Meet the Snake Species Living in the Ohio River Basin

About 25 million people, or 8% of the population of the U.S., live in the Ohio River basin. The river spans 981 miles, starting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and flowing to Cairo, Illinois, where it empties into the Mississippi River. It forms the border for multiple states and is a source of drinking water for over five million people.

Not only a source for recreation and cargo ships, the Ohio River supports a diverse wildlife population. Forty-seven species of freshwater mussels live in the river, including eight that are federally endangered. The endangered American paddlefish (weighing an average of 60 pounds, with a record catch of 200 pounds) can be found swimming in its waters. Migratory birds, beavers, fish, turtles, and many other animals live in and along the Ohio River. The Ohio River is also an ideal habitat for snakes. What types of snakes inhabit the Ohio River? Are they venomous, and how can you tell? Let’s find out.

1. Common Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon)

The common watersnake (Nerodia sipedon) is native to North America and can often be spotted basking in the sun on stumps, logs, or rocks along the Ohio River. There are four subspecies of common watersnake, but only two of those subspecies live in the Ohio River: the Midland watersnake (Nerodia sipedon ssp. pleuralis) and the Northern watersnake (Nerodia sipedon sipedon). According to The Center for North American Herpetology, northern watersnakes can be found up and down the Ohio River, while the Midland watersnake’s range is along the Illinois-Kentucky and Indiana-Kentucky borders.

Common watersnakes are nonvenomous. However, they are sometimes confused with the venomous northern cottonmouth. Reaching up to 42 inches long, these shy snakes will typically drop into the water and flee when they see a human. However, if bothered or grabbed, they defend themselves vigorously, biting multiple times. Although their bite has no venom, the wounds can be painful, with swelling and infections.

2. Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus)

The ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus), also known as the eastern ribbon snake or the common ribbon snake, is less prevalent along the Ohio River than the common watersnake. According to a map of its range published by CNAH, ribbonsnakes can be found in the Ohio River at the Illinois-Kentucky border, the Indiana-Kentucky border, and a small portion of the Ohio-West Virginia border.

Ribbonsnakes grow to about 18 to 26 inches long. They are nonvenomous and are sometimes mistaken for common garter snakes. Both are in the Thamnophis genus. Ribbonsnakes are identified by their long, slender black bodies with yellow stripes. They also have a white mark in front of their eyes, which garter snakes do not have. It may be hard to encounter a ribbonsnake in the Ohio River, although they are present. They are speedy swimmers and are likely to flee when they see a human. Ribbonsnakes feast on a diet of amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. They rarely bite, even when they are being handled.

3. Kirtland’s Snake (Clonophis kirtlandii)

Kirtland’s snake (Clonophis kirtlandii) has a limited range along the Ohio River. This species has been spotted in the river in a few areas along the Indiana-Kentucky and Ohio-Kentucky borders. Kirtland’s snakes grow about 18 inches long. They have a dark reddish or brown back with a distinct, brightly colored belly that can be orange, red, or pink.

Kirtland’s snakes are in danger of losing their wetland habitats from urbanization and agriculture. They are protected as an endangered species in Indiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, and as threatened in Illinois and Ohio. You may not be likely to encounter this species because Kirtland’s snakes spend a lot of their time living in crayfish burrows underground. They eat a diet of earthworms, leeches, and slugs. These little snakes are nonvenomous and pose no threat to people. They tend not to bite when threatened but instead will curl up into a tight ball and play dead.

4. Copper-Bellied Watersnake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta)

Copper-bellied watersnakes (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta), like common watersnakes, are in the Nerodia genus. According to CNAH, they can be found in the Ohio River along the Illinois-Kentucky and Indiana-Kentucky borders. These snakes are around 30 to 48 inches long and, as adults, will have a dark gray or black color without a pattern.

Although these snakes prefer to avoid fast-moving water, such as rivers, you may see them around the banks of the Ohio River or in nearby shallow open wetlands. They like to bask on logs or low branches along the river. However, copper-bellied watersnakes are nonvenomous and shy. They will drop into the water and flee when they spot a human. According to the USDA, they are in danger of losing their habitats and hibernation areas.

5. Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)

Timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) are a venomous species that can be found living up and down the Ohio River. They are large snakes and typically grow around two and a half to five feet long. Some have been found as large as seven feet in length. Although they are terrestrial snakes, they are great swimmers and are sometimes seen swimming rapidly along the Ohio River. These rattlesnakes make their homes in a variety of habitats, from mountains to forests to river floodplains.

Venom from a timber rattlesnake is potent enough to kill a human. If you are bitten by a timber rattlesnake, you will need an antivenom shot and should seek medical care immediately. However, timber rattlesnake bites are rare. This species will do a lot to warn of a potential threat to leave the area before it strikes.

6. Queen Snake (Regina septemvittata)

According to CNAH, these shy and nonvenomous snakes live along the Ohio River around the Indiana-Kentucky, Ohio-Kentucky, and Ohio-West Virginia borders. Queen snakes (Regina septemvittata) may also be found in Pennsylvania. They are semi-aquatic with a preferred diet of crayfish, which live in the streams of the Ohio River basin.

They like to bask on logs or low branches and hibernate in crayfish burrows during the winter. Queen snakes grow around 15 to 24 inches long. They can be identified by their brown to olive-green color and cream-colored stripes. They aren’t venomous and are not known to harm people or pets. If this snake sees a human, it will try to flee by dropping into the water and swimming away. They aren’t even likely to bite when handled, but will release a foul, musky-smelling odor.

7. Eastern Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum)

The eastern milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum) is a subspecies of milksnake that lives in the eastern portion of the U.S. This snake lives in a variety of habitats, including fields, meadows, farms, cities, and the river bottom of the Ohio River. They grow about 24 to 36 inches long.

Milksnakes are nonvenomous and are quite beneficial at keeping rodent populations at bay. Their diet consists of lizards, other snakes, birds, and rodents. Although milksnakes are harmless, they are sometimes misidentified as venomous copperheads. If disturbed, milksnakes will lie motionless, hoping to remain undetected. If that doesn’t work, they will try to flee. These docile snakes will only bite if they feel cornered. However, they do not have fangs, and their bites cause little harm to humans.

8. Eastern Black Kingsnake (Lampropeltis nigra)

According to CNAH, the eastern black kingsnake (Lampropeltis nigra) can be found along much of the Ohio River. The eastern black kingsnake is a species of kingsnake and is in the same genus as the eastern milksnake (Lampropeltis). Their average length is 36 to 45 inches, although the record for the longest is 58 inches.

These snakes are medium to large, with a black body and traces of yellow-colored spots. They are nonvenomous but will bite if threatened. Like most snakes, eastern black kingsnakes will usually try to flee or give a warning before biting. When threatened, they shake their tails and emit a foul musk scent. Black kingsnakes are constrictors; they squeeze their prey and swallow it whole. They eat a diet of birds, lizards, and rodents.

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