How many types of snakes are in Ohio?

Ohio is home to about 33 species of snake, and only 3 of them are venomous.

What type of poisonous snakes are in Ohio?

The three venomous snakes in Ohio are the Northern Copperhead, the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, and the Timber Rattlesnake.

What is Ohio’s most deadliest snake?

TIMBER RATTLESNAKE

By virtue of their large size, timber rattlesnakes are the most dangerous snakes in northeastern America. They may attain a length in excess of six feet, wildlife officials say, but average 40 inches in length.

What are the biggest snakes in Ohio?

The black rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta) is the largest species of snake in Ohio. It can reach lengths of up to eight feet, averaging 42 – 72 inches. It is black with a faint gray or brown checkerboard pattern and white between its scales. They are native to most of Ohio.

What is the deadliest animal in Ohio?

The timber rattlesnake is the most dangerous animal in Ohio. The venom this snake packs is a strong neurotoxin capable of causing significant pain, and potentially even death in some cases.

Will a black rat snake bite you?

Black rat snakes are one of the longest snakes in North America. While the most common black snakes or Western rat snakes are not venomous, all black snakes can bite in self-defense or if stepped on. The black snake’s bite may not be fatal, but it can still hurt a lot.

Do water moccasins live in Ohio?

The Water Moccasin does NOT live naturally in Ohio. The closest that it gets to Ohio is southernmost Illinois. Still, since you may visit an area where it lives, learn about this snake. And be very careful!

What happens if a garter snake bites you?

Bite. While most species are classified as harmless (non-venomous), their bite can cause minor swelling or itching in humans, and anyone bitten by a garter snake should clean the bite thoroughly. It is not ultimately a cause for concern.

Where do poisonous snakes live in Ohio?

They’re found in Warren, Clark, Champaign, Licking, Wayne and Wyandot counties. I’ve personally seen only two massasaugas, one on the Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area in Wyandot and Marion counties and one at the Willard Marsh Wildlife Area in Huron County, both spotted long years ago.

How common are venomous snakes in Ohio?

three venomous
There are only three venomous, or poisonous, snakes in Ohio. These are the Eastern timber rattlesnake, northern copperhead, and the massasauga rattlesnake. Every year people claim to see the dangerous water moccasin, also known as cottonmouth, in Ohio’s waters.

What part of Ohio has rattlesnakes?

The Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake lives in scattered populations in western and northern Ohio. Before early settlers came to the state, this rattlesnake lived in many prairies across Ohio.

Do water moccasins live in Ohio?

The Water Moccasin does NOT live naturally in Ohio. The closest that it gets to Ohio is southernmost Illinois. Still, since you may visit an area where it lives, learn about this snake. And be very careful!

Are snakes a problem in Ohio?

Only three species of snakes in Ohio (the copperhead and the massasauga and timber rattlesnakes) are venomous. None of these snakes are common. Problems with snakes range from occasional encounters with a single snake to infestations of large numbers of snakes in basements and out-building foundations.

Are Lake Erie water snakes poisonous?

The Lake Erie Watersnake is not venomous.

Is a water moccasin a pit viper?

The cottonmouth or water moccasin, Agkistrodon piscivorus, is a semi-aquatic pit viper found throughout the southeastern United States and into east Texas. Cottonmouth snakes are part of the Crotalinae family of pit vipers which includes rattlesnakes and copperheads.

Where do snakes go in the winter in Ohio?

To survive the frigid weather, snakes hide away in dens called hibernacula. These can be the burrows of other animals, holes in the ground, or even someone’s basement.

How can you keep snakes away?

How to Keep Snakes Away from Your House
  1. Replace grass or mulch with gravel. Snakes can’t move or hide easily on gravel and other hard surfaces.
  2. Remove bird feeders, birdbaths, and other sources of food and water. …
  3. Keep pet food inside. …
  4. Trim bushes and trees. …
  5. Reconsider water features. …
  6. Install snake-proof fencing.