Snakes are rampant at these Ohio lakes. Here’s what to watch for
As the weather warms up in Ohio, so does snake season. And if you like swimming in any of Ohio’s beautiful lakes, you may want to be aware of some slithering swim buddies that could join you out on the water.
We’re talking snakes and in Ohio, there are four main snakes trying to take a dip: the common water snake, copper-bellied water snake, Eastern fox snake and the Lake Erie water snake.
So, which Ohio lakes run rampant with these snakes? And how can you identify them? Let’s take a look:
Snake-infested lakes in Ohio
Lake Erie
Lake Erie is the fourth-largest lake in the Great Lakes and is a huge tourist spot, filled with plenty of opportunities to fish, boating and camping. However, tourists might not like the lake’s main snake species, named after the lake itself: the Lake Erie water snake. According to World Atlas, it is “a species named after the lake as it is primarily found on its offshore island.”
The snake can grow up to 28 inches long, but don’t worry, it isn’t venomous.
The Pymatuning Reservoir
This man-made lake is one of Ohio’s largest bodies of water, rounding out at about 17,000 acres, according to World Atlas. The Reservoir boasts an impressive variety of wildlife, including bears, geese, foxes, birds and of course, snakes.
“The most common species in the region is the common water snake. This large and non-venomous snake is found in many regions across North America. The good part for humans is that it is not harmful and will often try to flee from interactions,” as stated on World Atlas.
Mosquito Creek Lake
This lake is abundant with marshes, woodland and over 7,000 acres of surface area, making it one of the most popular lakes to visit in Ohio. It is known for its fishing and boating spots, as well as horseback riding and snowmobiling opportunities in the colder months, but according to A-Z Animals, “it is also one of the most snake-infested lakes in Ohio, as it plays host to the common water snake, Eastern fox snake, and Copper-bellied water snake.”
If you see snakes, here’s how to identify which are more lethal than others:
How to identify them
- According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Lake Erie water snake has a brown or gray large body with a yellowish-white underbelly.
- According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources: the common water snake is a “stout-bodied snake” with “extreme variations in color and pattern.” The snake can grow up to 42 inches and is mistaken for a cottonmouth (which don’t live in Ohio).
- The copper-bellied water snake typically “have a solid dark (usually black) back with a bright orange-red belly. They grow to 3 to 5 feet in length,” according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- The Ohio Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) described the Eastern fox snake as similar in coloration to a copperhead because it not only has “bold black and yellow coloration,” but it can also vibrate its tail, which can look and sound a bit like a copperhead. The PARC also noted that the Eastern fox snake can grow between 48 and 60 inches long.
