Ohio Snakes Guide: Identifying All Species (With Pictures!)

Ohio snakes vary significantly in shape and form. From venomous snakes like the Copperhead to harmless species like the worm snakes, the diversity is amazing.

Perhaps as a result, snakes have a long and honored history in the area. Monuments like the snake mound in Ohio seem to point toward people worshiping these creatures in the past.

This identification guide takes a closer look at snakes in Ohio and will share basic information that can help you identify all 27 species.

In Short

Among other things, this identification guide will share:

• How to deal with venomous snakes
• Basic tools for identifying Ohio snakes
• Which snakes are the most common in Ohio
• How to identify venomous snakes native to Ohio

I’ll also share Ohio snakes in pictures, and some of my favorite resources for dealing with snakes in this state.

Ohio Snake Identification Basics

Whether you’re in Idaho or India, several essential characteristics can help you identify snakes.

The most important things to keep an eye on include:

• Length
• Location
• Coloration
• Patterning
• Head shape
• Pupil shape
• Habitat type

Length

With snakes, there are two important lengths to consider: the average length and the maximum length.

The average length is the size that a species usually reaches. Most snakes of a species never outgrow the average size.

However, in some cases, an individual will reach much longer lengths. This is usually when a snake grows up in almost perfect conditions.

These few overachievers grow to the limit of possibility for their species. Scientists use these lengths to determine the maximum length for that species.

For example, timber rattlesnakes can reach lengths of up to 74.5 inches. However, the average length for the species is 45 inches.

By knowing both the average and maximum length of the species, you can quickly tell whether any snake you find is possibly that type.

Locality And Habitat Type

Noting where you find a snake, both geographically and in terms of habitat, is essential.

Most snakes have a well-defined distribution range, which they won’t leave. The snakes in Northeast Ohio won’t be the same as those in Central Ohio.

Nor will the snakes in Southern Ohio be the same as those in Northwest Ohio. Taking note of exactly where you find a snake allows you to compare the location against a distribution map.

Some snakes, like the garter snakes, are called garden snakes because they’ll make themselves at home anywhere, including gardens.

However, most other snakes prefer a specific habitat type. For example, timber rattlesnakes prefer wooded mountainsides, while water snakes only live near freshwater.

Take note of the habitat where you see a snake, as it can help to identify the snake.

Head And Pupil Shape

Different Ohio snakes have different head shapes and pupil shapes.

Among snakes in general, you may notice the following pupil shapes:

• Round
• Horizontal
• Vertical (slit-shaped)

In Ohio, you’ll only encounter round and slit-shaped pupils. Only the pit vipers have vertical pupils. All the other species have round pupils.

Different groups of snakes also have differently-shaped heads. For example:

• The Eastern milk snakes have rounded heads no wider than their bodies.
• Pit vipers have wide heads, unlike most of the other snakes native to Ohio.
• Garter snakes have elongated heads that are the same width as their bodies.
• The Eastern hog-nosed snake has a broad, flattened head that’s absolutely distinctive.

Color And Patterning

While coloration and patterning vary significantly, even within a single species, they can still be useful identification characteristics.

For example, the Eastern ribbon snakes have long vertebral stripes that you’ll never see in the water snakes or green snakes.

If you see black snakes in Ohio, you won’t go looking at the garter snakes or green snakes, but the black rat snakes are likely candidates.

Color should only be a guiding characteristic, and never a conclusive one. Northern red-bellied snake populations and garter snake populations both sometimes produce melanistic snakes.

These animals have excessive pigmentation which makes them black. Many other aberrations (unusual variations) are possible, so never rule out a species on color alone.

Quickly Identifying Venomous Snake Species

Since there are only three types of venomous snakes in Ohio, identifying them is relatively easy. The fact that they’re all pit vipers makes it even easier.

All these snakes share most of the following characteristics:

• Large eyes with vertical pupils
• Stout bodies with strong musculature
• Neutral colors that blend well with leaf litter or stony backgrounds
• A tail that’s adapted to form a “rattle” (only in timber rattlesnakes and the Massasauga)
• Wide heads with heat-sensitive pits between the eyes and nostrils (they look triangular when seen from above)

Fun Fact: There are no poisonous snakes in Ohio. If something kills you when you bite it, it’s poisonous. When something can kill you when it bites you, it’s venomous.

These snakes also tend to wrap themselves in tightly rolled coils with the tail sticking out in an upward position. Their heads often lie ready to strike if they happen to see prey or a predator.

If you see a well-camouflaged snake, wrapped into a tight coil, and not trying to slither away, there’s a good chance it’s a pit viper.

Which Snakes Live in Ohio?

There are around 25 species of snakes in Ohio, with several more making guest appearances.

Three of the species in the state are endangered and protected by either federal or state law, specifically:

• Clonophis kirtlandii – Kirtland’s Snake
• Sistrurus catenatus – Massasauga
• Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta – Copper-bellied Water snake

Ohio has three venomous snake species, namely:

• Crotalus horridus – Timber Rattlesnake
• Sistrurus catenatus – Massasauga
• Agkistrodon contortrix – Eastern Copperhead

The rest of their approximately 25 species are non-venomous. Many of them can be divided into one of a few main groups:

Kingsnakes and Milksnakes

• • Lampropeltis nigra – Black Kingsnake
  • Lampropeltis triangulum – Eastern Milk snake

Green Snakes

• • Opheodrys aestivus – Rough Green snake
  • Opheodrys vernalis – Smooth Green snake

Rat Snakes and Fox Snakes

• • Pantherophis vulpinus – Eastern Fox Snake
  • Pantherophis obsoleta – Black Rat Snake
  • Pantherophis spiloides – Gray Rat Snake

Brown Snakes

• • Storeria dekayi – Dekay’s Brown snake
  • Storeria occipitomaculata – Northern Red-bellied Snake

Garter Snakes

• • Thamnophis radix – Plains Garter Snake
  • Thamnophis butleri – Butler’s Garter Snake
  • Thamnophis saurita – Ribbon Snake
  • Thamnophis sirtalis – Common Garter Snake
  • Thamnophis brachystoma – Short-headed Garter snake

Water Snakes

• • Nerodia sipedon – Common Water snake
  • Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta – Copper-bellied Water snake

Most of the other snakes in the region are individual representatives of their genera:

• Virginia valeriae – Smooth Earth snake
• Clonophis kirtlandii – Kirtland’s Snake
• Carphophis amoenus – Eastern Worm Snake
• Coluber constrictor – North American Racer
• Diadophis punctatus – Northern Ring-necked Snake
• Regina septemvittata – Queen snake
• Heterodon platirhinos – Eastern Hog-nosed Snake

All of these species fit into two main families, specifically the families Colubridae and Viperidae. Let’s take a closer look:

Colubridae

The family Colubridae is the largest group of snakes in Ohio, and the largest snake family in the world.

Worldwide, this family contains around 249 genera, and around two-thirds of the world’s snakes.

Typically, snakes in this family are harmless, and none of the species in Ohio are venomous. This family includes many well-known snakes like:

• Milk snakes
• King snakes
• Water snakes
• Garter snakes
• Hognose snakes

Scientists often debate the characteristics of this family, resulting in a mishmash of different snakes and characteristics being incorporated into one family.

Viperidae

The family Viperidae is a considerably smaller family, but it contains many medically significant species, including some of the world’s most venomous snakes.

Viperidae contains around 36 Genera, and four subfamilies. Only one of the subfamilies, Crotalinae, is present in North America.

Snakes in this family all share certain characteristics, namely:

• Typically nocturnal
• Medically significant venom
• Stocky bodies with heavy musculature
• Long hollow fangs that operate on a hinge
• Most have large eyes with slit-shaped pupils

The Crotalinae, or pit vipers, also have heat-sensing pits and sometimes rattles. Most of the venomous species in the US, and all those in Ohio, are vipers.

What Snakes Eat in Ohio

Much of the fear related to snakes are the result of misunderstandings. Many people think that snakes are undiscerning predators that will as happily eat a human as anything else.

Nothing could be further from the truth, and many snakes have a very specific diet from which they rarely stray.

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.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the diets which Ohio snakes adhere to:

• The hognose snake is a specified predator that feeds almost exclusively on frogs, toads, and other amphibians.
• The ring-necked snake will take other prey when the opportunity arises, but it feeds almost exclusively on mollusks like slugs and snails.
• The queen snake is known as the crayfish snake in certain areas since it feeds almost exclusively on crayfish.
• Worm snakes are highly adapted predators that burrow in moist soils to feed on the larvae and adults of termites and ants.
• The water snakes are another group of specialized predators that feed almost entirely on fish and aquatic amphibians – which is why they always live near water.

While many other species are open to eating a greater variety, their limited size means that most species only feed on a few groups of animals.

Rat snakes get their name because small rodents are their dominant food source. They can catch and eat these animals with ease.

Likewise, garter snakes generally feed on small rodents and amphibians.

Even the pit vipers, that have venom strong enough to take down a bison, prefer small animals like rats and mice.

Catching anything larger simply doesn’t make sense because they can’t swallow it. Since snakes can’t chew, they must catch prey that they can swallow whole.

So, if you’ve been worried about the snake in your garden trying to eat you, rest assured. It’s more likely to eat the mice that may become a pest in your home.

Most Common Snakes in Ohio

According to iNaturalist, the following ten species are the most common snakes in Ohio:

• Thamnophis sirtalis – Common Garter Snake
• Nerodia sipedon – Common Watersnake
• Storeria dekayi – Dekay’s Brown snake
• Pantherophis spiloides – Gray Rat snake
• Lampropeltis triangulum – Eastern Milk snake
• Diadophis punctatus – Ring-necked Snake
• Regina septemvittata – Queen snake
• Pantherophis vulpinus – Eastern Fox snake
• Coluber constrictor – North American Racer
• Storeria occipitomaculata – Red-bellied Snake

In the following sections, we’ll take a closer look at each of them, share some basic information, and tell you which characteristics are unique to each species.

Garter Snakes – Genus Thamnophis

Finding a garter snake in Ohio is about as easy as tripping over a tree root. These snakes are common residents throughout most of North America.

However, Ohio has a larger complement than most states. The Buckeye State boasts five different species.

It’s difficult to identify a baby garter snake in Ohio – they can look quite similar at a young age.

Complicating things even further is the fact that most of the species are almost identical as adults.

Water Snakes In Ohio – Genus Nerodia

There are two types of water snakes in Ohio. The first is the common water snake, a citizen of large parts of the United States.

The second, the Copper-bellied water snake, is an endangered species that’s protected by law. This species is endemic to the Central United States.

Dekay’s Brown Snake – Storeria dekayi

Dekay’s brown snake is a common inhabitant of forested regions in the US. It happily dwells anywhere with lots of vegetation and moist soils.

It has an unusual diet compared to the snakes most people are familiar with and feeds mainly on slugs and snails.

The Blunt-Headed Tree Snake is a pet snake with a similar diet.

Gray Rat Snake – Pantherophis obsoleta

As its name suggests, the gray rat snake feeds primarily on rodents. It’s a common species with no preferred habitat type.

As long as the prey is plentiful, and conditions are easy, this snake is happy to live there. Several other rat snakes occur in the region, but I’ll discuss those later on.

Eastern Milksnake – Lampropeltis triangulum

The Eastern milk snakes are striking animals that are entirely harmless. As with rat snakes, they tend to be habitat generalists.

One of the characteristic traits of this species is that it has highly variable patterning. In captivity, breeders have produced multiple milk snake morphs with significantly different patterns.

Ring-Necked Snake – Diadophis punctatus

The ring-necked snake or ringneck snake is a common species that dwells in moist woodlands, gardens, and similar locations. It gets its name from a single ring around its neck.

The color of its neck and belly serves as a warning for potential predators. It’s a bit of a scam, since these snakes are harmless.

Queen Snake – Regina septemvittata

The Queen snake is a relatively unremarkable species that travels freely wherever food is abundant.

It prefers to feed on crayfish, which led to its other names of crayfish snake or crawdad snake.

Eastern Fox Snake – Pantherophis vulpinus

The Eastern fox snake is a species of rat snake that takes the place of the corn snake in Ohio. The two snakes are similar, both in appearance and habits.

This species happily dwells in any place with plenty of cover and sufficient food supplies. You’ll often see these snakes near barns and abandoned fields, where mice are plentiful.

North American Racer – Coluber constrictor

North American racers, or blue racers, are one of the longest snakes on the continent. They get their name from their ability to move at incredible speeds when frightened.

These animals have been recorded going at speeds of four miles per hour.

Northern Red-Bellied Snake – Storeria occipitomaculata

The Northern red-bellied snake is a close relative of the Dekay’s brown snake. However, it tends to be more particular about its habitat type.

It lives almost exclusively in deciduous forests, though it may wander when food is scarce.

Venomous Snakes in Ohio

Ohio snakes don’t incorporate a large percentage of venomous species. Of the approximately 27 snake species in the state, only three are venomous.

Northern Copperhead – Agkistrodon contortrix

The Northern Copperhead is a medium-large pit viper that spends most of its time near water. It has a beautiful combination of colors that are coppery or bronze-like, hence the name.

It’s a close relative of the water moccasin, and people sometimes confuse the two. However, cottonmouths (water moccasins) don’t occur in Ohio.

Timber Rattlesnake – Crotalus horridus

Timber rattlesnakes are some of the largest venomous Ohio snakes. As the name suggests, these animals typically dwell in forests and other tree-dense habitats.

Massasauga – Sistrurus catenatus

The Eastern massasauga rattlesnake is an endangered species in Ohio and protected by law. It’s also the smallest venomous species in the area.

It prefers to live near water sources and is semi-aquatic by nature.

Non-Venomous Snakes in Ohio

Most of the Ohio snakes are non-venomous species like the garter snakes and rat snakes. Let’s take a closer look at some of the species in question.

Black Rat Snake – Pantherophis obsoleta

Finding a rat snake in Ohio is simple enough. However, the black rat snake hails from further west in the country and its range only partially covers Ohio.

This species can reach lengths of up to eight feet. More typically, it reaches lengths of around six feet.

At one point, it was considered the longest snake in North America. However, the Eastern Indigo snake, Drymarchon couperi, is longer – reaching lengths of nine feet or more.

Green Snakes – Genus Opheodrys

The rough and smooth green snakes are very similar, except for their scales. Rough green snakes have strongly keeled scales which give them a rasp-like appearance.

These animals often visit well-watered gardens where they feed on small rodents and birds.

Smooth Earth Snake – Virginia valeriae

The smooth earth snake gets its name from its color, and its terrestrial habits. It has unkeeled scales, which gives it a smooth appearance.

Eastern Hog-Nosed Snake – Heterodon platirhinos

It’s almost impossible to mistake the hognose snake for any other species. Its distinctive, flattened head and neck make it stand out.

These animals mainly feed on frogs and toads and often reside near water sources. However, they prefer dry soils, so they likely feed mainly on the toads that bury themselves in these soils.

Eastern Worm Snake – Carphophis amoenus

The Eastern worm snakes truly look like overgrown earthworms. They also like to burrow, so you’ll only see them near soft, moist soils.

They live in the soil for the most part, but also burrow in pursuit of the termites and ants that they prefer to eat. The larvae of these insects are firm favorites among worm snakes.

Kirtland’s Snake – Clonophis kirtlandii

Kirtland’s snake is a small, but striking, species with a pronounced reddish-brown stripe down its belly.

It’s not common and is classed as a threatened or endangered species in parts of its range.

Black King Snake – Lampropeltis nigra

The black king snakes and their relatives, the Eastern milk snakes, are harmless species that are fairly common throughout their range.

These snakes are opportunists and will live wherever abundant food is available. Kingsnakes are popular pets thanks to their easy-going nature and willingness to accept rodent prey.

What You Need to Know

Most of the fear people have towards snakes is rooted in misconception. By educating yourself, you can learn to live alongside snakes without fear:

• Snakes don’t want to eat you, or pursue you – they consider humans to be predators.
• Usually, snake bites are the result of someone harassing a snake, or accidentally stepping on one.
• Snake bites are rarely fatal – only around five of the 7,000 snake bites in the US every year are fatal.
• Most of the snake species you see in your garden or around your home are harmless species like Eastern ribbon snakes.
• You should never try to catch, kill, or otherwise molest a snake that you find. If it needs to be removed, call in a professional.

Snake Safety 101

It’s fairly easy to keep yourself safe from snakes as long as you follow a few simple guidelines:

• Always wear sturdy shoes when you go walking, hiking, or jogging.
• Never enter an area that’s so overgrown that you can’t see where you’re walking.
• When in a park, forest, or other “wild area” keep your pets on leashes and your children near you at all times.
• Keep your eyes open and pay attention to where you’re stepping when you enter a potential snake habitat.
• Stick to well-trodden, well-marked hiking and jogging trails – you’re less likely to step on a snake accidentally if you can see where you’re going.

About Venomous Snakes

Typically, you can have all the snakes in the world slithering around you, and you’d hardly notice. Why? Because they’re as eager to get away from you as you are to get away from them.

This rule usually applies to venomous snakes as well. However, the pit viper is a somewhat different creature, and you’re more likely to get bitten by one.

It’s not that timber rattlesnakes are more aggressive than garter snakes or that they’re out to get you – it’s a matter of protection.

Vipers rely on camouflage to protect them from your attention. Because they blend in so well and don’t try to get away from you, it’s easy to step on them by accident.

This is why it’s essential to stick to well-worn paths, wear sturdy shoes, and pay careful attention to where you’re walking.

Remember, less than 1% of snake bites in the US are fatal, thanks to modern medicine.

If You Encounter A Snake

When you encounter a snake, you don’t usually need to do anything. The list of things you shouldn’t do is considerably longer.

If you encounter a snake, don’t:

1. Try to catch or kill the snake
2. Approach the snake in any way
3. Panic – there’s no reason to, and it won’t help you

What you should do is:

1. Back away to a safe distance
2. Call for help, if the snake poses a danger to anyone or is in danger
3. Leave the snake alone, unless you want to take photos or observe from a safe distance

When To Call For Help

There are only two situations when you’ll need to call for help if you find a snake:

1. If the snake has bitten you, someone else, or someone’s pet
2. If the snake is in danger or poses a threat to others (i.e. you find a rattlesnake on a pathway in the park)

If you encounter either of these situations, call the relevant authority using the resources I’ve shared below.

What to Do if a Venomous Snake Bites You

If a venomous snake bites you, you need to know exactly what to do. Over the years, people have come up with many ideas, and some of them will kill you faster.

Snakebite victims shouldn’t:

• Try to catch and kill the snake
• Inject themselves with antivenom
• Eat or drink anything other than water
• 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, you’ll poison yourself

Snakebite victims should:

• Call 911
• Stay calm
• Try to keep the bitten area still
• 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

Useful Resources

I’ve created a list of useful resources that can help you deal with the snakes in your area.

Emergency Poisoning Advice

If a snake bites you, someone else, or a pet, you’ll need the following contact details:

• ASPCA Poisoning Hotline: 1-888-426-4435
• Poison Control Center’s national hotline: 1-800-222-1222

Snake Relocation Services

Many different wildlife removal companies in Ohio can remove snakes for you. Your local office for the Ohio Division of Wildlife should also have a list of licensed removers.

You can also try the Free Snake Relocation Directory on Facebook if you’d like to get someone who’s passionate about snakes.

Educational Resources

iNaturalist is an excellent resource for learning more about the snake species in your area, and the other wildlife. You can also connect with other people who have an interest in snakes.

You might also want to check out this slideshow of snakes native to Ohio.

Related Articles to Ohio Snakes Identification Guide

If you’re interested in other identification guides, check out our:

• Arizona Lizards Identification Guide
• Tennessee Snakes Identification Guide
• Pennsylvania Snakes Identification Guide

You can also check out our other articles on snakes – we have vital guides that you can learn from!