There are many different species of water snakes in Ohio. To learn more about the species of water snakes in Ohio, keep reading below!
3 Water Snakes in Ohio
When talking about water snakes in Ohio or any location, it’s important to be specific about what a water snake is. For some, water snakes are snakes that live either aquatic or semiaquatic lifestyles. For others, water snakes in Ohio can also include snakes that live near water sources without ever spending time in the water.
Below, you’ll get to meet three different species of snakes that live in the water. From ponds to rivers to lakes, be ready to meet the water snakes of Ohio!
1. Northern Water Snake
The northern water snake, also known as the common water snake, is one of the most common species of snake that live in water in the United States. Because of its appearance and location, many people mistake it for the cottonmouth. The cottonmouth is a highly venomous snake species frequently found around water. The northern water snake, however, is non-venomous.

Because of its appearance and location, many people mistake it for the cottonmouth.
©Radiant Reptilia/Shutterstock.com
2. Plain-Bellied Water Snake
The plain-bellied water snake is the same family as the northern water snake. However, these are two different species of water snake in Ohio. They can be found almost everywhere in the eastern United States. However, they’re not located in the Appalachian mountain range. They are a plentiful species in Ohio, though.

Plain-bellied water snakes (Nerodia erythrogaster) live in the water either all the time or most of the time.
©Danny Ye/Shutterstock.com
3. Queen Snake
The queen snake has many different names, including those like the diamond-backed water snake, banded water snake, and leather snake. However, while some of its names may make it seem like this species is related to the highly venomous diamond-back rattlesnake, they aren’t closely related. The queen snake is a nonvenomous species in the genus Regina.

The queen snake is a nonvenomous species in the genus Regina.
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