14 Different Types of Snakes in Virginia

There are different types of snakes in Virginia, both venomous and non-venomous.

Despite only three species of poisonous snakes in Virginia, these snakes may be found all around the state.

The state’s abundance of woods, wetlands, and grasslands make it the perfect home for many animals.

For instance, the state has more than 300 designated marshes. These kinds of ecosystems provide snakes with perfect surroundings.

Always exercise caution and keep an eye out for any potentially harmful snakes.

Most of the time, these types of snakes in Virginia won’t bite you, but if you approach them unexpectedly or corner them, they may bite. 

Rattlesnakes will usually be the first to warn you to back up.

However, it’s still advisable to be cautious and avoid dangerously contacting any of these types of snakes in Virginia.

They are listed below;

1. Cottonmouth Snake 

The cottonmouth is well-known as the first snake on our list of Virginian types. The only poisonous water snake in the Southeast, it is most common in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.

Virginia has three types of poisonous snakes, one of which is the northern cottonmouth. Water snakes are usually found around lakes or along the state’s shore.

If you encounter a snake you believe to be a Cottonmouth, proceed with extreme caution since they are aggressive. And if they bite you, it might be harmful.

Typically about three feet in length, cottonmouth snakes have brown or black bodies with brown markings.

However, examining the snake’s mouth will reveal if it is a northern cottonmouth or a northern water snake. White spots may be seen all over and within the lips of cottonmouth snakes.

2. Timber Rattlesnake 

Timber Rattlesnakes are also found in Virginia. The state’s southwestern region is home to most timber rattlesnakes.

They like the ledges and rocky outcroppings that characterize Virginia’s mountainous areas. 

These are the longest poisonous snakes in the state. Their maximum length is sixty inches.

Depending on their environment, timber rattlesnakes often exhibit a mixture of tan, brown, and black colors. 

Although they would rather stay hidden if you come upon one, proceed cautiously and slowly. A timber rattlesnake usually won’t attack unless it perceives a danger.

Because of their venom, eastern copperhead snakes may be very hazardous. Since they may be found all around the state, exercise caution and keep a close look out for them.

The average length of a copperhead is approximately three feet, although they may get larger. At 48 inches long, the longest copperhead rattlesnake in Virginia was documented.

A copperhead rattlesnake’s very distinctive reddish-brown color and its brown and tan patterns allow you to identify them right away.

An additional dead giveaway is the rattling. But you should start backing up very slowly and leave the area if you come near enough to a copperhead snake to hear it rattle.

3. Northern Scarlet Snake 

These types of snakes in Virginia may seem familiar, or you may believe you know it.

This is due to the northern scarlet snake’s resemblance to numerous other snakes known for their broad bands. 

These types of snakes in Virginia resemble a California mountain kingsnake and a non-venomous milk snake.

Furthermore, although the northern scarlet snake is not poisonous, it seems to be a poisonous coral snake. 

The presence of black bands next to red bands on the northern scarlet snake makes it instantly non-venomous.

Any snake without the characteristic black border around its red stripes is not poisonous. The poisonous coral snake has yellow bands next to red bands.

4. Ring-Necked Snake 

The ring-necked snake is a little snake. Merely ten inches in length, some of them are! Less than two feet separates even the bigger ones.

Their usual color is dark olive or bluish-gray, with a ring of brilliant yellow around the neck. 

While the ring around the necks of Southern ring-necked snakes is fractured in several places, the rings around the necks of Northern ring-necked snakes are solid.

Ring-necked snakes are widespread in Virginia due to their ability to adapt to various environments. They are found from the Coastal Plain to the Appalachian Plateau.

5. Eastern Mud Snake 

Eastern mud snakes are particularly noticeable due to their eye-catching color scheme.

Virginia’s eastern and southeast regions are home to most of the state’s eastern mud snake population. 

These types of snakes in Virginia often reach four to five feet.

Because of their brilliant red bellies and black bodies, they are frequently called red-bellied snakes.

6. Northern Mole Kingsnakes 

The northern mole king snake is found all across Virginia in grassy or wooded environments.

These types of snakes in Virginia are often small and tan or brown. A northern mole king snake is typically 30 to 40 inches long.

Northern mole king snakes are widespread in Virginia, particularly in the Appalachian Mountains. They may sometimes be seen in suburban settings, hiding in leaf litter, mulch, or the eaves of garages and barns.

7. Eastern Milksnakes 

Eastern Milksnakes are also on our list of snake types in Virginia. Due to their striking similarities in color patterns, the eastern milk snake and the northern scarlet snake may be mistaken for one another. 

Both feature black bars around the brilliant red stripes on each side.

Unlike the northern scarlet snake, mostly located in the coastal area, the eastern milk snake is in the state’s western portion. 

Eastern milk snakes range in length from two to three feet.

Though none of these types of snakes in Virginia are poisonous, the eastern milk snake and the northern scarlet snake mimic the colors of the venomous coral snake. Coral snakes are not found in Virginia.

8. Red Corn Snakes 

Red corn snakes are a regular sight in Virginia. They inhabit over forty-four counties across the state, and many have been seen near Salem, Roanoke, and Richmond.

The average length of these snakes in Virginia is three to four feet. Their pattern of red and red-orange colors is striking. 

However, you probably won’t see one even if you go extremely near a red corn snake. Being very shy, they would much sooner burrow under the ground than take a chance on an encounter with humans or other predators. 

Don’t panic if you do get a chance to see one. Though they may seem menacing, these types of snakes in Virginia pose no threat to people.

9. Northern Water Snake 

In Virginia, the most prevalent water snakes are called northern water snakes. They may be spotted taking in the views from the many lakes and rivers that dot the state. 

It’s common to see them lounging on rocks amid the sea. They are sluggish and big. Northern water snakes range in length from two to around five feet.

Because their colors are meant to assist them in blending with the surrounding water and vegetation, their color patterns differ depending on where they live.

Others are gray, black, or dark brown, while others are more olive and brown in tone. The cottonmouth snake and the northern water snake are often confused.

However, unlike the cottonmouth snake, the northern water snake is not poisonous.

10. Plain-bellied Watersnake 

Plain-bellied water snakes are usually found around Virginia’s coast. However, they have also been seen close to streams in the Appalachian Mountains. They enjoy rivers, marshes, and floodplains. 

These types of snakes in Virginia typically reach a length of 40 inches. The olive, brown, or gray coloration on the top of the plain-bellied water snake is generally one consistent hue.

These snakes have solid, unmarked bellies that are yellow, cream, or sometimes red.

When fishing or kayaking at the edge of a lake or stream, pay special attention to your surroundings. Plain-bellied water snakes spend almost as much time on land as underwater. 

A plain-bellied water snake may be lurking there. However, because these types of snakes in Virginia are not poisonous, they won’t harm you.

11. Queen Snake 

Most queen snakes may be found in Virginia’s western and southwest regions. Usually, they are two feet long. They seldom grow more than two and a half feet in length. 

Queen snakes have tan or olive-colored patterns on their bodies, with cream or yellow stripes running down the sides.

These snakes in Virginia like to reside in vegetation adjacent to bodies of water, such as lakes and streams. They eat crayfish mainly.

12. Brown Water Snake 

Brown water snakes like watery settings with plenty of vegetation and concealment. For this reason, they usually inhabit marshes, marshlands, floodplains, and swamps. 

They may sometimes be seen close to rivers that pass through wooded regions. At up to 60 inches, these snakes are the longest type in Virginia.

To assist them in blending with the water and the surrounding plants, they often have thick bodies and brown or tan coloring with dark brown or black patterns.

Brown water snakes are usually found at the water’s edge, so if you like fishing, be cautious not to startle them.

Although brown water snakes are not poisonous, any snake may become aggressive if it perceives an obstacle or is startled.

Generally speaking, you should proceed cautiously while strolling through the undergrowth near a lake or in marshy areas to avoid frightening brown water snakes

13. Eastern Garter Snake 

Across Virginia, grasslands are the preferred habitat of the Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis ), which explains why its body is olive green with long white stripes.

Although snakes aren’t poisonous to people, the genus produces and uses venom.

Although the Eastern Garter Snake’s venom is insufficient to harm humans, it does affect its little victims.

It is well known that when an Eastern Garter Snake bites its victim, a small amount of venom and saliva is injected.

This is a hunting tactic since the venom causes the prey to slow down.

14. Smooth Green Snake

Smooth Greensnake is the last species on our list of snakes in Virginia. It is a small—to medium-sized snake species.

It can only grow to be as long as around 20 inches at its longest. The snake may be recognized by its silky scales and uniform green color.

Because of its somewhat faded coloring, smooth green snakes are difficult to identify in grasslands. Because of their modest size, they only eat insects and small animals.

These snakes’ main prey items are caterpillars and spiders. In Virginia, they also often consume ants.

They sometimes eat snails as well. This type of snake may lay many eggs at once beneath low bushes, rocks, and decaying logs. 

They look for a decent place to hide from the bitter winter weather. This applies to anthills as well as the burrows used by animals.

Smooth Greensnakes will nest in the same area as other types of snakes in Virginia if they cannot locate a suitable spot to conceal during the winter.

One of the species’ main concerns is its declining habitat. It often relies on insects found in agricultural areas, but these insects are less prevalent because of the widespread use of pesticides.