Venomous animals in Ohio

Venomous species living here
53 venomous snakes, 2 venomous spiders

The ones that need the most respect: timber rattlesnake. A bite from any of them is a medical emergency.

Dangerous: 1Medically significant: 4
  • 1 dangerous
  • 4 medically significant
Venomous snakes
3
Venomous spiders
2
Scorpions
0
Centipedes
0
Open records
439
Counties with any record
40

Where they turn up in Ohio

Knox: CopperheadGreene: Eastern massasaugaSummit: Timber rattlesnakeWarren: Eastern massasaugaDelaware: Prairie rattlesnake, Timber rattlesnakeLicking: Copperhead, Eastern massasaugaHocking: Copperhead, Timber rattlesnakeLucas: Eastern massasaugaMeigs: CopperheadHuron: Eastern massasaugaRichland: Brown recluseHighland: CopperheadColumbiana: CopperheadStark: Eastern massasaugaWashington: Black widow, CopperheadMontgomery: Brown recluseAdams: Black widow, Copperhead, Timber rattlesnakeRoss: Copperhead, Eastern massasauga, Timber rattlesnakeScioto: Black widow, Copperhead, Timber rattlesnakeSeneca: Eastern massasaugaFairfield: Copperhead, Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Eastern massasauga, Timber rattlesnake, Western diamondback rattlesnake, Western rattlesnakeTrumbull: Eastern massasaugaPike: CopperheadLawrence: CopperheadCuyahoga: Copperhead, Eastern massasaugaFranklin: Eastern massasauga, Timber rattlesnakeHamilton: Black widow, Brown recluse, Copperhead, Striped bark scorpionHardin: Eastern massasaugaJackson: Copperhead, Timber rattlesnakeAthens: Black widow, CopperheadFayette: Eastern massasaugaOttawa: Eastern massasauga, Timber rattlesnakeVinton: Copperhead, Timber rattlesnakeWyandot: Eastern massasaugaPerry: Black widow, CopperheadChampaign: Eastern massasaugaPaulding: Eastern massasaugaMuskingum: CopperheadAshtabula: Eastern massasaugaErie: Prairie rattlesnake
Number of venomous species with open GBIF records in each county. Blank counties often mean nobody has posted a record yet, not that nothing lives there.

Venomous snakes in Ohio

Venomous snakes in Ohio: map, photos and look-alikes

Venomous spiders in Ohio

Venomous spiders in Ohio: map, photos and look-alikes

When they are out

JanFeb: 1 records (spider)FebMarApr: 14 records (venomous snake)Apr: 3 records (spider)AprMay: 27 records (venomous snake)May: 4 records (spider)MayJun: 26 records (venomous snake)Jun: 2 records (spider)JunJul: 42 records (venomous snake)Jul: 1 records (spider)JulAug: 34 records (venomous snake)Aug: 5 records (spider)AugSep: 16 records (venomous snake)Sep: 4 records (spider)SepOct: 6 records (venomous snake)Oct: 4 records (spider)OctNov: 1 records (spider)NovDec: 1 records (spider)Dec
Open records by month; most fall in May to August. People record animals when they are outdoors too, so winter looks quieter than it may be.

Recorded, but not living here

A rare record means someone found or reported the animal once or a few times, but there is no known population. Many are strays, pets or hitchhikers in cargo.

Harmless look-alikes in Ohio

Quick answers for Ohio

Questions

How many venomous snakes live in Ohio?

3 species: Timber rattlesnake, Copperhead and Eastern massasauga.

Are there brown recluse spiders in Ohio?

Yes. The brown recluse lives in Ohio. Open records come from 3 counties.

Are there scorpions in Ohio?

Only rare records, no known population.

When are venomous animals most active in Ohio?

Most open records from Ohio fall in May to August. Records follow when people are outdoors too, so treat this as a guide, not a rule.

What should I do after a bite or sting?

Call 911 for any venomous snakebite or a severe reaction. For spider bites and scorpion stings, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, free and open 24/7.

Neighboring states