The Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) is a venomous pit viper found across the eastern United States. Yes, they exist in Ohio, but their presence is confined and they are not commonly encountered by most residents. The Northern Copperhead (A. c. mokasen) is one of only three venomous snake species found in the state, alongside the timber rattlesnake and the massasauga rattlesnake. Copperheads are the most prevalent of these three venomous species in Ohio, though none are considered common statewide. Accurate identification is necessary since the majority of snakes encountered are non-venomous and harmless.
The Official Status of Copperheads in Ohio
The Northern Copperhead is primarily found in the southern and eastern portions of Ohio, specifically within the unglaciated regions of the state. This area, untouched by the most recent ice age, is characterized by rocky, wooded hillsides and river valleys. This terrain offers the necessary rocky outcroppings and dense forest cover that copperheads seek.
Copperheads are scattered throughout the southern counties, not found uniformly across Ohio. They prefer to live under abandoned building materials, such as scrap metal or boards, or within limestone crevices and rocky dens. They are secretive and tend to avoid heavily settled areas, making encounters in urban or suburban environments rare. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) does not consider copperheads a common species across the state as a whole.
Key Identification Features
The Eastern Copperhead is moderately sized, typically measuring between 24 and 36 inches in total length, and has a stout, thick body. Its head is broad, triangular, and noticeably wider than its neck, a characteristic feature of pit vipers.
Its most recognizable feature is the pattern of dark, hourglass-shaped crossbands set against a background color ranging from pale tan to rusty brown. These bands are narrow along the midline of the back and widen significantly down the sides. The head itself is coppery-red or reddish-brown, which is the source of the common name.
As a pit viper, the copperhead exhibits other defining traits, including vertical, slit-like pupils. It also has a deep, heat-sensing pit located between its eye and nostril, which helps locate warm-blooded prey. Juvenile copperheads have the same body pattern as adults, but their tail tip is a bright sulfur yellow or green, which darkens as they mature.
Common Non-Venomous Ohio Look-Alikes
The majority of snakes mistaken for the copperhead in Ohio are non-venomous species, primarily the Eastern Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) and the Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon).
Eastern Milk Snake
The Eastern Milk Snake is often confused with the copperhead due to its similar coloration and patterning. However, the milk snake’s pattern consists of reddish or brown blotches that are bordered in black, which are not the true hourglass shape found on a copperhead. The milk snake also has a more slender body and a narrow head that is not distinctly triangular. A key difference is the pattern on the underside: the milk snake has a distinct black and white checkerboard belly, while the copperhead’s belly is a solid pale color. Additionally, milk snakes have round pupils, unlike the copperhead’s vertical pupils.
Northern Water Snake
The Northern Water Snake is another common source of misidentification, especially because it is often found in the water, a habitat copperheads may also occasionally use. While the water snake can have a dark, blotchy pattern that may fade as it ages, its crossbands are typically wider near the spine and narrow down the sides, which is the opposite of the copperhead’s hourglass pattern. The Northern Water Snake also has a round pupil and generally lacks the distinct copper-colored head. When threatened, the non-venomous water snake can flatten its head to appear more triangular, but its head is naturally narrower than a copperhead’s.