Venomous snakes and spiders in Ohio
Ohio has three venomous snake species among the 25 snake species listed there: eastern copperhead, eastern massasauga and timber rattlesnake. The eastern copperhead accounts for the most records (94), and venomous species make up 3% of all 6,101 licensed snake records in the state. On the spider side, three species are medically significant: northern black widow, southern black widow and brown recluse.
Venomous snakes of Ohio
Ohio's venomous snakes are two rattlesnake species and one copperhead or cottonmouth species. Together they account for 211 licensed records; the eastern copperhead alone has 45% of them, and the least recorded, the timber rattlesnake, has 39.
Dangerous spiders of Ohio
Two widow species (Northern black widow: 14 records, Southern black widow: 5 records) and one recluse species (Brown recluse: 4 records) are on the Ohio list. Widow bites cause muscle pain and cramps; recluse bites can cause a slow-healing wound. Both are rare and seldom fatal.
Other snakes recorded most in Ohio
These eight account for 82% of all licensed snake records in Ohio; the most recorded, the common garter snake, alone for 27%.
Other spiders recorded most in Ohio
These eight account for 31% of all licensed spider records in Ohio; the most recorded, the orchard orbweaver, alone for 7%.
When are snakes out in Ohio?
Observation records of snakes in Ohio run mostly April through October, peaking in May with 27% of them. December through February together hold under 2% of the records, so snakes in Ohio are rarely recorded in winter. Venomous snakes alone have 21 observation records with a month in Ohio, too few for a season of their own.
When spiders are most active in Ohio
Observation records of spiders in Ohio run mostly April through October, peaking in June with 17% of them. Winter (December to February) holds 2% of the records.
Counties with the most venomous snake records
Scioto County has the most records of venomous snakes in Ohio, 35, most of them of the eastern copperhead. Adams County and Trumbull County follow.
| # | County | Records | Most recorded there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scioto County | 35 | Eastern copperhead |
| 2 | Adams County | 12 | Eastern copperhead |
| 3 | Trumbull County | 11 | Eastern massasauga |
| 4 | Fairfield County | 10 | Eastern copperhead |
| 5 | Hocking County | 10 | Eastern copperhead |
| 6 | Preble County | 10 | Eastern massasauga |
| 7 | Columbiana County | 9 | Eastern copperhead |
| 8 | Licking County | 9 | Eastern massasauga |
| 9 | Perry County | 8 | Eastern copperhead |
| 10 | Ross County | 8 | Timber rattlesnake |
Where in Ohio are snakes recorded most?
Summit County leads with 1,087 records (18%), followed by Ottawa County and Erie County; the top five counties hold 38% of the total. 88 of Ohio's 88 counties have at least one licensed snake record.
| # | County | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Summit County | 1,087 | 17.8% |
| 2 | Ottawa County | 357 | 5.9% |
| 3 | Erie County | 320 | 5.2% |
| 4 | Cuyahoga County | 290 | 4.8% |
| 5 | Scioto County | 289 | 4.7% |
| 6 | Lucas County | 288 | 4.7% |
| 7 | Franklin County | 209 | 3.4% |
| 8 | Montgomery County | 184 | 3.0% |
| 9 | Portage County | 171 | 2.8% |
| 10 | Hamilton County | 132 | 2.2% |
| 11 | Greene County | 101 | 1.7% |
| 12 | Hocking County | 93 | 1.5% |
Ohio counties with their own page: Cuyahoga County, Erie County, Franklin County, Hamilton County, Montgomery County, Ottawa County, Richland County and Summit County.
Are there poisonous snakes in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio has three venomous snake species on its list, the kind people usually call poisonous: eastern copperhead, eastern massasauga and timber rattlesnake. Strictly, snakes are venomous (they inject venom), not poisonous (harmful to eat or touch).
Are there rattlesnakes in Ohio?
Yes. Two species are on the Ohio list: the eastern massasauga and the timber rattlesnake, with 117 licensed records between them. Most licensed records of the eastern massasauga come from Trumbull County, Preble County and Ashtabula County.
Are there copperheads in Ohio?
Yes. One species is on the Ohio list: the eastern copperhead, with 94 licensed records. Most licensed records of the eastern copperhead come from Scioto County, Columbiana County and Adams County.
Are there cottonmouths (water moccasins) in Ohio?
No. GBIF holds no cottonmouth record for Ohio under any license.
Are there coral snakes in Ohio?
No. GBIF holds no coral snake record for Ohio under any license.
Eastern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
Ohio has 94 licensed records of the eastern copperhead, which ranks the state 16th of the 27 states where it reaches our threshold. Most of its licensed records in Ohio come from Scioto County, Columbiana County and Adams County. Range in other states and photos: Eastern copperhead profile.
Eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus)
Ohio has 78 licensed records of the eastern massasauga, which ranks the state 2nd of the 8 states where it reaches our threshold. Most of its licensed records in Ohio come from Trumbull County, Preble County and Ashtabula County. Range in other states and photos: Eastern massasauga profile.
Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Ohio has 39 licensed records of the timber rattlesnake, which ranks the state 17th of the 30 states where it reaches our threshold. Most of its licensed records in Ohio come from Scioto County, Ross County and Vinton County. Range in other states and photos: Timber rattlesnake profile.
Harmless lookalikes in Ohio
Many snakes and spiders taken for venomous ones are harmless species with a similar look. These are the usual confusions, with each species' licensed records in Ohio.
What looks like a copperhead in Ohio
Copperheads: 94 licensed records in Ohio. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: northern water snake (1,271), eastern rat snake (256), eastern milksnake (214), eastern hog-nosed snake (64) and plain-bellied watersnake (23). Together they have 1,828 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 19 times as often.
What looks like a cottonmouth in Ohio
No cottonmouths reach the Ohio list, and GBIF holds no cottonmouth record for Ohio under any license, so a snake taken for one here is most likely a harmless lookalike. Those recorded in the state: northern water snake (1,271) and plain-bellied watersnake (23).
What looks like a rattlesnake in Ohio
Rattlesnakes: 117 licensed records in Ohio. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: eastern fox snake (127) and eastern hog-nosed snake (64). Together they have 191 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 1.6 times as often.
What looks like a coral snake in Ohio
No coral snakes reach the Ohio list, and GBIF holds no coral snake record for Ohio under any license, so a snake taken for one here is most likely a harmless lookalike. Those recorded in the state: eastern milksnake (214).
What looks like a widow spider in Ohio
Widow spiders: 19 licensed records in Ohio. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: triangulate bud spider (76), boreal combfoot (42), common house spider (26) and twospotted cobweb spider (3). Together they have 147 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 8 times as often.
What looks like a recluse spider in Ohio
Recluse spiders: 4 licensed records in Ohio. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: longbodied cellar spider (22), spitting spider (8), Pennsylvania grass spider (2) and dark-legged grass spider (on record). Together they have 32 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 8 times as often.
How Ohio compares
By count of venomous snake species, Ohio ranks 20th of 50 states, level with 8 other states. Nationally, Arizona leads with 14 species; five list none.
Ohio lists as many venomous snake species as Indiana, Kentucky and Pennsylvania, and more than any other state it borders (Ohio: 3 species; Indiana 3, Kentucky 3, Pennsylvania 3, West Virginia 2, Michigan 1).
Venomous snakes listed next door but not in Ohio: the northern cottonmouth (Kentucky). The most widely shared are the eastern copperhead and the timber rattlesnake, each listed in four of the five bordering states.
Are there poisonous spiders in Ohio?
Does Ohio have black widows?
Yes. Two widow species are on the Ohio list: the northern black widow (14 records) and the southern black widow (5 records).
Does Ohio have brown recluse spiders?
Yes. The brown recluse is on the Ohio list, with 4 licensed records.
Northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus)
Ohio has 14 licensed records of the northern black widow, which ranks the state 11th of the 30 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Northern black widow profile.
Southern black widow (Latrodectus mactans)
Ohio has 5 licensed records of the southern black widow, which ranks the state 19th of the 22 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Southern black widow profile.
Brown recluse (Loxosceles reclusa)
Ohio has 4 licensed records of the brown recluse, which ranks the state 13th of the 16 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Brown recluse profile.
Are there scorpions in Ohio?
Not on our list: GBIF holds 1 scorpion record of any license in Ohio (striped bark scorpion 1), fewer than 10 of any one species; such records can be genuine rarities, strays, transported animals or misidentifications. Of these, one is under CC0 or CC BY. Every scorpion has venom; only the Arizona bark scorpion's sting is medically significant, and it is not on the Ohio list.
More for Ohio
GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.