22 Snakes In Wisconsin

Written by Tracy Graham
Published: September 6, 2022
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Wisconsin is known as the Dairy State and the famous grasslands of Wisconsin are a great habitat for snakes as well as for cattle. There are also more than 12,000 lakes in Wisconsin including the famous twin lakes that the capital, Madison, sits between.

The cold winters of Wisconsin are tough for many animals to take but the cold doesnโ€™t seem to stop snakes from settling in Wisconsin. There are more than 20 different native snakes in this state including some water snakes that are commonly found in the stateโ€™s many lakes and rivers.

22 Snakes In Wisconsin

Some of the common snakes that youโ€™ll find throughout Wisconsin are:

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Smooth Green Snake

Smooth green snakes are found almost everywhere in Wisconsin except in the very southern part of the state. These snakes are easy to spot because of their bright green color. They also have a very smooth appearance because of the way that their scales lay which is why this snake is called the smooth green snake. Smooth green snakes have solid bright green color that usually stands out, but in the summertime the vivid green Wisconsin vegetation can hide these small snakes. They are typically about a foot or a foot and a half long but never get longer than two feet.

Snakes in Maine - Smooth Green Snake
Smooth green snakes are found almost everywhere in Wisconsin except in the very southern part of the state.

ยฉKristian Bell/Shutterstock.com

Western Ribbon Snake

In Wisconsin western ribbon snakes are relatively rare. They are most often seen in the southern end of Wisconsin or in the central region. These snakes generally are about two feet long and they have dark green or black scales with three yellow or orange reddish stripes that run down the entire length of their bodies on their back and sides. Western ribbon snakes are totally harmless to humans and if you leave them alone they will leave you alone.

Western Ribbon Snake
In Wisconsin western ribbon snakes are relatively rare. They are most often seen in the southern end of Wisconsin or in the central region.

ยฉRyan M. Bolton/Shutterstock.com

Northern Ring-Necked Snake

Northern ring-necked snakes are small snakes. They only reach a length of about two feet. They like to live on the edges of forests and near deciduous trees, which there are a lot of in Wisconsin. Typically northern ring-necked snakes are found on the edges of Wisconsin forests or in rural and suburban areas in agricultural fields and back yards. During the winter they may take up residence in old tree stumps or other areas that will protect them the cold and snow of a Wisconsin winter.

Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus)
Northern ring-necked snakes are small snakes. They only reach a length of about two feet. They like to live on the edges of forests and near deciduous trees, which there are a lot of in Wisconsin.

ยฉTucker Heptinstall/Shutterstock.com

Bull Snake

Bull snakes are one of the largest types of snakes. Even though they are not venomous they will often hiss or rattle their tails like a rattlesnake if they feel threatened. These snakes can grow to be a whopping eight feet long. And they like to climb trees, poles, and other things so you should definitely keep eye out above you as well as on the ground if you are in the type of area that bull snakes like to live in. Bull snakes, which are also called gopher snakes, like sandy soil that they can burrow in. In Wisconsin you will typically find them near prairie bluffs and in the drier areas of the state.

Bullsnake - Coiled
Bull snakes are one of the largest types of snakes. Even though they are not venomous they will often hiss or rattle their tails like a rattlesnake if they feel threatened.

ยฉiStock.com/92968526

Milk Snake

You will find milk snakes throughout the state of Wisconsin except in the north part of the state. Milk snakes have wide red bands, which can make them look like venomous coral snakes. But donโ€™t worry! There are no coral snakes in Wisconsin. If you see a snake that is about three feet long and has wide red bands which white bands on the sides of the red bands thatโ€™s a milk snake. It wonโ€™t hurt you. Milk snakes are very often found on farms and in dilapidated buildings. You may also see them on the edges of agricultural fields or fences.

common red milksnake curled up
You will find milk snakes throughout the state of Wisconsin except in the north part of the state.

ยฉiStock.com/Shoemcfly

North American Blue Racer Snake

Another snake that likes farm fields and dry forests is the North American blue racer snake. These snakes can grow to be about five to six feet long. They are very quick and can move at several miles per hour if they really want to. But the blue racer is really known for the distinctive blue color of its scales. Blue racer snakes have a very distinctive blue gray color and usually a light cream or gray belly. Even though you might be tempted to try and pick up this beautifully colored snake donโ€™t. The blue racer isnโ€™t venomous, but it is a wild animal and you shouldnโ€™t bother it or try to touch it.

Blue Racer Snake (Coluber constrictor foxii)
Blue racer snakes have a very distinctive blue gray color and usually a light cream or gray belly.

ยฉPsychotic Nature/Shutterstock.com

Water Snakes That Live In Wisconsin

It might be a surprise considering how much water there is in in Wisconsin but there are just two types of water snakes in Wisconsin. You will find these snakes all over the state though. Wherever there are clear lakes and streams there will be these snakes:

Queen Snake

Queen snakes are only two to three feet long. They prefer warm water streams and rivers to cold lakes. Thatโ€™s because their primary food are crayfish that live in small streams and rivers. The colors of a queen snake vary based on the habitat that it lives in. Queen snakes usually are either brown, tan, olive, or gray to blend into the water and the shoreline. This allows them to hunt undetected by their prey.

Queen snake coiled in the grass
Queen snakes are only two to three feet long. They prefer warm water streams and rivers to cold lakes. Thatโ€™s because their primary food are crayfish that live in small streams and rivers.

ยฉJason Patrick Ross/Shutterstock.com

Common Water Snake

In Wisconsin the common water snake is very common indeed. There are water snakes throughout the entire state. Common water snakes in Wisconsin are big heavy snakes. They only get to be a few feet long but they have very wide heavy bodies. They eat crawfish, frogs, and other amphibians. The common water snake is often mistaken for a Cottonmouth snake. The Cottonmouth is venomous but the common water snake isnโ€™t venomous.

A fast way to tell the difference is to look at the mouth. Cottonmouth snakes have white patches near and in their mouths while common water snakes donโ€™t. There are no Cottonmouth snakes in Wisconsin. If you see a wide, heavy snake in Wisconsin in a stream or a lake thereโ€™s a good chance itโ€™s a common water snake.

northern water snake in water
The common water snake is often mistaken for a Cottonmouth snake. The Cottonmouth is venomous but the common water snake isnโ€™t venomous.

ยฉiStock.com/Doug Gordon

Venomous Snakes In Wisconsin

There are a lot of snakes in Wisconsin but there are only two kinds of venomous snakes in Wisconsin that youโ€™ll have to look out for. They are:

Eastern Massasauga Snake

Eastern Massasauga snakes are relatively short and wide. They donโ€™t look too dangerous, but they are venomous so you should always be careful if you see one. They are only a couple of feet long but their wide bodies make them look larger than they are. If you surprise or startle an eastern massasauga snake it may hiss or rattle its tail as a warning that you should get away. Take that warning seriously. Move slowly and deliberately to get yourself safely out of range.

Massasauga on a rock
Eastern Massasauga snakes are relatively short and wide. They donโ€™t look too dangerous, but they are venomous so you should always be careful if you see one.

ยฉRusty Dodson/Shutterstock.com

Timber Rattlesnake

Timber rattlesnakes are rare in Wisconsin. But, you should always be watching out for them if you are hiking, working, or doing anything in the habitat they like to be in. The Timber rattlesnake has venom that is extremely potent and can kill people. Most of the time the timber rattlesnakes would rather run away from humans than attack them. These snakes are very long, typically six feel long. They have dark brown or tan coloring with black markings. Timber Rattlesnakes like to stay on the edges of forests and field, but if they are hunting they may roan throughout the forested parts of Wisconsin.

Timber rattlesnaake coiled in a loop
Timber rattlesnakes are rare in Wisconsin. But, you should always be watching out for them if you are hiking, working, or doing anything in the habitat they like to be in.

ยฉFrode Jacobsen/Shutterstock.com

A Complete List Of Snakes In Wisconsin

Outdoor lovers have a lot of choices when it comes to outdoor activities in Wisconsin. Hiking, kayaking, boating, and more are all fun ways to spend time in this state. But keep an eye out for snakes! The complete list of snakes in Wisconsin is:

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common red milksnake curled up
There are 19-23 rows of scales on every milk snake.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)ย 

How many venomous snakes are in Wisconsin?

There are a lot of snakes in Wisconsin but there are only two kinds of venomous snakes in Wisconsin that youโ€™ll have to look out for: Timber Rattlesnake and Eastern Massasauga Snake.

Does Wisconsin's cold weather affect the snake population?

The cold winters of Wisconsin are tough for many animals to take but the cold doesnโ€™t seem to stop snakes from settling in Wisconsin. There are more than 20 different native snakes in this state including some water snakes that are commonly found in the stateโ€™s many lakes and rivers.

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