Welcome to columbussnakes.com! When in a park, forest, or other wild area keep your pets on leashes and your children near you at all times. Wildlife experts say snakes should never be killed because they actually do a lot of good. The black or dark brown color of the snake is often extremely glossy. You may run across the eastern massasauga in 28 different Ohio counties, but its becoming increasingly rare. We generally regard snakes as poisonous, even though we arent swallowing or breathing in their toxins. Eastern timber rattlesnakes are easily the most dangerous snakes in Ohio. The copper-bellied water snake has a black upper side with a copper-colored underside. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. The body tapers to form a well-defined tail. It eats a wide variety of rodents and pests. It has a severely flattened head and neck which become exaggerated even further when the snake is angry. There are two well-known poisonous ones in our woods where caution is advised, though. Ohio snakes vary significantly in shape and form. The copperhead, which is usually up to 3 feet long,gained the name from its copper-colored head. If this happens, you should lay them flat and cover them with a blanket. So it makes sense that geographically Ohio has several distinct regions that range from high hills to valleys and canyons with some pretty impressive natural caves. The endangered species has been spotted in 22 Ohio counties. Many of them can be divided into one of a few main groups: Most of the other snakes in the region are individual representatives of their genera: All of these species fit into two main families, specifically the families Colubridae and Viperidae. With an understanding that is a bit more accurate, we can cover the snakes that live in Ohio that are venomous, not poisonous. The Eastern fox snake is a species of rat snake that takes the place of the corn snake in Ohio. shy and elusive. The head is gray or brown with bands running down the sides of the face. Many people don't know that Akron is in fact full of snakes! shy and elusive. Sometimes known as the canebrake or branded rattlesnake, the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) is one of the most northerly distributed venomous snakes. You just need to know where to find them - they can often be Take note of the habitat where you see a snake, as it can help to identify the snake. This guide is meant to help Watch an Indigo Snake Consume a Python Whole, Discover the Snake-Infested Volcanic Island Known as The Biggest Rattlesnake Nest in the World. It might seem like there are a lot of different kinds of snakes in Ohio but some of them are just different subspecies of the same species of snake. When they are threatened and bound to strike, they shake their tails and make the rattling sound. However, most other snakes prefer a specific habitat type. Please treat the snakes of Cleveland with respect! In the rough green snake, the scales are keeled giving it an almost rasp-like appearance. Different groups of snakes also have differently-shaped heads. Reptile.Guide is not a veterinary website, nor should any of the reptile health information on our site replace the advice of a certified veterinary professional. The eastern fox snake might give you a scare if you just look quickly. The Eastern hog-nosed snake has a broad, flattened head thats absolutely distinctive. The larvae of these insects are firm favorites among worm snakes. The belly is a creamy white color, the tail is well-defined, and the snakes pupils are round. you find a rattlesnake on a pathway in the park), Try to treat the snakebite with home remedies, Exert themselves physically it will accelerate the spread of the venom, Panic it makes your heart beat faster, spreading the venom through your body more quickly, Try to suck the venom from the wound at best, it will do nothing, at worst, youll poison yourself, Contact a loved one or friend who lives nearby (if possible), Apply pressure to the wound to keep the poison from spreading, Splint the affected limb and wrap it tightly, keeping it below the level of the heart, Poison Control Centers national hotline: 1-800-222-1222. They go by a few names, including timber rattlesnakes, canebrake rattlesnakes, or banded rattlesnakes. ), Snake Quiz - 52,909 People Couldn't Ace This Quiz, Watch A Hawk Turn From Predator to Prey In an Instant After Hunting A Snake. Thats because this snake thrives on rodents of all kinds. Your local office for the Ohio Division of Wildlife should also have a list of licensed removers. Lets take a look at one of these water snakes. Its potentially a good way to get bit again. There are just three types of venomous snakes in Ohio, and one of them is so rare you will likely never encounter it. As the name suggests, these animals typically dwell in forests and other tree-dense habitats. Reasons to Hire A Professional When There are two types of water snakes in Ohio. Smooth earth snakes have a gray or dark brown base color that helps them hide in the soil and at the base of trees in the forest. In Ohio, the copper-bellied water snake is very rare. If you do come across a copperhead snake give it a lot of space. The two snakes are similar, both in appearance and habits. Marshals searching for Ohio man wanted in multiple crimes, Closed Captioning/Audio Description Problems. I am David, a snake enthusiast living in Dayton, OH. click here for my complete list of ALL snake species in Dayton. Ohio snakes dont incorporate a large percentage of venomous species. So, if youve been worried about the snake in your garden trying to eat you, rest assured. While some species like the garter snakes and rat snakes are generalists that will eat any small animals that they can catch, other species only feed on a specific type of animal. The snake has a large head and large eyes with slit-shaped pupils. You will find theEastern Copperheadin southern and eastern Ohio. It has a well-rounded head with round pupils, and it also has a well-defined tail. For example, timber rattlesnakes can reach lengths of up to 74.5 inches. Kingsnakes are popular pets thanks to their easy-going nature and willingness to accept rodent prey. It makes dinner out of frogs, minnows, mice, slugs, earthworms, toads, and frogs. It has unkeeled scales, which gives it a smooth appearance. Their bodies are generally gray, although some have a light yellow or pink undertone to them. The venom of theEastern Massasaugarattlesnake is cytotoxic venom that destroys tissue. By educating yourself, you can learn to live alongside snakes without fear: Its fairly easy to keep yourself safe from snakes as long as you follow a few simple guidelines: Typically, you can have all the snakes in the world slithering around you, and youd hardly notice. One of the characteristic traits of this species is that it has highly variable patterning. There is a potentially small population that resides among some of the small islands of western Lake Erie. The snake has a broad head with two distinct light-colored bands down the side of the face. As long as the prey is plentiful, and conditions are easy, this snake is happy to live there. Imagine Seeing This 30-Foot Sea Snake in the Open Ocean Gulp! As with other pit vipers, it has a large head and large eyes with vertical, slit-shaped pupils. click here for my complete list of ALL snake species in Cincinnati. These snakes can grow up to 18-30 inches. If you want more detail, Its not that timber rattlesnakes are more aggressive than garter snakes or that theyre out to get you its a matter of protection. This snake is small and slender and averages about 2.5 feet in . The most important things to keep an eye on include: With snakes, there are two important lengths to consider: the average length and the maximum length. There are 25 different snakes in Ohio, of these, there are 3 venomous snakes. The most common black snake in Ohio is likely the gray rat snake, which is sometimes known as the black snake. Eastern Copperhead Eastern Copperhead Adults can grow to around 39 to 45 inches in length, with the largest specimen found in Alabama measuring 62.5 inches. The black kingsnake is a glossy black color. Eastern milk snakes are typically reddish-brown or brown with black markings. After a poisonous snake has bitten someone, they will attempt to kill it to take it in to be identified. Its a very small snake that averages about three feet long. In the United States, there are four species of hognose snake: If you see a snake with an upturned nose that kind of falls off to one side like a tent flap thats a hognose snake. Their coloring is designed to help them blend in. Several Ohio snake species are. This guide is meant to help There are three species of garter snake in Ohio: the Eastern garter, Easter plains garter, and the Butlers garter snake. Ohio's nonvenomous snakes do not. The eastern massasauga (endangered in Ohio) and the northern copperhead have been identified nearby. I am David, a snake enthusiast living in Akron, OH. It has an orange-brown color similar to the color of a copperhead snake, which is venomous. These snakes are not harmful to humans but are often mistaken for baby copperheads. These snakes often live in dry habitats bordering rivers, swamps, and other freshwater sources as they feed mainly on frogs and toads. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Their snout slopes down and back, making the top of the head extends further forward than the mouth. These are the Eastern timber rattlesnake, northern copperhead, and the massasauga rattlesnake. These snakes have exceptionally long tails. Lets begin! click here for my complete list of ALL snake species in Columbus. They range from Ohio, up into New York, to the Mississippi River. There are nearly 2,000 different species! In the winter, they are found hibernating in crevices in the ground. Its body is short and stocky, and its pupils are round. Vipers rely on camouflage to protect them from your attention. If it needs to be removed, call in a professional. Most of the snake species you see in your garden or around your home are harmless species like Eastern ribbon snakes. You can also connect with other people who have an interest in snakes. Its difficult to identify a baby garter snake in Ohio they can look quite similar at a young age. However, the average length for the species is 45 inches. Again, outside of Ohio, there are snakes that do not follow these rules. There are very fewEastern Massasaugasliving in the state of Ohio in fact they are listed as endangered. They can also grow as long as six feet. These snakes are marvelous climbers and have been found in trees at heights of more than 80 feet. It also has heat-sensing pits between the eyes and the nostrils. By knowing both the average and maximum length of the species, you can quickly tell whether any snake you find is possibly that type. For example: While coloration and patterning vary significantly, even within a single species, they can still be useful identification characteristics. Only one of the subfamilies, Crotalinae, is present in North America. It can be up to 7 feet long, but they are usually between 4-6 feet long. There are only two situations when youll need to call for help if you find a snake: If you encounter either of these situations, call the relevant authority using the resources Ive shared below. You can also try the Free Snake Relocation Directory on Facebook if youd like to get someone whos passionate about snakes. When something can kill you when it bites you, it's venomous. Thamnophis butleri Butlers Garter Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis Common Garter Snake, Thamnophis brachystoma Short-headed Garter snake. Each year as we get closer to summer, people all over the country begin Googling the same thing. Contents [ hide ] Dekays brown snake is a common inhabitant of forested regions in the US. There's a whole world to learn about and Colby is content to spend his life learning as much as he can about it! shy and elusive. Then sign up right now and you'll start receiving our daily newsletter absolutely free. I am David, a snake enthusiast living in Cleveland, OH. They may attain a length in excess of six feet, wildlife officials say, but average 40. Three of the species in the state are endangered and protected by either federal or state law, specifically: Ohio has three venomous snake species, namely: The rest of their approximately 25 species are non-venomous. Eastern Hog-nosed Snake: The eastern hog-nosed snake is usually gray or yellow-brown in color. It has a short head behind which is a singular red or orange ring. Reptile.Guide 2023 - All Rights Reserved, Join the discussion! These snakes are opportunists and will live wherever abundant food is available. Some Ohio snake species are more common outside of the city limits, in different parts of Lucas County OH, but many types of snakes are indeed common in the more urban parts of Toledo. TheEastern Massasauga Rattlesnakeis a small to medium-sized snake ranging from 18 to 30. If a snake bites you, someone else, or a pet, youll need the following contact details: Many different wildlife removal companies in Ohio can remove snakes for you. Kirtlands snake is a small, but striking, species with a pronounced reddish-brown stripe down its belly. Home; About Us. shy and elusive. They also tend to have black or dark brown splotches around their bodies. While theyre often mistaken for venomous snakes because of their coloration, theyre not poisonous but will vibrate their tail to imitate rattlesnakes if they feel threatened. Remember, a dead snake can still bite you. Some of the most common non-venomous snakes that youll find in Ohio are: The smooth earth snake is typically only found in southern Ohio in areas like the Shawnee and Pike state forests. However, the gray rat snake is very helpful to humans. The fact that theyre all pit vipers makes it even easier. Thats where smooth earth snakes prefer to hide. Venomous snakes exist but are uncommon in Akron, Ohio Snakes eat rats and mice and are a valuable part of the Ohio ecosystem Never kill a snake - if you leave a snake alone, it will leave you alone. Northern Copperhead photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons This four minute video features naturalist Jenny Richards of Shawnee State Park describing Ohio's three species of venomous snakes. Massasauga rattlesnakes are heavy-bodied rattlesnakes that live in Ohio. Hognose snakes have a lot of variety in their coloring depending on what their habitat is like. Distribution: Eastern massasaugas can be found across northern Ohio and are present in 28 counties. Panic theres no reason to, and it wont help you, Call for help, if the snake poses a danger to anyone or is in danger, Leave the snake alone, unless you want to take photos or observe from a safe distance, If the snake has bitten you, someone else, or someones pet, If the snake is in danger or poses a threat to others (i.e. While the brown snake is relatively neutral in color, the red-bellied snake has a bright red or orange underside which it uses to frighten predators. Nor will the snakes in Southern Ohio be the same as those in Northwest Ohio. You just need to know where to find them - they can often be So, as a rule, snakes arent poisonous, but some species are venomous. Florida Showdown: Who Emerges Victorious in a Burmese Python vs. Crocodile Battle? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Reptile.Guide is the preferred educational source on reptiles favored by experienced herptologists and new owners alike. Like mostpit vipers, theEastern copperheadsvenom is hemotoxic. The smooth earth snake gets its name from its color, and its terrestrial habits. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. If you see a well-camouflaged snake, wrapped into a tight coil, and not trying to slither away, theres a good chance its a pit viper. Contents [ hide ] Some of the complications from a Timber Rattlesnake bite may include severe shock, seizures, coma, severe internal bleeding, and deep tissue damage, leading to gangrene. Timber rattlesnakes are some of the largest venomous Ohio snakes. However, there have been reports of them growing up to 7 feet long. This species happily dwells in any place with plenty of cover and sufficient food supplies. It has large heat-sensing pits between the eyes and the nostrils. Many people think that snakes are undiscerning predators that will as happily eat a human as anything else. When he isn't distracted by his backyard birdfeeder, you can find him camping, exploring, and telling everyone around him about what he's recently learned. Part of the reason for that is that Copper Bellied Water snakes are mostly aquatic and live only in shallow wetlands where they can find frogs and other food sources.