VENOMOUS REPTILES
Currently in Ohio there are only three species of reptiles that are venomous. All three species are snakes, and all three are in the pit viper family. While they range in size and toxicity, all three are capable of inflicting damage to humans with their venom. Although they are dangerous to humans, they are seldom aggressive unless threatened or cornered. The best thing to do when encountering these beautiful creatures is to keep your distance and do NOT try to handle the snake!
Massasauga Rattlesnake
NOT Found in Jackson County, OH
Timber Rattlesnake
Found in Jackson County, OH
Northern Copperhead
Found in Jackson County, OH
Also known as a swamp rattler, the eastern massasauga rattlesnake is a small snake that ranges 18-24" in length. Can be found in wetland areas and swamps. This snake is very docile and seldom strikes unless provoked or cornered. Even though this snake has highly toxic venom, the typical bite does not deliver enough quantity to be lethal. This is still a dangerous snake and should be treated with caution. Can be identified by the small rattle, gray body and dark spots along body. Do not try to handle this snake.
Timber rattlesnakes have a very painful bite and is often considered the most dangerous snake in northeastern America. It can get up to nearly 6ft long but most average 40" in length. Timber rattlesnakes have two basic color phases: yellow which has chevron shapes along the body and black phase has dark chevrons along a black scaled body. It is VERY DANGEROUS and should be treated with caution. Typically occupies a variety of habitats along wooded hillsides. While this beautiful animal is capable of inflicting serious harm on humans it is still very docile and would choose to retreat before attack. Leave them alone and they will leave you alone. Please do not try to handle this snake.
While the copperhead bite rarely results in death due to low amount of venom injected, It is still VERY DANGEROUS and should be treated with caution. Ranges 24-36" long with a copper colored head with hourglass shapes along the body. Typically occupies a variety of habitats along rocky hillsides and can be seen after warm rains crossing the steaming roads. While this beautiful animal is capable of inflicting serious harm on humans it is still very docile and would choose to retreat before attack. Leave them alone and they will leave you alone. Please do not try to handle this snake.
It is difficult to estimate the age of a rattlesnake by counting the number of rattles at the end of the tail. A new segment develops each time the snake sheds its skin. Timber rattlesnakes shed 8 times in their first 4 years and then continue shedding once per year thereafter. In addition, old segments are occasionally lost.