Scientific Name: Elaphe obsoletaobsoleta
Picture by The Ohio Dept. Of Natural Resources
The black rat snake is Ohio's largest snake. It can grow between 42 inches and 72 inches long. It is commonly found in the forests of Ohio hiding in woodpecker holes in trees. Unfortunately, the black rat snake is one of the most commonly slaughtered snakes in Ohio. They play a very important part in controlling destructive rodents. (Denny, 19)
Name:Eastern Garter Snake
This snake is Ohio's most
common garter snake and can grow between 18 and 26 inches long. This snake can be found
living in moist habitats like wet woodlands, meadows, bogs, marshes, streams, and drainage
ditches. They feed mostly on frogs, toads, worms, salamanders, minnows and mice. (Denny,
13) Name:Eastern Ribbon Snake
The eastern ribbon snake can be
easily confused with the garter snake. The difference between the garter snake and the
eastern ribbon snake is that the eastern ribbon snake has a very long tail. Its tail
makes up 1/4 to 1/3 of its entire body length. They can grow between 18 and 26 inches
long. It is semi-aquatic, meaning it sometimes lives in the water and sometimes lives on
land. This snake prefers to eat small fish, small frogs and toads, salamanders, and
tadpoles. (Denny,14)
Name:Northern Ringneck Snake
As the name implies, this
snake has a yellowish-orange ring around its neck. Its length varies between 10 and 15
inches. The northern ringneck snake is nocturnal and spend most
of the day under logs, stones, and boards. Unlike most snakes that lay eggs, ringneck
snakes lay their eggs in a community nest that lay exposed to the sun. (Denny,
16)
Name:Northern Water Snake
Northern water snakes will live
in just about any body of water. They can grow between 24 and 42 inches long. Norhtern
water snakes can be seen sunning on logs, stumps, or rocks emerging from the water. When
they are disturbed, they drop into the water and quickly disappear. (Denny, 11)
Name:Northern Fence Lizard
This lizard belongs to a group
of reptiles called spiny lizards. They are tree climbers. These lizards prefer to live
in the dry, wooded hillsides of Ohio. The males can be distinguished from the females by
a dark blue band, that is outlined in black, across their throats and on each side of its
stomach. (Denny, 7)
Scientific Name: Thamnophis
sirtalis sirtalis
Picture by The
Ohio Dept. Of Natural Resources
Scientific Name: Thamnophis
sauritus sauritus
Picture by The
Ohio Dept. Of Natural Resources
Scientific Name: Diadophis
punctatus edwardsi
Picture by
The Ohio Dept. Of Natural Resources
Scientific Name: Natrix
sipedon sipedon
Picture by The
Ohio Dept. Of Natural Resources
Scientific Name: Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus
Picture by The
Ohio Dept. Of Natural Resources