Snakes in Wabash, Indiana

Wabash County is in northeastern Indiana and is home to two wildlife preserves and dozens of reptiles and amphibians. The sparsely populated county also has several species of snakes that can be found in its wooded areas, rocky lands and along the coast of the Wabash River.

  1. Blue Racer Snake

    • The blue racer snake (Coluber constrictor foxi) is a diurnal species that grows to a length of up to 60 inches. Its color ranges from bluish black to light brown. This species has a painful but not dangerous bite. Although it's a good climber, the blue racer snake spends most of its day on the ground. It has a very diverse diet, eating small turtles, reptile eggs, copperhead snakes, pygmy rattlesnakes, small mammals, birds, frogs and lizards.

    Black King Snake

    • The black king snake (Lampropeltis getula nigra) has shiny black scales and white spots on its back. This species grows to an average of 51 inches. Black king snakes are immune to the venom of rattlesnakes, copperheads and others. Their diet consists of garter snakes, water snakes, skinks, reptile eggs, rodents, birds, bird eggs, frogs and venomous snakes. They can live for about 5 years in the wild and have lived over 30 years in captivity.

    Northern Ringneck Snake

    • The northern ringneck snake (Diadophis punctatus edwardsi) likes rocky mountainous habitats. This species' slender body has smooth scales and can grow up to 15 inches long. It has a gray body with an orange underbelly and an orange ring around its neck. The northern ringneck snake's diet consists of salamanders, small frogs, insects, invertebrates, small lizards and small snakes. Its average lifespan in the wild is 10 years with a lifespan of only 6 years in captivity.

    Copper-Belly Water Snake

    • Copper-belly water snakes (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) live most of their lives in water. Snakes of this species have large black or chocolate-brown bodies that can grow up to 64 inches long. Copper-belly water snakes of Indiana eat frogs and toads, whereas those found in southeastern states have a diet largely made up of crustaceans. Its average lifespan in the wild is 8 years.