World Snake Day 2025: Meet Michigan’s Residents

July 15, 2025

By: Steve Dishman, Interpreter

Happy World Snake Day! World Snake Day happens annually on July 16 and was created to increase awareness of the diversity of snakes globally. There are about 3,900 species of snakes found from the lush jungles to the dry deserts, on land and even in the sea. Michigan is home to 18 species of snakes. While snakes may be an underappreciated organism, they play critical roles in the ecosystem- they help control rodent and insect populations and they, in turn, feed other animals.

Here are a few of our favorites:

The Queen Snake (Regina septemvittata) is a water snake that feeds on an interesting creature. Queen Snakes feed almost entirely on crayfish that have molted or shed their hard shells. A Queen Snake will look under rocks to find their crayfish, using their tongues to sense their prey. Their specialist diet of soft-bodied, newly molted crayfish means that their populations are at risk from both habitat changes that impact wetlands and from the increase of larger, non-indigenous rusty crayfish that are reducing indigenous crayfish numbers and may not be recognized as a food source by the snakes.

The Eastern Hognose (Heterodon platirhinos) is one of Michigan’s most unique looking snakes. Its pig-like snout is used to dig in soil to find frogs, salamanders and its preferred food, toads. Hognose snakes also can flatten their heads like a cobra and if they feel threatened, they will roll on their back with their mouths open and tongues out feigning death or “playing dead”. Once they feel safe, Hognose Snakes will turn back over and proceed on their way!

Besides Queen Snakes, there are two other Michigan snakes found in aquatic areas, the Northern (Neordia sipedon) and Copper-Bellied (Nerodia erythrogaster) Water Snake.  Both species are non-venomous but will release a strong odor to deter predation or handling. Water Snakes are often found either basking on rocks and logs like turtles or swimming in ponds, lakes or rivers after fish to eat. While Northern Water Snakes are common, the Copper-Bellied Water Snake is listed as “Endangered”

Out of the 18 species that inhabit Michigan, only one snake is species is venomous: the Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus). This secretive and shy snake is listed as “threatened” by the Michigan DNR. These rattlesnakes make their home in swamps and prairie wetlands where they hunt small animals like birds, amphibians, small mammals and even other snakes. Like several of Michigan’s other snake species, massasauga rattlesnakes also have a relationship with crayfish. They frequently overwinter in crayfish burrows, below the frost line and at or near the water table.

Young massasauga rattlesnakes often consume cold-blooded prey like frogs and toads while adult snakes focus more on mice, voles, and other small mammals.

Michigan has two more protected snake species, the threatened Eastern Fox Snake (Pantherophis gloydi) and the endangered Kirtland’s Snake (Clonophis kirtlandii). Many snakes are suffering population losses because of habitat loss, changing weather conditions, and killings because of misconceptions. The Huron-Clinton Metroparks provide habitat for many of Michigan’s snakes including Massasaugas and Fox Snakes.  Although snakes may bite or “musk” you with their smell, they pose no real threat to people in our state. In fact, snakes are a vital part of the food web, controlling rodent populations, for one. So, the next time you see a snake in the wild, don’t shriek with fright, but observe with delight! Happy World Snake Day from your Huron-Clinton Metroparks.