Overview
Virginia has around 32 snake species from the Blue Ridge to the tidewater, and only three are venomous. The overwhelming majority are harmless and help control rodents.
Identify from a distance — a photo from several feet away is all you need. This guide covers the snakes you are most likely to encounter in Virginia.
Key Species to Know
Eastern Rat Snake
Pantherophis alleghaniensis
A large, mostly black non-venomous constrictor with faint blotches and a pale belly, a strong climber often found around barns and attics. Harmless and a valuable rodent-hunter.
Eastern Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
A slender, harmless snake with three pale stripes down a dark body. One of the most common backyard snakes; gentle and quick to flee.
Northern Water Snake
Nerodia sipedon
A non-venomous water snake with dark bands, frequently mistaken for a cottonmouth and needlessly killed. Harmless but will flatten and bite if cornered.
Copperhead
Agkistrodon contortrix
A pit viper with hourglass-shaped chestnut bands over a tan body, superbly camouflaged in leaf litter. Virginia's most common venomous snake; generally mild.
Timber Rattlesnake
Crotalus horridus
A large, heavy-bodied rattlesnake with dark chevron crossbands and a rattle. Venomous but usually reluctant to strike; gives a buzzing warning when disturbed.
Cottonmouth
Agkistrodon piscivorus
A thick-bodied semi-aquatic pit viper, dark with a pale facial stripe, that gapes to show a white mouth when threatened. In Virginia it is limited to the southeastern corner.
Seasonal Guide
- Snakes are most active in spring and fall, and on warm summer evenings.
- Watch your footing on rocky mountain trails and around woodpiles.
- Most bites occur when people try to handle or kill a snake — give it room and it will leave.
Safety Reminder
Identify snakes from a safe distance only, and never handle one to get a photo. If someone is bitten, treat it as a medical emergency and contact emergency services immediately — do not wait to identify the snake or attempt folk remedies. App results are reference information, not medical advice.
Identify it instantly
Found something and not sure what it is? Point your camera with Spotter and get a species identification in seconds — with detailed reference info and species notes.