Venomous Snakes of Ohio

There are 25 different Ohio snake species. Out of these, there are 3 venomous snakes. This article will first list the species of venomous snakes. Then, we’ll describe each snake and tell you where you will likely find them in the state.

1. Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus)
2. Timber Rattlesnake  (Crotalus horridus)
3. Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)

Pit Vipers

Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, and Cottonmouths belong to the venomous Crotalinae or pit viper family. Another name for these snakes is pit vipers. Pit vipers have pits between their nostrils and eyes. These pits are actually specialized heat-sensing organs. They use them to detect body heat from prey animals. Pit organs enable pit vipers to strike their prey precisely, even in the dark. They are also able to detect body heat from up to 1 meter away.

Members of the pit viper family also have a large diamond-shaped head. It is attached to a comparatively slender neck. Furthermore, they have elliptical pupils that are vertical slits. This is a defining characteristic because a nonvenomous snake generally has round pupils.

Pit vipers have hollow fangs connected to venom glands. They use their fangs to inject venom into their prey. This venom immobilizes the prey, making it easier for the snake to consume. They primarily consume small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and small birds. These snakes play an important role in maintaining balance in rodent populations.

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Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake

Scientific Name:	Sistrurus catenatus
Description:	Adult Eastern Massasaugas average 22 to 30 inches (55 to 75cm) long. Their body is light grey with dark brown blotches.
Habitat:	Wetland habitats such as swamps or marshy areas near lakes or streams.
Conservation Status:	Endangered species in Ohio.

Eastern Massasaugas are one of two rattlesnake species native to the Great Lakes states. The other is the Timber Rattlesnake.

Massasauga is actually a word in the Chippewa Indian language. It means “great river mouth”. This possibly has reference to their choice of habitats. Source

These snakes prefer wet prairie grassland habitats. Consequently, swamp rattler is another name for an Easter Massasauga rattlesnake.

An Eastern Massasauga is a small rattlesnake. Adult Eastern Massasaugas grow to a length between 22 to 30 inches (55 to 75cm). Some individuals may exceed this length.

Their body is a light gray with dark blotches along the spine and along the sides. They also have a dark stripe on each side of their face and across their eye and a white stripe on their heads.   Some melanistic snakes are almost entirely black in color.

The Eastern Fox Snake and Eastern Milksnake are non-venomous snakes in the Great Lakes region. Both have similar color patterns to the Eastern Massasauga.

Massasaugas have a high-pitched rattle sound, which is different from other rattlesnakes. In fact, it’s more like the buzzing of an insect. This is why they have the nickname Buzz Tail.

Where Do Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes Live in Ohio?

There are very few Eastern Massasaugas living in the state of Ohio. In fact, they are listed as endangered. What does exist is scattered in southwestern, central, and northeastern Ohio. They are found in forested swamplands, wet prairies, lake edges, and woodlands.

Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Behavior

The Eastern Massasauga is generally thought to be docile and slow to be provoked.

They also have a reputation for being shy, timid snakes. They prefer to lie motionless in tall grass or leaf litter and let you pass by. If you approach too closely, they’ll attempt to escape to deeper cover if they’re not cornered.

This doesn’t mean they won’t bite you, though. The NIH cataloged 848 Massasauga bites in the Great Lakes region between 1800 and 2015. Source

The rattle of a massasauga is different from other rattlesnakes. It’s high-pitched and sounds more like the buzzing of a bee than a snake’s rattle.

If you come upon an eastern Massasauga too suddenly, it may bite you without rattling.

What Do Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes Eat?

An Eastern Massasauga’s primary prey is small mammals such as mice and voles. They also eat frogs, toads, and small snakes.

How Dangerous Are Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes?

Eastern Massasaugas are generally docile and slow-moving unless they are provoked.

The venom of the Massasauga rattlesnake is cytotoxic. Cytotoxic venom destroys body tissue. Moreover, digestive enzymes in cytotoxic venom disrupt blood flow and prevent clotting. Massasauga bites to humans are rare. However, they do occur and are potentially fatal.

There are two documented deaths in Ontario from Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake bites. In each case, the victim did not receive antivenom in time. Source

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Timber Rattlesnake

Scientific Name:	Crotalus horridus
Description:	Adult Timber Rattlesnakes grow between 36 and 60 inches (.91 to 1.52m) long. Their bodies are yellowish-brown with black chevron-shaped crossbands. They also have a rusty stripe down their backs. Their tails are dark brown or black.
Habitat:	Timber Rattlesnakes prefer wooded areas and hillsides with rocky outcroppings.
Conservation status:	Endangered species in Ohio.

The Timber Rattlesnake is sometimes called Eastern timber rattlesnake or Canebrake Rattlesnake. Generally, in higher-elevation habitats, they are called Timber Rattlesnakes. On the coastal plain, though, they’re called Canebrake Rattlesnakes.

The average Timber Rattlesnake grows between 36 and 60 inches (.91 to 1.52m) long. However, there have been reports of them growing up to 7 feet (2.13m) long. See

These snakes vary in color. Their general base coloration is a yellowish-brown to grey-brown, though. They have a dark brown to black chevron pattern on their back and sides against a lighter base color. This chevron pattern turns to dark bands on their dark brown or black tails. They also have a rusty to reddish stripe down their backs. Their tails are dark brown or black. There are also melanistic timber rattlers. These are dark and sometimes almost entirely black. In the black phase of these snakes, the tail is also darker than the rest of the snake’s body.

Where Do Timber Rattlesnakes Live in Ohio?

The Timber Rattlesnake lives in various habitats. These include deciduous forests, pine forests, swamps, farm fields, and river floodplains. These snakes are excellent climbers and have been found in trees at heights of more than 80 feet. In Ohio, these snakes are found in remote areas of the southern part of the state.

Wintertime Brumation

Snakes do not tolerate the cold weather in the winter months very well. They are ectotherms, which means they cannot regulate their body temperature internally. Physiologically, ectotherms cannot hibernate. Yet, they go into a state of suspended animation called brumation for up to 6 months out of the year.

Timber Rattlesnakes winter underneath rocks, in hollow logs, and in rock fissures. An individual might brumate alone in some parts of their range. However, in some areas, they congregate together in a communal den with other snakes.

In hilly terrain, south-facing slopes capture more radiant warmth from the sun. So, that is where these dens are generally located. Rock ledges with deep cracks are likely denning sites.

The other snakes they den with are not necessarily just copperheads. Sometimes, they share their dens with different types of snakes. You may find a Copperhead, or a Black Rat Snake, sharing the same den with copperheads. These wintertime dens may hold up to 60 snakes.

What Do Timber Rattlesnakes Eat?

Timber rattlers prey on small mammals such as mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, and bats. They also eat small birds, other reptiles, and amphibians.

The experts have proven that timber rattlesnakes help control Lyme disease. This is because as they consume rodents, they’re also consuming ticks. A timber rattler will consume 2,500 to 4,500 ticks per year, depending on the location. See

How Dangerous Are Timber Rattlesnakes?

Timber Rattlesnakes are among the most dangerous snakes in North America. This is due to their large size, long fangs, and high venom yield. 1% to 10% of the time, an untreated Timber Rattlesnake bite results in a fatality.

The good news is that these snakes have a relatively mild disposition. They generally give ample warning before actually striking defensively. Also, 40% to 60% of the time, they produce dry bites. In other words, although their fangs penetrate the body, they do not inject any venom. Source

These snakes produce hemotoxic venom. In other words, it destroys red blood cells. Timber Rattlesnake bites sometimes cause serious complications. These include shock, seizures, coma, internal bleeding, and deep tissue damage. Source

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Eastern Copperhead

Scientific Name:	Agkistrodon contortrix
Description:	Adult copperheads are 20 to 37 inches (50 to 95 cm) long. Their bodies are coppery brown overlayed with dark brown hourglass blotches. They have a copper-colored head.
Habitat:	Deciduous forests, river bottoms, and rocky wooded hillsides.
Conservation Status:	Common within its range in Ohio.

Ohio was formerly the home of the Northern Copperhead snake (A.c.mokasen). However, DNA analysis reveals minimal difference among former Copperhead subspecies. Today the former Northern Copperhead, Southern Copperhead, and Osage Copperhead are taxonomically combined. The common name for these snakes is Eastern Copperhead. Their scientific name is Agkistrodon contortrix. Source

The Eastern Copperhead is a pit viper native to the eastern and mid-western United States.

Eastern Copperhead snakes have reddish-tan to grayish-tan bodies. Their bodies are overlaid with hourglass-shaped dark brown markings. Their triangular heads are proportionately large. The color of their head is dark coppery brown. This is the reason they have the name “Copperhead.”

Copperheads are stout heavy-bodied snakes. Adult copperheads are 20 to 37 inches (50 to 95 cm) long.

Where Do Eastern Copperhead Snakes Live In Ohio?

You will find the Eastern Copperhead in southern Ohio. They are found in river bottoms where the leaf and plant debris provide cover for them to hide. They are also, at times, located in wooded suburbs.

Eastern Copperhead Behavior

Copperheads have excellent camouflage coloration. It helps them blend in with leaf litter and other ground debris. Furthermore, they use camouflage as their number one defense mechanism. In other words, these snakes choose to lie perfectly still rather than flee most of the time.

For defensive behavior, they occasionally mimic the tail vibration of a rattlesnake. But, in most cases, they choose to lie perfectly still.

Most copperhead bites on humans occur when the person steps on or near the snake.

Wintertime Brumation

As we discussed in the section on Timber Rattlesnakes, snakes brumate in the winter. Brumation is a reptile’s version of hibernation.

Copperheads make wintertime dens in sheltered spots. They den underneath rocks and logs, as well as in fissures in rocky hillsides. An individual Copperhead might brumate alone in some parts of their range. But in other areas, they congregate in dens with other snakes through the winter.

Dens are usually placed on slopes facing south because they get more warmth from the sun. They don’t always share their dens only with Copperheads. Sometimes, they share their dens with other species of snakes. These might include Timber Rattlesnakes or Black Rat Snakes. These wintertime dens may hold up to 60 snakes.

What Do Eastern Copperheads Eat?

Copperheads prey on a variety of species. Their menu includes small rodents, amphibians, small birds, snakes, lizards, and insects.

How Dangerous are Copperheads?

A Copperhead can bite and inject venom when they are newly born. Like most pit vipers, they have hemotoxic venom. 

Most copperhead bites are not life-threatening. On the other hand, any bite from this snake is a medical emergency and should be treated as such. If a copperhead bite victim gets medical help fast, they have a better chance of a positive outcome.

Copperhead bites can cause intense pain, shock, and swelling. Their bites also have the potential to cause blood in urine, tissue damage, and kidney failure.

An interesting study has found that Copperhead venom contains a protein called contortrostatin. Contortrostatin has been found to stop the growth of cancer cells in mice.

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Symptoms of Venomous Snake Bites

Some of the symptoms you may experience from a venomous snake bite include:

• Discoloration in the area of the bite.
• Swelling in the area of the bite.
• Loss of muscle coordination.
• Tingling sensation in the area of the bite.
• Feeling nauseous.
• Having an abnormally rapid pulse.

What Should You Do If A Venomous Snake Bites You?

If you or someone you are with has suffered a venomous snakebite, time is of the essence. This is because the sooner a victim receives anti-venom, the less likely the venom in their body is to cause harm. In other words, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.

Do not attempt to kill the snake for identification purposes. This gives the snake a chance to bite you again. Also, consider that severed snakeheads can still bite and envenomate. If you have a phone, take a picture of the offending reptile. Otherwise, get started on your way to the doctor.

First Aid for Snake Bite Victims

• Remain calm and limit your movements. Do not run. If you must hike back to a vehicle, do it calmly and deliberately. Put as little stress on your heart as possible.
• Keep the area of the snake bite below the heart level and never above the heart level. Keeping the bite below the heart level will reduce the venom’s flow. However, holding the bite above your heart level will increase the venom’s flow.

• Remove all constricting items such as bracelets, watches, or rings before swelling occurs.
• Remember that using a cold compress on a venomous snake bite is not advisable. The cold may cause the local blood vessels to constrict and spread the venom faster.
• You can wash the affected area like any other wound with soap and water.
• You may cover the bite area with a moist dressing to reduce the swelling.

• Get medical attention as soon as possible. Call the hospital to tell them a venomous snake has bitten you. So they can have anti-venom ready to give you when you arrive.
• A person whom a venomous snake has bitten may go into shock. If this happens, lay them flat and cover them with a blanket.

Dressing for Snake Country

• High-top leather boots and long pants are both wise ideas.
• Also, wear loose-fitting denim. If there’s a gap before the snake’s fangs touch your skin, your chances of being envenomated are lower.
• In the absence of high-top leather boots, some people wear snake gaiters.