Ohio Outdoors: Remarkable reptiles

In last month’s column (April Showers bring Vernal Pools) I talked a lot about Ohio’s native amphibians (frogs, toads, and salamanders). This month I want to talk about Ohio’s native reptiles, more than half of which can be found in Portage County. Reptiles are cold-blooded (the scientific term is ectothermic), breathe air, and are covered with scales. The buckeye state has over 45 native species of reptiles. Of those, 12 are turtles.

Turtles have changed very little in the past 200 million years. These living fossils have been inhabiting the woodlands and waterways of Ohio since the Triassic period. Most turtles have long life spans with some going past the century mark. While turtles have a reputation for being slow, this is really only true of land-based turtles like tortoises and box turtles. They don’t need to be fast because they eat vegetation which they don’t have to chase. Their thick shells and heavily scaled legs protect them from attack. Many aquatic turtles can swim very quickly in order to catch their prey, things like invertebrates, frogs and fish. Ohio’s largest and longest living turtle, the snapping turtle, sits in the mud at the bottom of ponds and slow-moving waterways and catches its prey with a lightning-fast chomp. These heavy weights can weigh up to 35 pounds and they will consume anything they can catch and swallow including rodents and birds.

Believe it or not, Ohio is home to five native species of lizards and one species that has become established. While most of them can only be found in Ohio’s southern counties, populations of the common five lined skink are scattered across the state including Portage County.

The remaining native reptiles are snakes. Now, I know what you’re thinking, but keep reading. There are only three venomous (not poisonous) snake species native to Ohio: the northern copperhead, which despite its name, can only be found in a few of Ohio’s southern counties; the eastern massasauga, a short, thick bodied rattlesnake scattered amongst marshes and bogs across the state; and the timber rattlesnake found in only a few southern Ohio counties. In general, all three species are nonaggressive unless provoked. If you come across one give it plenty of space. According to the Ohio division of wildlife, the Eastern Massasauga could be found in Portage County prior to 1976.

The rest of Ohio’s native snake species are both harmless and helpful, often consuming pests. Several of our native snakes grow to be less than a foot long, while the eastern/black rat snake can grow up to six feet in length.

Because of factors like habitat loss, pollution, and lack of understanding, Ohio’s native reptiles are in trouble. Five species are endangered, which means that they are in danger of being extirpated; four are threatened, meaning that if stress continues or increases the species may become endangered; and 11 are species of concern which means populations are being closely monitored for signs of distress. That adds up to almost half of Ohio’s native reptile population.

So, how can you and I help our native reptiles? Here are some suggestions:

Watch the roads. Remember reptiles are cold-blooded (ectothermic) which means they are unable to produce their own body heat. They seek out warm places like roads, sidewalks, and parking lots. If you encounter a snake or lizard avoid it. If it’s a turtle, it may be crossing to find a spot to lay eggs. In this case, if you want to help it across, always take it in the direction it was already headed. Helping snapping turtles can be risky. They can reach everywhere on their body except their tails; however, picking larger ones up by the tail can potentially harm them. After touching any reptile always wash your hands thoroughly.

Give them space. This holds true when encountering any type of wildlife. Observe from a distance and don’t try to handle them. Generally, if you leave them alone, they will leave you alone.

Don’t use pesticides, poisons, or sprays. If you poison a food source, toxins will build up in the consumer eventually causing death and/or reproduction defects (as in the case of bald eagles). Also. most reptiles have sensitive skin that easily absorbs harmful chemicals. Besides, many of our native reptiles consume pests and are therefore beneficial to have around.

Educate yourself. Go to: http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov for more information. Learn more about Ohio’s remarkable reptiles and appreciate them for their beauty and the roles they play.