The Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake is Michigan's ONLY venomous snake.  Look for the Massasauga only in the Lower Peninsula for there are no records of this snake from the Upper Peninsula.  This small and shy rattlesnake is found in or around wetland areas such as marshes, bogs, fens and swamps. Populations of the snake are locally abundant in some areas of the Lower Peninsula, but rare or absent in much of the state.

Bites to people are uncommon and no human fatalities (to date) have occurred  in Michigan.

Source:  Unknown

The Massisauga Rattlesnake is found in the lower peninsula only, as the range map below shows.  The green areas on the map are within the natural range of the snake.

Source:  Unknown

This material has been compiled for educational use only, and may not be reproduced without permission.  One copy may be printed for personal use.  Please contact Randall Schaetzl (soils@msu.edu) for more information or permissions.