Common Snakes of Virginia

Virginia has very diverse geography that makes it perfect habitat for a diverse snake species. Virginia has mountains, valleys with farms, plateau regions, ridges-and this makes for different habitats for snakes.



Non venomous snakes of Virginia

Eastern Garter Snake- this is snake that reaches up to 26 inches in length. It eats frogs, worms, slugs and toads. It can be found around the state in grassy areas, around the lakes and other areas rich in running water.

Rat Snake- there are three subspecies of rat snake in Virginia: Corn Snake, Gray Ratsnake and the Great Plains Ratsnake. This snake usually grows up to 10 feet in length, but majority are actually approximately 2-4 feet long.

Northern Black Racer-this common Virginia snake can grow up to 60 inches in length. It has dark skin and big eyes.

Northern Water Snake-this snake resembles very venomous Cottonmouth, but it is actually completely harmless. There are also some other water snake species common to Virginia: Plain Belly Water Snake, Brown Water Snake and Northern Red Belly Snake.

Eastern Hognose-another common Virginia snake. Named after its upturned nose, it makes good use of it, because it digs frogs and toads from the mud with it.

Ring-Necked Snake-there are two sub species common to Virginia - Southern Ring-Necked Snake and Northern Ring-Necked Snake. These are nocturnal snakes that are very private and not very likely to be seen.

Northern Scarlet Snake-this is small snake that reaches up to 20 inches in length. This snake doesn't really want to be seen and hides very well in its natural habitat: forest areas, moist and soft soils.

Northern Brown Snake-this snake grows up to 12 inches in length and is good in camouflage with its brown-gray body. It eats snails, earthworms and slugs.

Eastern Worm Snake-this snake lives in forests and wet lands and eats snails, slugs, earthworms.

Venomous Snakes of Virginia

There are three common venomous snakes in Virginia and all three of them are pit vipers: Eastern Cottonmouth, Timber (or Canebrake) Rattlesnake and the Northern Copperhead.

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