Debunking the myth – Rattlesnakes in Muskingum County

I was recently talking to a landowner about a snake he had seen on his property that he was convinced was a rattlesnake. After a long conversation and stroll through a field guide, I determined it was a harmless eastern milk snake. This snake was displaying a behavior common of non-venomous, where they will shake their tails to mimic a rattlesnake. When the tail vibrates off dried leaves and vegetation, it sounds vaguely rattle-like, and I can understand where people might be confused as to the identity of the snake. In nature, this type of mimicry may save the snakes life, as most wild mammals will steer clear of a rattlesnake. Unfortunately, when humans hear this sound, it often does not end well for the snake. So, I thought I’d take the opportunity to talk about one of the two species of rattlesnakes we actually have in Ohio.

Ohio is home to three venomous snakes, the northern copperhead, eastern massasauga rattlesnake, and the timber rattlesnake. Only the copperhead has ever been documented in Muskingum County. We do not have rattlesnakes in this county. Both the massasauga and timber rattlesnakes are endangered species, require very specific habitat, and avoid areas where humans are present. The massasauga lives in bogs, swamps and wet prairies in isolated populations in the state. They are a small, non-aggressive snake, with a beautiful gray to brownish gray appearance, and of course visible rattles on their tail. The timber rattlesnake is a large, thick bodied snake that make their home remote forested areas in isolated populations in Zaleski, Pike, Shawnee and Tar Hollow state forests. They can grow to 6 feet in length and come in both a yellow phase with brown bands, and a black phase with brownish black bands. Although they are a large snake, they are known for their mild disposition and will not rattle or strike unless thoroughly provoked. In other words, if you poke the snake with a sharp stick, it will try to bite you; otherwise, if you leave it alone, it won’t bother you. All Ohio venomous snake can be quickly identified by a triangular shaped head with elliptical (cats eye) pupils. The copperhead has hourglass shaped bands across the width of its body. If you ever look at a photo of one of these snakes, you’ll never confuse them with a non-venomous snake. These guys look very different. They are pit vipers, with heat sensing pits on the front of their face and the triangle head housing the venom pits.

Both our Ohio rattlesnakes, especially the timber rattlesnake, have seen drastic reductions in in their population due to human development and outright persecution. Female timber rattlesnakes do not breed until they are 8 to 10 years old, and their offspring hibernate in dens with a home range of several miles from the den. The young snakes return to the den where they are born for the rest of their lives. The destruction of this den often results in high mortality in young snakes and most adult females will stop reproducing altogether. The snakes are rarely seen leaving the dens, which makes them difficult to locate and preserve. The Ohio Division of Wildlife monitors and populations of timber rattlesnakes with the goal to protect existing populations, as opposed to increasing their occupied range. In other words, for those of you who don’t like snakes, the division is not re-introducing, nor have they ever re-introduced rattlesnakes in Ohio. They are simply trying to save the existing populations.

So why save rattlesnakes? Well for starters if you’re a farmer, snakes eat a lot of nasty, disgusting, disease-infested rodents that cause crop damage, decreased yields, and disease in both humans and livestock. These snake have venom to kill their prey, versus non-venomous snakes which are constrictors. They are not venomous to harm people or pets, it’s strictly for survival. All snakes play a vital role in the ecosystem and are a unique part of the fauna of Ohio. They serve to reduce numbers of many small mammals and insects and have both historical and cultural significance throughout the state. Plus, snakes are just awesome animals. Just because we fear them is not a reason to kill them. When people tell me that want to kill all snakes, just in case they are venomous, I remind them that very few people are bitten by venomous snakes in the United States. You are more likely to be struck by lightning than bitten by a venomous snake. So, live and let live and look up a picture of these snakes, just to avoid any future confusion.

Nicole Hafer is an education and wildlife specialist with Muskingum Soil and Water Conservation District.