Snakes in Indiana in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in Indiana. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 4,249 of the 12,620 sightings logged across the year (33.7%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 30, 2026.
Peak month for snakes in Indiana
33.7%
of yearly sightings
4,249
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
12,620
verified records a year
April 15.3%, May 33.7%, June 14.8%. Busiest month is May at 33.7%.
12,620 verified observations of snakes in Indiana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in Indiana
Peak month
May
4,249 records (33.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 12 | 0.1% |
| February | 28 | 0.2% |
| March | 461 | 3.7% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,927 | 15.3% |
| Maypeak | 4,249 | 33.7% |
| Junepeak | 1,867 | 14.8% |
| July | 1,010 | 8% |
| August | 1,082 | 8.6% |
| September | 1,024 | 8.1% |
| October | 788 | 6.2% |
| November | 138 | 1.1% |
| December | 34 | 0.3% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Watersnake | 2,118 |
| Common Garter Snake | 1,942 |
| Gray Ratsnake | 1,464 |
| DeKay's Brownsnake | 1,354 |
| Common Five-lined Skink | 904 |
| Ring-necked Snake | 569 |
| North American Racer | 482 |
| Eastern Milksnake | 472 |
In Indiana, May carries 33.7% of the year's snakes sightings, about 25.4 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (15.3%) into May, and it heads toward June (14.8%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The snakes most often recorded in Indiana are Common Watersnake, Common Garter Snake and Gray Ratsnake. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which snakes you are most likely to see
- Common Watersnake2,118 records
- Common Garter Snake1,942 records
- Gray Ratsnake1,464 records
- DeKay's Brownsnake1,354 records
- Common Five-lined Skink904 records
- Ring-necked Snake569 records
Plan your snake trip in Indiana
Start with live tours near Indiana Dunes National Park, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main snake viewing area.
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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see snakes in Indiana in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 4,249 of the 12,620 verified snakes sightings logged in Indiana across the year, which is 33.7% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in Indiana?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, April and June.
What month is best for snakes in Indiana?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, April and June, based on 12,620 verified observations.
Which snakes are you most likely to see in Indiana?+
The most-recorded species in Indiana are Common Watersnake, Common Garter Snake and Gray Ratsnake, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See snakes in Indiana in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Indiana