VIRGINIA - As Virginia hikers head for the Blue Ridge trails and families flock to the beaches of Sandbridge, the State reptile population is moving with them. Virginia is a hotbed of herpetology, boasting over 30 snake species. However, misinformation runs rampant.
While a recent headline involved a Virginia man being rushed to the hospital after a bite from a pet African Pit Viper, the real danger for outdoor enthusiasts isn't in a terrarium—it's under the leaf litter on the Appalachian Trail. Virginia is home to only three venomous snake species. Unlike its southern neighbors, Virginia is not home to Coral Snakes or Eastern Diamondbacks. Here is the definitive guide to the three vipers you actually need to worry about.
1. The Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
- Danger Level: Moderate (Responsible for the vast majority of bites in VA)
- Where they hide: Statewide. From the mountains to the coast, and frequently in suburban gardens in Northern Virginia and Richmond.
If you encounter a venomous snake in Virginia, it is almost certainly a Copperhead. They are famous for their "freeze" defense mechanism. Rather than fleeing, they remain perfectly still, relying on their camouflage. This is why most bites occur when someone accidentally steps on or near them.
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ID Tip: Look for the "Hershey's Kiss" pattern—dark brown hourglass shapes on a tan or pinkish-tan body.
2. The Cottonmouth / Water Moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus)
- Danger Level: High
- Where they hide: Southeastern Virginia only. Found in swamps, marshes, and slow-moving streams (e.g., Great Dismal Swamp, Back Bay).
There are no Cottonmouths in the Blue Ridge Mountains or Northern Virginia, despite what many fishermen might claim. These heavy-bodied, semi-aquatic pit vipers are restricted to the chaotic waterways of the southeast.
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ID Tip: A blocky, angular head with a dark "mask" stripe through the eye. When threatened, they gape, revealing a stark white interior (hence the name "Cottonmouth").
3. Timber / Canebrake Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
- Danger Level: Very High
- Where they hide: Two distinct populations: The mountainous west (Timber) and the southeastern coastal plain (Canebrake).
Virginia is unique because this snake appears in two different forms.
- The Mountain "Timber": Found in high elevations, rocky outcrops, and forests of the Blue Ridge.
- The Coastal "Canebrake": Found in the swamps and farmlands of southeastern VA (cities like Chesapeake and Virginia Beach). Note: The coastal Canebrake population is state-endangered.
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ID Tip: A heavy body with dark chevron (V-shaped) bands and a rattle at the end of a velvety black tail.
Myth-Busting: The Snakes That AREN'T There
Don't let internet rumors ruin your hike.
- Coral Snakes: NOT native to Virginia. They stop further south in North Carolina.
- Water Moccasins in the Mountains: False. If you see a snake in the water in Shenandoah or the Potomac, it is a harmless Northern Watersnake.
Safety & Legal Warning
In Virginia, snakes are protected wildlife. It is illegal to kill a snake unless it poses an immediate threat to your health or safety. Killing a snake just because you see it in the woods is a crime.
If Bitten:
- Call 911.
- Remove constriction. Take off rings and watches immediately.
- Stay Calm. Do not cut, suck, or ice the wound.
- Get to a hospital. Virginia hospitals are well-stocked with CroFab (the antivenom used for all three of these species).
Stay safe, watch your step on the AT, and respect the locals—even the slithering ones.
Video: How to Identify Virginia's Venomous Snakes. A guide by the Virginia Herpetological Society on distinguishing Copperheads from harmless lookalikes.
