Biologist finds snakes rare to Southwest Ohio

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — A snake species that a biologist says hasn’t been seen in southwest Ohio for more than 100 years has been found at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton.

Biologist Jeff Davis says he recently discovered 11 Smooth Green Snakes while searching for a type of rattlesnake that’s native to the base. He says the Smooth Green Snake has not been documented in the region since 1871.

Davis says the rare snakes are green with white bellies and no markings or spots.

He says they’re harmless to humans and that pesticides and predators probably reduced the population. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is now funding a study by Davis to determine the approximate population size.

The snake is classified as a species of special concern.