Indiana Department of Natural Resources

COMMON WATERSNAKE: Indiana is home to over 30 species of snakes that occur in a variety of habitats across the state. Today, we are highlighting the common watersnake.

Common Watersnakes are the most widespread and common of all Indiana watersnakes. Common watersnakes vary in color, but are typically brownish or gray with dark crossbands. This species lives in a variety of aquatic habitats including lakes, ponds, swamps, and streams and may occur residential streams and retention ponds. They are often observed in the open basking on rocks and logs or swimming through the water. Fish and amphibians are a big part of their diet.

Common watersnakes are not venomous, but they are defensive and will bite and release foul-smelling musk when handled.

For more about Indiana's snakes, see on.IN.gov/snakes.

PLAIN'S GARTERSNAKE: Indiana is home to over 30 species of snakes that occur in a variety of habitats across the state. Today, we are highlighting the plains gartersnake.

Plain's gartersnakes are one of the three species of gartersnakes found in Indiana. While the species prefers open areas such as moist grasslands, it is sometimes found in vacant city lots and along railroad rights-of-way. In fact, nearly all recent records for plains gartersnakes in Indiana are from the developed region of Lake County in the northwest corner of the state.

While similar in appearance to other gartersnakes, the stripe on the plains gartersnake’s back tends to be more orange in color compared to similar gartersnake species in Indiana, which often have a yellow stripe on the back. Because of their rarity in the state, plains gartersnakes are listed as a species of special concern.

For more about Indiana's snakes, see on.IN.gov/snakes.

Photo by John Burris.

Photo 1: An adult smooth greensnake in someone's hand by Tom Berg. Photo 2: A smooth greensnake by John Burris.

SMOOTH GREENSNAKE: Indiana is home to over 30 species of snakes that occur in a variety of habitats across the state. Today, we are highlighting the smooth greensnake.

Smooth greensnakes are one of Indiana’s most strikingly colored snake species. Though not a backyard species, smooth greensnakes have been observed at several urban areas in the northwest corner of the state and may live along railroad lines and in remnant prairies that are surrounded by development.

This is a secretive snake that often hides beneath cover on the ground. THE SMOOTH GREENSNAKE IS HARMLESS, eating mostly insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. Due to the snake’s rarity and small area of occurrence in Indiana, it is listed as state endangered.

For more about Indiana's snakes, see on.IN.gov/snakes.

Photo 1: An adult smooth greensnake in someone's hand by Tom Berg. Photo 2: A smooth greensnake by John Burris.

Celebrate pollinators, hike with your dog or look for owls on a night hike, June 20-21. Find more Indiana DNR activities at events.IN.gov/dnr.
Sat, June 20
• 6th Annual Pollinatorpalooza, Prophetstown State Park, 10a ET, https://ow.ly/CVrO50ZcSNl
• Firefly Night, Starve Hollow State Recreation Area, 7:30p ET, https://ow.ly/UeEc50ZcSNn
Sun., June 21
• Hound Hike, Ouabache State Park, 2p ET, https://ow.ly/vxfU50ZcSNm
• Tree ID Hike, Fort Harrison State Park, 10a ET, https://ow.ly/SoE850ZcSNk

UPDATE: A tornado cut a destructive path through Morgan-Monroe State Forest on Wednesday night. Forestry crews are hard at work clearing downed trees and debris so that we can safely welcome visitors back soon. Follow http://on.in.gov/morganmonroesf for additional updates. (Brent Drinkut/Indiana DNR).
Morgan-Monroe State Forest is temporarily closed to public access following extensive storm damage. Additional updates will be provided as damage is assessed and clean-up is underway. More: on.IN.gov/morganmonroesf.

DNR and the City of Madison IN - City Hall just celebrated the new Clifty Connector Trail at a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony. The asphalt, multi-use 1.5-mile path connects Clifty Falls State Park with Madison’s scenic riverwalk along the Ohio River. Constructed with help from a DNR grant, the paved trail includes a new trailhead with parking, bike racks, a water fountain, and other trail amenities for guests to enjoy. Learn more about the trail opening at https://ow.ly/JUxH50ZeieS

Aerial treatments to slow the spread of the invasive spongy moth are scheduled for Friday morning, June 19. Treatment begin after sunrise but could be delayed until due to weather conditions.

The biodegradable, female phermone- infused food grade material works attracts male moths to an area without females, so mating doesn’t take place. This material doesn’t affect people, animals, plants, or insects other than spongy moth. Spongy moth is one of North America's most devastating invasive forest pests, causing thousands of acres of defoliation across the eastern US. Learn more at https://ow.ly/elWB50ZcZJh

KIRTLAND'S SNAKE: Indiana is home to over 30 species of snakes that occur in a variety of habitats across the state. Today, we are featuring the Kirtland's snake.

Kirtland’s snakes are a small, colorful and harmless species that occurs in a variety of Indiana habitats, including cities. In natural settings, they prefer open, wet habitats like fields and grasslands that contain saturated soil and crayfish burrows. However, Kirtland’s snakes are known to persist in urban areas and residential neighborhoods, and have been found in Indianapolis, New Albany, Jeffersonville, New Castle, and Mooresville. Kirtland’s snakes live much of their lives underground in burrows or beneath cover like logs, landscaping stones, and even garbage. They can be distinguished from other species by their pink bellies lined with two rows of small black dots (they have historically been referred to as “red-bellied gartersnakes” due to this feature, although they are not a type of gartersnake).

KIRTLAND'S SNAKES ARE HARMLESS AND RARELY BITE. But they sometimes flatten their bodies when they feel threatened. Due to the habitat loss and the limited range of Kirtland’s snakes, they are listed as state endangered in Indiana.

HAVE YOU SEEN A KIRTLAND'S SNAKE in your yard? DNR biologists are tracking Kirtland’s snakes across Indiana and would love to hear about your observations. Photographs along with the location and date of observation can be sent to [email protected].

For more about Indiana's snakes, see on.IN.gov/snakes.

Buy it where you burn it. Over 140 known pests and pathogens can be moved in firewood. When camping at a DNR property, prevent their spread by buying USDA/state compliance-stamped firewood from DNR camp stores or vendors. Or, use debarked or kiln-dried scrap lumber from home. More: on.IN.gov/firewoodrule.

DEKAY'S BROWNSNAKE: Indiana is home to over 30 species of snakes that occur in a variety of habitats across the state. During this year’s Snake Week we will be highlighting Indiana’s backyard snakes and those that can be found in residential and urban areas. Today we are featuring the Dekay's brownsnake.

Dekay’s brownsnakes are small brown to gray colored snakes that can be handy companions for the backyard and garden because they eat slugs. This harmless species can be found statewide, and prefers open, grassy areas. They are commonly found under cover objects like boards or other debris but may sometimes be seen out in the open including in urban and suburban settings and often near buildings.

THE DEKAY’S BROWNSNAKE IS NOT VENOMOUS OR DANGEROUS. But despite their small size, can act defensive when approached or handled.

For more about Indiana's snakes, see on.IN.gov/snakes.