Venomous Snakes in Ohio

Introduction

Ohio has only three venomous snakes and two of them are found on the states endangered species list. Each of these snakes is a member of the Viperidae family commonly called pit vipers (HerpeScope). The Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokeson), Eastern Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), and Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) snakes are found in Ohio but often in limited areas.

This paper will provide a brief overview of how to identify a venomous snake, as well as some details of each of our Ohio vipers. This paper will also look at each snake highlighting where and how they live.

How To Know A Snake Is Dangerous

In order to gain an understanding of the venomous snakes that live in Ohio we must begin with knowing how to identify them as well as to differentiate them from non-venomous snakes. To do this we begin with general feature descriptions of both venomous and non-venomous snakes provided by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife.

Non-venomous snakes share some common attributes from head to tail. These include an oval head, round pupils, nostrils only (no pits), divided scales underside of their tail, and no rattles at the end of their tails. Venomous snakes, although sharing some general traits with non-venomous snakes, have distinct features that give us some warning to use caution. For instance a triangular head is likely the first noticeable appearance. Venomous snakes have pupils that are elliptical, nostrils as well as pits, and undivided scales on the underside of their tail. Lastly, with the exception of the copperhead, venomous snake’s tails end in a rattle (OHS).

Identifying each of Ohio’s venomous snakes begins by knowing generally where you might encounter them within the state. A more detailed description of their locations can be found later in this document, but for our immediate purposes we will provide an overview here. If you look at a map of the state of Ohio and draw a line from the upper northeast corner to the lower southwest corner you will have a basic idea of where to find these snakes. The upper portion of our map will belong to the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake. In the lower portion you will find the Northern Copperhead. Locating the Eastern Timber Rattlesnake is little more difficult, but in an oversimplified description you will find that the Timber Rattler located in the southern-central most part of the state and interestingly in a small area near western Lake Erie.

If you encounter one of these snakes, having a general description of their appearance will help you know how to avoid having an incident. The Massasauga has a stocky body and grows to about thirty inches in length. Its eyes have vertical pupils and its head is triangle shaped. Although some adults are completely black the Massasauga generally has dark rounded blotches against a gray or brownish gray background. You will also find that the Massasauga has a rattle on the end of its tail, however small it should be noticeable. As for the Timber Rattler, lengths are about fifty-four inches, although a maximum of seventy-four has been noted. Like the Massasauga its pupils are vertical and its head is triangular. Coloration for the Timber Rattler varies from yellow to brown with dark colored banding that is sometimes V-shaped. The tail is black and has a noticeable rattle. Finally, we have the Copperhead. The Copperhead’s body is stocky and reaches lengths of up to thirty-six inches. Colors of copper, orange, and pinkish can be found for the background with dark, chestnut colored bands on the body. The Copperhead does not have a rattle on its tail (OPLIN).

Where Can You Find These Snakes

The number of venomous snakes found in Ohio has been declining. Two of the three snakes mentioned here, the Massasauga and the Timber Rattler are on the Ohio Endangered Species list. This makes is it increasingly more difficult to locate them. Ohio’s venomous snakes are found in limited areas of the state, the Eastern Timber Rattlesnake and Eastern Massasauga these areas are diminishing even further.

The Eastern Massasauga snakes make their home in the northern portion of the state. It can be found habitats such as bogs, swamps and wet prairie areas. In the spring and autumn the Massasauga is considered to be active during the daytime (diurnal), however in the summer it becomes more active during twilight and even nocturnal.

The Eastern Timber Rattlesnake has a shrinking coverage area in Ohio. They only occur in about a handful of southern counties and interestingly on the western islands of Lake Erie, as well as the peninsulas of Catawba and Marblehead. No confirmed sightings have been made since the 1950’s (OPLIN). Ohio’s Timber Rattler finds habitat in remote, hilly wooded areas with rock outcrops. Like the Massasauga, the Timber Rattler is diurnal in the spring and fall but as summer heats up the Timber Rattler becomes nocturnal. In the winter season, it will hibernate often with other snake species.

The Northern Copperhead is most often found in the southern counties in the western half of the state and in all but the northern counties in the eastern half areas of the state. The Copperhead lives in various types of habitat like wooded areas, piles of rotting wood, as well as on farms and in towns and cities. Similar to the Massasauga and the Timber Rattlers, the Copperhead is diurnal in spring and fall, but is nocturnal during the summer (OPLIN).

How Do Snakes Locate Prey

As described in an article from The University of Georgia College of Agricultural on the copperhead, venomous snakes have heat sensitive pits that they use to locate their prey as well as guide their strike. This pit along with their sense of smell allows the snakes to find the envenomed prey (Mengak). The venomous snakes in Ohio are of pit viper family, Viperidae (Answers). We get this name from heat sensitive pit which allows them to locate prey, even at night. We learn from Ohio History Central Online that “Even in total darkness, the snake can find and accurately strike at prey that is only a fraction of a degree warmer than their surroundings. Studies have shown that a blindfolded snake can accurately follow prey up to 6 feet away (OHS).” Snakes are also sensitive to vibrations and this can be used to track the movements of potential meals.

Small mammals such as mice, voles, chipmunks, and even rabbits and squirrels are part of the diet of the Timber Rattler. For the Copperhead and Massasauga they will add to this list birds, other small snakes, frogs, toads, and salamanders to their diets. The Timber Rattler and the Copperhead like to eat during the day in the spring and fall and at night during the summer. The Massasauga feeds in early morning, late afternoon, or at night.

Once snakes locate their prey they use their venom to subdue it so they can kill and eat it. Venom is injected through the use of fangs located in the front of the upper jaw of the pit viper. After being injected the prey’s nervous system, tissue, blood or all three will be affected. The venomous saliva, known as hematoxic, which means is destroys tissue, also aids in the digestion process (OHS).

Breeding

Each of the three venomous snakes of Ohio are ovoviviparous (eggs develop in the body of the parent and hatch within or immediately after being expelled) (ODNR). The Massasauga has a short breeding period from April to May and will produce between two to nineteen young. The Timber Rattler breeds between August and April during which they have from five to seventeen offspring. The Copperhead has a split breeding season from August to October and then from February to April. Copperheads have three to ten live young.

According to research conducted in Kansas and noted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, female Copperheads become sexually mature at three years of age. The Massasauga typically produces their first offspring between three and four years of age. The Timber Rattler does not become sexually mature until they are about nine or ten years of age. This is noted for the northern portions of their habitat range (ODNR).

What’s The Concern

When a species is at risk of becoming extinct we should become concerned. Whether seen or unseen each species lost effects the ecosystem. While some effects can be measured, others may take time before we realize the impact. Two of the three vipers of Ohio, the Massasauga and the Timber Rattler are on the states endangered species list and are protected under the law. The reasons for the loss in both the Massasauga and the Timber Rattler are focused on extensive farming and the destruction of habitats (OPLIN). One of the main issues is the general misunderstanding of snakes which leads to people destroying these snakes and their habitats.

From a management plan perspective the Ohio Division of Wildlife promotes legislation to protect the habitats of the Massasauga. Part of the plan is to identify areas of wetland and grasslands that have been reduced and provide information to the public to influence conservation of these areas. The state also has efforts to track sightings of Timber Rattlers in an effort to protect existing populations instead of attempting to increase them. The intention is that of recovery of the species in the state and the Division is focusing on education to dispel the many negative stereotypes about this and other snakes in Ohio (ODNR)

Conclusion

Before drafting this paper on the venomous snakes in Ohio, I really did not give this topic much thought. Researching the information about Ohio’s three vipers, the Copperhead, the Massasauga, and the Timber Rattler has raised my personal awareness of these snakes. I have found that having a better understanding of each of these snakes behaviors and habitats gives me a new found respect and concern for them.