Discover the 7 Snakes of Indiana’s Wabash River

Written by Chanel Coetzee
Updated: June 14, 2023
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The Wabash River played a significant role in US history, serving as a transportation channel for Native American tribes, British settlers, and modern commercial trade. Furthermore, it was a treasure trove for fishermen and hunters. But unfortunately, this once mighty river is filled with pollutants, bacteria, and sewage, like urban and rural runoff, agricultural chemicals, CSOs, and straight pipe discharges. However, over the past few years, many organizations, like wetland restoration projects, have rushed to preserve and protect the wildlife habitats surrounding the river’s edge, including the snakes of Indiana’s Wabash River. In addition, this river plays a vital role in generating hydroelectric power.

The Wabash RIver

The Wabash River begins in Ohio and flows through Indiana, eventually emptying out into the Ohio River.

©Brian C. Gossard/Shutterstock.com

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Unfortunately, many snake species have fled Indiana’s Wabash River because of the high amount of pollution in the water. However, some snakes stayed behind and inhabit areas surrounding the river’s shores. So, here are the seven snakes that occur around this river:

1. Kirtland’s Snake

Their belly is the best way to identify Kirtland’s snakes: it is red, orange, or pink and has two rows of dark spots along either side.

Kirtland snakes range from brown to rusty red, with big black blotches down their bodies.

©Mike Wilhelm/Shutterstock.com

When looking at the Kirtland snake from above, nothing really stands out. However, their underbelly has a stunning red, orange, or pink center, with a row of dark spots on each side. These snakes range from brown to rusty red, with big black blotches down their bodies. Furthermore, they have a black hood on their heads that extends to the area just above the mouth. The average length for an adult Kirtland snake is approximately 1 foot, but some reach lengths of 2 feet. Their habitat ranges from open, moist meadows, or wet prairies. These snakes are primarily nocturnal and tend to keep away from humans.

2. Common Garter Snake

A common garter snake slithering in grass

Common garter snakes occur in a wide range of habitats but are primarily found in open, wet grassy areas.

©iStock.com/Wildnerdpix

The common garter snake grows to around 18 to 26 inches and varies in color. However, their typical pattern consists of three light stripes running down their brown, olive, or tan bodies. But some of these snakes have a checkered pattern. Common garter snakes occur in a wide range of habitats but are primarily found in open, wet grassy areas. Therefore, they prefer to inhabit the following:

  • Old fields
  • Borders of rivers, ponds, or streams
  • Edges of woodlands
  • Wetland margins

Common garter snakes are mostly active during the day, but during extremely hot weather, they change to nocturnal to avoid the heat. When threatened, these snakes coil their bodies and flatten theirs in preparation to strike. Fun fact about the common garter snake, they have a red tongue with a black tip. Additionally, if something catches them, they excrete a foul order as a defense mechanism.

3. Common Ribbon Snake

Eastern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis saurita)

Common ribbon snakes occur along the edges or surrounding areas of rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, and marshes.

©Jay Ondreicka/Shutterstock.com

The common ribbon snake derives its name from its elegant stripes and elongated form. Furthermore, they are black or brown in color with a bright yellow stripe running down their bodies. These snakes can grow to 3 feet, with a long tail that makes up 25% of their body length. Common ribbon snakes occur along the edges or surrounding areas of rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, and marshes. Additionally, they primarily prey on salamanders. These snakes are most active from April to October, and their mating season is typically from April to May, straight after they come out of their dens after winter. However, they may also breed during autumn.

4. Common Water Snake

Nerodia sipedon

Common watersnakes are also called northern watersnakes and are common across the eastern United States.

©samray/Shutterstock.com

The common water snake has a medium to large build and can grow 25 to 40 inches long. Adult water snake patterns grow darker as they get older, so it eventually looks like they are a solid black or brown. Furthermore, their bellies are usually cream or reddish in color. This snake is the most abundant aquatic snake species in Indiana, so they are found in almost any aquatic habitat, including:

  • Rivers
  • Lakes
  • Ponds
  • Streams
  • Swamps
  • Backyard fish ponds

However, they prefer permanent, warm, shallow water that has access to places where they can bask in the sun, like logs, rocky ledges, and bridge piers. Additionally, they occur in urban and rural areas and move away from the water during winter to find hibernation spots. Therefore, they are most active from April to June.

5. North American Racer

Closeup on an overwintering, pale colored and curled up Western Yellow-bellied Racer, a subspecies of the Eastern Racer. The snake is named for its yellow belly.

North American racers have several subspecies, so their patterns can vary widely.

©HWall/Shutterstock.com

Adult North American racers, also known as Eastern racers, typically measure between 20 to 60 inches, but the maximum size they can grow is around 70 inches long. These snakes have several subspecies, so their patterns can vary widely. However, most are solid-colored and therefore named accordingly. For example:

  • Black racers
  • Brown racers
  • Tan racers
  • Blue racers
  • Green racers

North American racers are quick movers and are mainly active during the day. Furthermore, their preferred diet consists of cottontail rabbits, small rodents, toads, frogs, lizards, small turtles, and other snakes. In addition, some subspecies climb trees to get to eggs and young birds.

6. Gray Rat Snake

An identifying feature of the gray rat snake is the square blotches on its light-colored belly that resemble checkered patterns.

An identifying feature of the gray rat snake is the square blotches on its light-colored belly that resemble checkered patterns.

©Vladislav T. Jirousek/Shutterstock.com

The gray rat snake has a thick body measuring 42 to 72 inches long. Juveniles do not look like adults as they have a conspicuous color pattern of dark blotches on their pale gray bodies. However, adults usually appear solid black. However, some may retain the darker blotching pattern on a light background. Additionally, some might have an orange or red pigment shine through. Another identifying feature is the square blotches on their light-colored bellies that resemble checkered patterns. Their preferred habitat is prairies, deciduous woodlands, rocky hillsides, and stream valleys. Furthermore, people often find them in old foundations and farm buildings. These snakes are primarily active during the day but also forage in the evening if the days are too hot during the summer.

7. Eastern Massasauga

Closeup of coiled massasauga rattlesnake

The eastern massasauga is active for long periods throughout the year. For example, they are most active between the months of April to as late as November.

©DnDavis/Shutterstock.com

The eastern massasauga is a small to medium-sized rattlesnake, reaching between 18 to 30 inches long. Their appearance can vary, as some have gray bodies with brown blotches, while others are almost solid black. But, the rattle at the ends of their tails distinguishes them from all the other snakes of Indiana’s Wabash River. These snakes inhabit wetland areas but may also occur in drier environments. However, they are most abundant in:

  • Dry prairie and woodland
  • Marshy grasslands
  • Lake edges
  • Fens
  • Forested swampland

The eastern massasauga is active for long periods throughout the year. For example, they are most active between the months of April to as late as November. But they do hibernate, spending the colder months in crayfish burrows, rock crevices, or old stumps. However, they spend most of their spring and fall foraging for food and basking in the sun. While primarily diurnal, they will become more active at night during hot summers. These snakes are venomous, and their bites can be fatal if not treated. Eastern massasaugas have cytotoxic venom, which affects the tissue. Furthermore, their venom contains digestive enzymes that prevent blood clotting by disrupting the blood flow. Therefore, injecting their venom into their prey causes internal bleeding, leading to death.

Animals that Live Along Indiana’s Wabash River

But this river doesn’t only serve snakes; many animals rely on the Wabash River like:

Is It Safe To Swim In Indiana’s Wabash River?

Unfortunately, you cannot swim in Indiana’s Wabash River. It is closed for swimming, fishing, and other recreational activities because it contains pathogenic organisms like E. coli. Furthermore, this river is classified as an impaired waterway under the Federal Clean Water Act, which was implemented 50 years ago. So, while they are trying to prevent new pollutants from entering this river, they are still in the process of removing present contaminants. Therefore, certain parts of the Wabash River have improved, like those close to Lafayette and West Lafayette. But this river is far from acceptable and still has a long way to go.

Summary of the 7 Snakes of Indiana’s Wabash River:

Name of SnakeLength in InchesHabitat
Kirtland’s Snake12-24Open moist meadows or wet prairies.
Common Garter Snake18-26Fields, rivers, ponds, stream edges, and margins of woodlands or wetlands.
Common Ribbon Snake36Edges of rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, or marshes.
Common Water Snake25-40Edges of rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, swamps, or fish ponds.
North American Racer20-60Dry grassland, scrub, wooded hillsides, rocky ledges, fields, meadows, edges of wetlands or woodlands.
Gray Rat Snake42-72Prairies, deciduous woodlands, rocky hillsides, or stream valleys.
Eastern Massasauga Snake18-30Dry prairies and woodlands, fens, forested swamps, wetlands, marshy grasslands, or lake edges.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © SNEHIT PHOTO/Shutterstock.com

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About the Author

Chanel Coetzee is a writer at A-Z Animals, primarily focusing on big cats, dogs, and travel. Chanel has been writing and researching about animals for over 10 years. She has also worked closely with big cats like lions, cheetahs, leopards, and tigers at a rescue and rehabilitation center in South Africa since 2009. As a resident of Cape Town, South Africa, Chanel enjoys beach walks with her Stafford bull terrier and traveling off the beaten path.

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