Snakes of the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway

The following information was provided by Dr. Scott Moody of Ohio University's Department of Biological Sciences.


Ohio has 27 species of snakes, half of which may be observed along the bikeway. The most commonly seen small snakes (20-30 cm) are the Ring-necked (shown here; note the yellowish orange ring around the neck) and the Eastern Garter (whitish to yellow stripes running lengthwise on a brown body). The most frequent large snake (up to 2 meters in length) is the Black Ratsnake (grayish black with reticulate off-white color; shown on previous page). None of these are poisonous. Other harmless snakes that may be observed are the Eastern Hognose, Smooth Earth, Eastern Worm, Milk, Rough Green, Red-bellied Brown, Dekay's Brown, Northern Water, Queen and Ribbon Snakes and the Black Racer.



Only one poisonous snake may be found along the bikeway, the Copperhead (shown here), which is related to the rattlesnakes. (Southeastern Ohio once had many Timber Rattlesnakes but they have been extirpated in most areas and probably do not occur along the bikeway). The Copperhead is a medium sized snake with a triangular head that is uniformly copper to yellow/brown in color. The body has alternating light and dark areas shaped like hour-glasses and diamonds, respectively.

Never attempt to pick up any snake unless you are a trained herpetologist.

---

Return to Natural History of Hockhocking Adena Bikeway

---