Resources page on the Northern Water Snake says: Description: A water snake with dark bands or blotches on a light brown or gray background color. A single row of plates or scales on the undersurface of the snake, including the tail. The common watersnake is found throughout eastern and central North America, from southern Ontario and southern Quebec in the north, to Texas and Florida in the south. Some snakes inhabit very specific areas of the state. Females grow larger than males; most copperbellies over 30 inches long are females. The Northern Water Snake is often miss-identified as a venomous "Water Moccasin". They are strong swimmers and have been known to swim in the ocean. More Michigan snakes on Michigan in Pictures. Northern water snakes are sometimes mistaken for water moccasins due to both having a fondness of water, and are subsequently killed out of foolish and fearful phobias. 22. But of all the species inhabiting this place, only 4 are venomous. There can be no doubt that much of the difficulty is due to our lack of knowledge; for, unfortu- nately, the study of living snakes is not especially popular, and preserved … Michigan's only venomous snake is a rare sight for most state residents. In Michigan, about 18 species of snakes are found and they are actually very important to our ecosystem. The cottonmouth, also called a water moccasin, is a poisonous (venomous) snake found in southeastern and south central North America. Snakes of Michigan Because it is so far north, Michigan is not rich in snake species. Water snakes in the Nerodia genus are the other genus in the Natricinae subfamily, and two species of water snakes live in Michigan. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window). Michigan in Pictures posts a photo a day from the great state of Michigan. They enjoy basking in the sun so seek areas that are not overly shaded. The Cottonmouth Snake, the Massauga Rattlesnake and the Water Moccasin Snake are all venomous varieties of snake that reside in the state of Michigan. Eastern Massasaugas are incredibly secretive meaning that many people may never encounter one even though they are fairly widespread throughout the state. Learn how we develop our content. Northern Water Snakes have rows of half-moons on the belly and have a more pronounced blotched pattern on the back and sides (when dry, may look uniformly dark, but when wet usually the pattern is apparent). Northern water snakes are only social during the fall and spring after overwintering. You can most likely find this snake in the Southern Lower Peninsula. 35 Related Question Answers Found Can a Michigan rattlesnake kill you? a red-bellied water snake in southern Michigan has been known for many years, but its relation to the common water snake, Natrizrfasciata sipedon (L.), has never been satisfactorily deter- mined. Historically, they could be found in a variety of wetlands and nearby upland woods throughout the lower peninsula. According to … Discover (and save!) Check it out bigger and see more in Brian’s Michiganscapes slideshow. Size: 2 to 4 feet in length. The young are gray or brown with bold black bands. Some old adults may appear solid black or brown. It has a solid dark (usually black) back with a bright orange-red belly. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Scientific Name: Pantherophis obsoleta obsoleta Size: 40 – 101” (adult total length) making this the largest snake in the Great Lakes region! Distinctive white coloring inside the mouth. The once-rare occasion of finding Bull Sharks will likely become a common occurrence in the lake. Zool. Post-snake, my husband and I explore Lake Michigan’s shoreline further. Complete disclaimer, William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine, Sean P. Bush MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine, Envenomation Specialist. “I liked to go on the road and catch the blue racers and sort of scare my brothers,” she said. Boy's Book of Snakes: How to Recognize and Understand Them. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources page on the Northern Water Snake says: Description: A water snake with dark bands or blotches on a light brown or gray background color. They swim well, seeking food (frogs and fish) and safety in the water, and often bask on objects hanging over the water. Adult length: 10 to 24 inches. © Copyright 1995-2021 Regents of the University of Michigan. Status: Uncommon to rare, with many populations in southeastern Michigan suffering recent declines or extirpation. See more ideas about snake, reptiles, reptile snakes. ( Log Out /  They grow to a total length of 3 to 5 feet (91 to 152 cm). The Northern Water Snake is NOT VENOMOUS. Numbness or tingling around the mouth, tongue, scalp, feet, or the bite area. No, what most may think is a water moccasin is according to the Michigan DNR a Northern Water Snake. They’re harmless to humans, and these might be the biggest snake you can find in any Michigan lake. Range and Status: Northern water snakes are found throughout the Lower Peninsula and the eastern Upper Peninsula. They are one of the most frequently encountered snakes in places like Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi. But we are lucky to have a few of our most impressive species, such as the Blue Racer (Coluber constrictor foxii) and Eastern Fox Snake (Elaphe vulpina gloydi). They’re non-venomous. Because it is so far north, Michigan is not rich in snake species. They leave one, two, or three puncture marks on the skin, but you won't always see any marks. Retrouvez The Water Snakes of Southern Michigan et des millions de livres en stock sur Amazon.fr. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Achetez neuf ou d'occasion © 1995-2020 Healthwise, Incorporated. There are three venomous snakes that can be found in the Michigan area and they are dangerous snakes that should be avoided at all costs. Posted in animals, flickr, michigan, nature, photo, photography Tagged michigan, snake, water snake Leave a comment Michigan Snakes: Blue Racer (Coluber constrictor foxi) Posted on March 3, 2012 March 3, 2012 by Michigan in Pictures. The 17 snakes you might meet in Michigan. Adult length: 10 to 24 inches. Habitat of the northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon) includes ponds, lakes, river banks, drainage ditches, marshes, swamps, spillways, retention ponds and impoundments. Michigan (327): 1-12. Topic Overview. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! I am unable to shake our discovery, surprised—stupidly, I quickly decide—to have stumbled upon a northern water snake in a Great Lake. This snake belongs to the species Elaphe obsoleta obsolete. Noté /5. June 26, 2019, Author: Healthwise Staff Medical Review: William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine Sean P. 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