Snakes in Michigan in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in Michigan. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 3,371 of the 16,240 sightings logged across the year (20.8%), 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 Michigan
20.8%
of yearly sightings
3,371
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
16,240
verified records a year
April 15%, May 20.8%, June 18%. Busiest month is May at 20.8%.
16,240 verified observations of snakes in Michigan, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in Michigan
Peak month
May
3,371 records (20.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 16 | 0.1% |
| February | 29 | 0.2% |
| March | 543 | 3.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 2,428 | 15% |
| Maypeak | 3,371 | 20.8% |
| Junepeak | 2,922 | 18% |
| July | 2,071 | 12.8% |
| August | 1,870 | 11.5% |
| September | 1,770 | 10.9% |
| October | 1,050 | 6.5% |
| November | 145 | 0.9% |
| December | 25 | 0.2% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Garter Snake | 6,772 |
| Common Watersnake | 2,742 |
| DeKay's Brownsnake | 1,288 |
| Eastern Hognose Snake | 1,108 |
| Eastern Milksnake | 780 |
| Red-bellied Snake | 534 |
| North American Racer | 482 |
| Common Ribbon Snake | 413 |
In Michigan, May carries 20.8% of the year's snakes sightings, about 12.5 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%) into May, and it heads toward June (18%) 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 Michigan are Common Garter Snake, Common Watersnake and DeKay's Brownsnake. 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 Garter Snake6,772 records
- Common Watersnake2,742 records
- DeKay's Brownsnake1,288 records
- Eastern Hognose Snake1,108 records
- Eastern Milksnake780 records
- Red-bellied Snake534 records
Plan your snake trip in Michigan
Start with live tours near Isle Royale 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 Michigan in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 3,371 of the 16,240 verified snakes sightings logged in Michigan across the year, which is 20.8% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in Michigan?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, June and April.
What month is best for snakes in Michigan?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and April, based on 16,240 verified observations.
Which snakes are you most likely to see in Michigan?+
The most-recorded species in Michigan are Common Garter Snake, Common Watersnake and DeKay's Brownsnake, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See snakes in Michigan in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Michigan