Venomous snakes and spiders in Indiana
Indiana has three venomous snake species among the 27 snake species listed there: eastern copperhead, eastern massasauga and timber rattlesnake. The eastern copperhead accounts for the most records (62), and venomous species make up 5% of all 2,201 licensed snake records in the state. On the spider side, two species are medically significant: brown recluse and northern black widow.
Venomous snakes of Indiana
Indiana's venomous snakes are two rattlesnake species and one copperhead or cottonmouth species. Together they account for 115 licensed records; the eastern copperhead alone has 54% of them, and the least recorded, the timber rattlesnake, has 14.
Dangerous spiders of Indiana
One widow species (Northern black widow: 14 records) and one recluse species (Brown recluse: 138 records) are on the Indiana list. Widow bites cause muscle pain and cramps; recluse bites can cause a slow-healing wound. Both are rare and seldom fatal.
Other snakes recorded most in Indiana
These eight account for 65% of all licensed snake records in Indiana; the most recorded, the northern water snake, alone for 18%.
Other spiders recorded most in Indiana
These eight account for 27% of all licensed spider records in Indiana; the most recorded, the familiar jumping spider, alone for 6%.
When are snakes out in Indiana?
Observation records of snakes in Indiana run mostly April through October, peaking in May with 24% of them. December through February together hold under 2% of the records, so snakes in Indiana are rarely recorded in winter. Venomous snakes alone have ten observation records with a month in Indiana, too few for a season of their own.
When spiders are most active in Indiana
Observation records of spiders in Indiana run mostly April through October, peaking in June with 21% of them. December through February together hold under 2% of the records, so spiders in Indiana are rarely recorded in winter.
Counties with the most venomous snake records
Morgan County has the most records of venomous snakes in Indiana, 26, most of them of the eastern copperhead. Monroe County and Starke County follow.
| # | County | Records | Most recorded there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morgan County | 26 | Eastern copperhead |
| 2 | Monroe County | 8 | Eastern copperhead |
| 3 | Starke County | 8 | Eastern massasauga |
| 4 | Porter County | 7 | Eastern massasauga |
| 5 | Harrison County | 5 | Eastern copperhead |
| 6 | Brown County | 4 | Eastern copperhead |
| 7 | Kosciusko County | 3 | Eastern massasauga |
| 8 | LaGrange County | 3 | Eastern massasauga |
| 9 | Clark County | 2 | Eastern copperhead |
| 10 | Floyd County | 2 | Eastern copperhead |
Where in Indiana are snakes recorded most?
Records are spread widely: even the top five counties, led by Morgan County, hold only 28% of them. 91 of Indiana's 92 counties have at least one licensed snake record.
| # | County | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morgan County | 145 | 6.6% |
| 2 | Monroe County | 139 | 6.3% |
| 3 | Brown County | 127 | 5.8% |
| 4 | Marion County | 107 | 4.9% |
| 5 | Porter County | 107 | 4.9% |
| 6 | Knox County | 91 | 4.1% |
| 7 | Jasper County | 70 | 3.2% |
| 8 | Tippecanoe County | 63 | 2.9% |
| 9 | Marshall County | 62 | 2.8% |
| 10 | Lawrence County | 58 | 2.6% |
| 11 | Clark County | 55 | 2.5% |
| 12 | Newton County | 42 | 1.9% |
Indiana counties with their own page: Lake County and Monroe County.
Are there poisonous snakes in Indiana?
Yes. Indiana has three venomous snake species on its list, the kind people usually call poisonous: eastern copperhead, eastern massasauga and timber rattlesnake. Strictly, snakes are venomous (they inject venom), not poisonous (harmful to eat or touch).
Are there rattlesnakes in Indiana?
Yes. Two species are on the Indiana list: the eastern massasauga and the timber rattlesnake, with 53 licensed records between them. Most licensed records of the eastern massasauga come from Starke County, Porter County and Kosciusko County.
Are there copperheads in Indiana?
Yes. One species is on the Indiana list: the eastern copperhead, with 62 licensed records. Most licensed records of the eastern copperhead come from Morgan County, Monroe County and Harrison County.
Are there cottonmouths (water moccasins) in Indiana?
No. GBIF holds no cottonmouth record for Indiana under any license.
Are there coral snakes in Indiana?
No. GBIF holds no coral snake record for Indiana under any license.
Eastern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
Indiana has 62 licensed records of the eastern copperhead, which ranks the state 19th of the 27 states where it reaches our threshold. Most of its licensed records in Indiana come from Morgan County, Monroe County and Harrison County. Range in other states and photos: Eastern copperhead profile.
Eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus)
Indiana has 39 licensed records of the eastern massasauga, which ranks the state 4th of the 8 states where it reaches our threshold. Most of its licensed records in Indiana come from Starke County, Porter County and Kosciusko County. Range in other states and photos: Eastern massasauga profile.
Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Indiana has 14 licensed records of the timber rattlesnake, which ranks the state 26th of the 30 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Timber rattlesnake profile.
Harmless lookalikes in Indiana
Many snakes and spiders taken for venomous ones are harmless species with a similar look. These are the usual confusions, with each species' licensed records in Indiana.
What looks like a copperhead in Indiana
Copperheads: 62 licensed records in Indiana. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: northern water snake (394), eastern rat snake (125), eastern milksnake (116), eastern hog-nosed snake (88) and plain-bellied watersnake (18). Together they have 741 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 12 times as often.
What looks like a cottonmouth in Indiana
No cottonmouths reach the Indiana list, and GBIF holds no cottonmouth record for Indiana under any license, so a snake taken for one here is most likely a harmless lookalike. Those recorded in the state: northern water snake (394), diamondback water snake (28) and plain-bellied watersnake (18).
What looks like a rattlesnake in Indiana
Rattlesnakes: 53 licensed records in Indiana. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: eastern hog-nosed snake (88), eastern fox snake (29) and gopher snake (19). Together they have 136 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 3 times as often.
What looks like a coral snake in Indiana
No coral snakes reach the Indiana list, and GBIF holds no coral snake record for Indiana under any license, so a snake taken for one here is most likely a harmless lookalike. Those recorded in the state: eastern milksnake (116).
What looks like a widow spider in Indiana
Widow spiders: 14 licensed records in Indiana. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: common house spider (39), triangulate bud spider (35), boreal combfoot (13) and twospotted cobweb spider (8). Together they have 95 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 7 times as often.
What looks like a recluse spider in Indiana
Recluse spiders: 138 licensed records in Indiana. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: longbodied cellar spider (24) and spitting spider (2). Together they have 26 licensed records, and here the venomous species are the more recorded side, 5.3 to 1.
How Indiana compares
By count of venomous snake species, Indiana ranks 20th of 50 states, level with 8 other states. Nationally, Arizona leads with 14 species; five list none.
Of the four states bordering Indiana, Illinois lists more venomous snake species; Kentucky and Ohio list as many (Indiana: 3 species; Illinois 4, Kentucky 3, Ohio 3, Michigan 1).
Venomous snakes listed next door but not in Indiana: the northern cottonmouth (Illinois and Kentucky). The most widely shared are the eastern copperhead, the eastern massasauga and the timber rattlesnake, each listed in three of the four bordering states.
Are there poisonous spiders in Indiana?
Does Indiana have black widows?
Yes. One widow species is on the Indiana list: the northern black widow (14 records).
Does Indiana have brown recluse spiders?
Yes. The brown recluse is on the Indiana list, with 138 licensed records. Most of its licensed records come from Vigo County, Jefferson County and Vanderburgh County.
Brown recluse (Loxosceles reclusa)
Indiana has 138 licensed records of the brown recluse, which ranks the state 3rd of the 16 states where it reaches our threshold. Most of its licensed records in Indiana come from Vigo County, Jefferson County and Vanderburgh County. Range in other states and photos: Brown recluse profile.
Northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus)
Indiana has 14 licensed records of the northern black widow, which ranks the state 11th of the 30 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Northern black widow profile.
Are there scorpions in Indiana?
Not on our list: GBIF holds 14 scorpion records of any license in Indiana, fewer than 10 of any one species; such records can be genuine rarities, strays, transported animals or misidentifications. Of these, 14 are under CC0 or CC BY. Every scorpion has venom; only the Arizona bark scorpion's sting is medically significant, and it is not on the Indiana list.
More for Indiana
GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.