<\/p>\n
A group of dunlins fly along the Lake Erie shore.<\/p>\n
Mark Nale<\/p>\n
For the CDT<\/p>\n
As the weather warms up in Ohio, so does snake season. And if you like swimming in any of Ohio\u2019s beautiful lakes, you may want to be aware of some slithering swim buddies that could join you out on the water.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re talking snakes and in Ohio, there are four main snakes trying to take a dip: the common water snake, copper-bellied water snake, Eastern fox snake and the Lake Erie water snake.<\/p>\n
So, which Ohio lakes run rampant with these snakes? And how can you identify them? Let\u2019s take a look:<\/p>\n
Snake-infested lakes in Ohio<\/p>\n
Lake Erie<\/p>\n
A group of dunlins fly along the Lake Erie shore. Mark Nale For the CDT <\/p>\n
Lake Erie is the fourth-largest lake in the Great Lakes and is a huge tourist spot, filled with plenty of opportunities to fish, boating and camping. However, tourists might not like the lake\u2019s main snake species, named after the lake itself: the Lake Erie water snake. According to World Atlas,<\/a> it is \u201ca species named after the lake as it is primarily found on its offshore island.\u201d<\/p>\n The snake can grow up to 28 inches long, but don\u2019t worry, it isn\u2019t venomous.<\/p>\n The Pymatuning Reservoir<\/p>\n This man-made lake is one of Ohio\u2019s largest bodies of water, rounding out at about 17,000 acres, according to World Atlas. The Reservoir boasts an impressive variety of wildlife, including bears, geese, foxes, birds and of course, snakes.<\/p>\n \u201cThe most common species in the region is the common water snake. This large and non-venomous snake is found in many regions across North America. The good part for humans is that it is not harmful and will often try to flee from interactions,\u201d as stated on World Atlas.<\/a><\/p>\n Mosquito Creek Lake<\/p>\n This lake is abundant with marshes, woodland and over 7,000 acres of surface area, making it one of the most popular lakes to visit in Ohio. It is known for its fishing and boating spots, as well as horseback riding and snowmobiling opportunities in the colder months, but according to A-Z Animals,<\/a> \u201cit is also one of the most snake-infested lakes in Ohio, as it plays host to the common water snake, Eastern fox snake, and Copper-bellied water snake.\u201d<\/p>\n If you see snakes, here\u2019s how to identify which are more lethal than others:<\/p>\n How to identify themAccording to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service<\/a>, the Lake Erie water snake has a brown or gray large body with a yellowish-white underbelly.According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources<\/a>: the common water snake is a \u201cstout-bodied snake\u201d with \u201cextreme variations in color and pattern.\u201d The snake can grow up to 42 inches and is mistaken for a cottonmouth (which don\u2019t live in Ohio).The copper-bellied water snake typically \u201chave a solid dark (usually black) back with a bright orange-red belly. They grow to 3 to 5 feet in length,\u201d according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.The Ohio Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation<\/a> (PARC) described the Eastern fox snake as similar in coloration to a copperhead because it not only has \u201cbold black and yellow coloration,\u201d but it can also vibrate its tail, which can look and sound a bit like a copperhead. The PARC also noted that the Eastern fox snake can grow between 48 and 60 inches long.<\/p>\n