Check out the most Common Water Snakes in Ohio that you might spot in the wilderness or even in your garden!
From the fiery Northern water snake to the colorful Kirtland, read in detail about Water Snakes in Ohio and their fascinating adaptations to aquatic environments.
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Common Water Snakes in Ohio
1. Plain Bellied Watersnake
Scientific Name: Nerodia erythrogaster
Fully grown snakes of this species boast a slender body measuring 2-4 feet in length. They have gray, brown, olive, or black hues.
The Plain-bellied Watersnake is a common sight near rivers, floodplains, lakes, ponds, and wetlands.
2. Queen Snake
Scientific Name: Regina septemvittata
Venomous: No
Typically reaching lengths of about 203 feet – the adults have a brown or olive green coloration with two lighter stripes running down their sides.
Queen Snakes show a distinct preference for habitats with moving water and are common near streams and rivers.
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3. Northern Water Snake
Scientific Name: Nerodia sipedon sipedon
Venomous: No
Adults of this species typically measure between 2-5 feet. Their coloration ranges from pale grey to dark brown hues with red-brown to black bands.
These snakes prefer slow-moving habitats like ponds, lakes, pools, marshes, and streams.
4. Eastern Garter Snake
Scientific Name: Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis
Venomous: No
Adults of this species generally measure between 2-3 feet, and showcase diverse coloration, including green, brown, or black mixtures.
These snakes are remarkably adaptable to human environments and are among the region’s most commonly sighted species.
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5. Kirtland’s Snake
Scientific Name: Clonophis kirtlandii
Venomous: No
Adults of this species typically measure between 1-2 feet in length. They display a coloration that ranges from gray-brown to red or dark brown.
Kirtland Snakes inhabit various wetland environments, including wet prairies, floodplains, meadows, marshes, and swamps.
6. Eastern Ribbon Snake
Scientific Name: Thamnophis saurita
Venomous: No
These snakes attain a length ranging from 2-3 feet. They have a slender body, highlighted by white-cream stripes, and a notably long tail.
They are common in marshes, grassy floodplains, streams, ditches with grass, wet areas in meadows, and woodlands adjacent to wetlands.
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7. Lake Erie Water Snake
Scientific Name: Nerodia sipedon insularum
Venomous: No
The Lake Erie Water Snake grows upto 2-3 feet long. Its coloration varies, but it often displays a combination of dark brown or gray with red-brown blotches along its back.
These water snakes are common in habitats such as rocky shorelines, marshes, and shallow waters.
8. Eastern Fox Snake
Scientific Name: Pantherophis gloydi
Venomous: No
Typically ranging from 3 to 5 feet in length, these snakes exhibit a combination of light brown to gray hues. They also have large red-brown blotches along their back.
Eastern Foxsnakes commonly inhabit areas near water sources like marshes, wetlands, and stream edges.
