The document summarizes several snake species commonly found in Southern Ohio, including the Black Rat Snake, Northern Black Racer, Eastern Garter Snake, Northern Water Snake, Rough Green Snake, Eastern Hognose Snake, Timber Rattlesnake, Canebrake Rattlesnake, Copperhead, and debunks some myths about Copperheads. It provides descriptions of physical characteristics, behaviors, habitats, and other details to help with identification of these snakes in the region.

1. Snakes in Our Area
(Southern Ohio)
By Levi Stalder
SP Herpetology Club

2. 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).

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Double-click to add title

8. 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

9. 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.

11. 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

12. The Canebrake Rattlesnake
(Southern version of the Timber Rattlesnake)
Owned by Larry Cartmill
Location: NECCO/ Tri State Herp Society Meeting

13. 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.

14. 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.