How to Identify Snakes of Wisconsin
Wisconsin has plenty of prairie and mountain areas for snakes to live in. Some can be found in residential areas, but most of Wisconsin's snakes are not venomous. Several species are threatened or endangered. Many snakes are beautifully marked, and most may be recognized by their markings. If you run across a snake in Wisconsin and want to identify it, you must analyze several characteristics, including coloring, size, head shape, scale patterns, range and behavior. A field guide or other such expert list is vital for accurate identification.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Look at the size of the snake. Wisconsin snakes range in size from one to seven feet at maturity. For example, yellow-bellied racers grow up to 50 inches long and timber rattlesnakes grow up to 60 inches long. Bull snakes are among the largest species in the state at 74 inches long. Northern ringneck snakes and garter snakes are among the smallest species the state at about 15 inches long.
-
2
Examine the coloration of the snake. Rattlesnakes are poisonous and can be identified by not only their rattling tail but by their coloration. Timber rattlesnakes are have a grey to yellowish background color with brown or black banded markings. They have an angular head and heat-sensing facial pits. Most Wisconsin snakes are colored yellow to black with various types of markings. Bull snakes are yellow, brown, black, beige and white. They have reddish blotches and dark brown or black markings along the body with bands near the mouth. Black or gray rat snakes are typically shiny black, sometimes indistinctly showing vestiges of a spotted pattern. Northern ringnecks are dark with a yellow or orange band around the neck. Queen snakes are olive gray to dark brown with yellow stripes.
-
-
3
Observe where the snakes live. Most Wisconsin snakes live in woodlands, mountains, open fields, or near water. Many species are limited to the southern parts of the state. Yellow-bellied or blue racers can be found in open fields, woodlands and in the mountains. Gray or black rat snakes live in forested areas particularly in the southwest region of the state. Bull snakes live in prairies and forests while ringnecks live in woodland areas. Queen snakes live near streams and lakes and are endangered.
-
4
Analyze the snake's behavior. Despite the size of bull snakes, they are not aggressive. Their tails tend to make a rattle sound similar to that of a rattlesnake when the tail hits a dry surface. When disturbed, the snake will make a loud hissing sound. The timber rattlesnake can be found in mountain areas and hillsides and may strike if your hands or feet get too close. They mostly are in the southwestern part of Wisconsin. They are fully protected by law.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Of Wisconsin's 22 snake species, only two are venomous. Both of those are rattlesnakes--the timber rattlesnake and the Eastern massasauga. Range maps show both occur only in the southern part of the state. The timber rattlesnake is fully protected and the Eastern massasauga is listed as an endangered species in the state.
The best thing to do when you see any snake is to give it space and let it go about its business.
If bitten by any snake, seek medical attention.
The eyes of venomous snakes have vertical pupils while those that are not venomous have round pupils.
If you can see the eye of a suspected venomous snake well enough to examine its pupil, you are standing too close.
Look for solid colors or stripes running lengthwise to determine if the snake is non-poisonous. Snakes that appear to have bands running across and thick tails may be poisonous. Be careful--often snakes' markings vary greatly over their range and between individuals.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit rattlesnake image by Michael Shake from Fotolia.com
