Snakes in Our Area(Southern Ohio)

By Levi StalderSP Herpetology Club

The Black Rat Snake

•One of the most common in this area.

•A harmless snake, non-venomous.

•Comes in small variations of color patters, ranging from black to black and brown/gray with a checkered belly. The most common variation is depicted above.

•Reach an average adult length of up to 75 inches (6 feet), however there are Black Rat Snakes that have been reported reaching over 100 inches in length (8+ feet).

•Lay clutches of up to 20 eggs, hatching in July-August.

The Northern Black Racer

•Found throughout southern and eastern Ohio.

•Is a completely black snake, with either a completely white belly, or blue-gray belly.

•Similar in size to the Black Rat Snake; tends to be slightly shorter but slightly more stocky.

•An aggressive and fast snake, reaching speeds up to 12 mph.

•Clutches up to 30 eggs, which hatch in August.

The Eastern/Common Garter Snake

•Harmless, but venomous?

•A common snake in most of the US.

•A relatively small snake that reaches a length up to 40 inches.

•Gives live birth of up to 40 young.

Northern/Common Water Snake

•This is NOT a Copperhead.

•The Common Water Snake is harmless and non-venomous.

•However, this snake is aggressive.

•Prefer to be near water, where they may hunt freely.

•Reach lengths up to 45 inches; tend to be rather stocky.

•Give live birth to up to 40 young.

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The Rough Green Snake•A harmless, even docile snake.

•A climbing snake reaching 45 inches in length and tends to be very thin.

•Seem to be less common than in previous years.

•Lays up to 14 eggs

The Eastern Hognose Snake•A harmless, yet venomous snake.

•Eastern Hogs have a variety of color patterns: brown, checkered (yellow, tan, brown, and red), and black.

•Eastern Hogs will flare out "hoods" to intimidate anyhting that threatens them, they also have a loud robust hiss, and will play dead if the last two tactics do not work in deterring the predator/threat.

•Reach up to 50 inches in length.

•Lay a clutch of up to 60 eggs.

The Timber Rattlesnake•A timid, venomous snake.

•Is rarely seen in this area, but is seen on rare occasion.

•Reach up to 60 inches length.

•Uses Neurotoxic/Hemotoxic venom (attacks the nervous system resulting in respiratory failure and attacks the circulatory system).

•Bites from these snakes are rare, and fatalities of humans from these bites is even more rare, with the last confirmed fatality in Iowa during the late 1800's.

•Give live birth to up to 14 young.

The Canebrake Rattlesnake(Southern version of the Timber

Rattlesnake)Owned by Larry Cartmill

Location: NECCO/ Tri State Herp Society Meeting

The Copperhead•The most common venomous

snake in this area.

•Reach up to 45 inches in length.

•Give live birth to up to 10 young.

•These snakes use a Neurotoxic venom which effects the nervous system, shutting down the respiratory system.

•Deaths from a Copperhead bite are extremely rare; and have technically never happened.

Copperheads 'Debunked'

•Do NOT smell like cucumbers.

•Do NOT commonly hunt in pairs.

•Do NOT cross breed with Black Rat Snakes.

•Juveniles are NOT more venomous than adults.

•Do have a yellow tail when born, and use it as a lure.