• Snake ID, please?

    Question

    Saw this snake at the Rookery on Sunday. He was about 3 feet long and headed toward the water on the Interurban Trail. What kind of snake is this? Thank you!

    Naturalist's Response

    That is one of our most common and widespread snakes in Geauga County. The Rookery is a great place to see them, as they love to bask in the sun near water. That is a Northern Water Snake in your photo. Unfortunately, they are commonly mistaken for water moccasins or cottonmouths, neither of which live in Ohio. Northern Water Snakes are rather shy and will retreat to the water for safety if you get too close. Fairly harmless, unless you pick one up. Then they will aggressively defend themselves and bite.

    Thanks for the question.

    NATURE NOTE: Ohio is home to three different venomous snakes: the Timber Rattlesnake, Massasauga Rattlesnake and Copperhead, none of which have been reported in Geauga County.

    – Naturalist Trevor Wearstler