Venomous snakes in Ohio
Venomous snakes living in Ohio
3species, plus 1 with rare records
Timber rattlesnake, Copperhead, Eastern massasauga. A bite from the timber rattlesnake is a medical emergency.
How to recognize them
Timber rattlesnakeDangerous77 records, 12 counties
CopperheadMedically significant171 records, 20 counties
Eastern massasaugaMedically significant161 records, 20 counties
Timber rattlesnake Crotalus horridus
- Dark V- or chevron-shaped bands across the back
- Black tail ending in a rattle
- Yellow, tan or dark phases; some are almost black
Copperhead Agkistrodon contortrix
- Copper to tan body with dark hourglass bands: wide on the sides, narrow on the spine
- Plain coppery head with no pattern
- Young snakes have a bright yellow-green tail tip
Eastern massasauga Sistrurus catenatus
- Gray or brown with large dark blotches down the back
- Small rattle
- Nine large plates on top of the head
Every venomous snake species known from the US is on this site.
Counties with records
- None recorded
- 1 species
- 2
- 3 to 4
- 5 or more
Active months
Rare records
- Rare records Prairie rattlesnake 5 open records, latest 1988
Harmless snakes people mistake for them
- Copperhead vs Northern Water Snake Northern water snake: harmless
- Copperhead vs Rat Snake Rat snake: harmless
- Copperhead vs Milk Snake Milk snake: harmless
- Copperhead vs Hognose Snake Eastern hognose snake: harmless
Water snakeHarmlessHarmless
Northern water snakeHarmlessHarmless
Eastern hognose snakeHarmlessHarmless
Rat snakeHarmlessHarmless
Milk snakeHarmlessHarmless
Quick answers
- Lives here Are there rattlesnakes in Ohio?
- Lives here Are there copperheads in Ohio?
- Not here Are there cottonmouths in Ohio?
- Not here Are there coral snakes in Ohio?
Questions
How many venomous snakes are in Ohio?
3 species live in the state: Timber rattlesnake, Copperhead and Eastern massasauga.
Which venomous snakes in Ohio are dangerous?
Timber rattlesnake, Copperhead and Eastern massasauga: a bite is a medical emergency.
When are venomous snakes most active in Ohio?
Most open records fall in May, July to August.
Which harmless snakes get mistaken for venomous ones in Ohio?
Northern water snake, Rat snake, Milk snake and Eastern hognose snake. See the side-by-side comparisons below.