The Three Venomous Snakes You May Find in Virginia

There are four main types of venomous snakes native to the U.S.—rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, and coral snakes. Virginia is home to three of these types, with the coral snake being the only one not found in the state. According to the CDC, 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by snakes each year, and about 5 of those bites are fatal.

Most of the snakes you will encounter in Virginia are harmless to humans. There are about 30 species of snakes, and all but three are clinically nonvenomous. However, even a bite from a nonvenomous snake can be painful and require medical treatment. However, a bite from a venomous snake can be fatal and should be treated with antivenom promptly.

The following are the three types of venomous snakes living in Virginia:

1. Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)

Copperhead taxonomy has recently changed, which can be confusing. Previously, copperheads were classified into five distinct species:

• Southern copperhead

• Northern copperhead

• Osage copperhead

• Broad-banded copperhead

• Trans-Pecos copperhead

However, DNA studies have revealed that there are only two distinct species: Eastern and broad-banded copperheads. Within these two species, there are regional variations. The broad-banded copperhead is found in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. The Eastern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) is the most common venomous snake in Virginia. They are pit vipers and can be found across much of the eastern half of the U.S., ranging as far north as southern New England. The snakes grow about 24 to 36 inches long and are identified by their distinctive hourglass pattern of dark brown and light brown crossbands.

According to the Virginia Herpetological Society, copperheads are often confused with other snakes that have similar patterns, such as corn snakes, eastern milk snakes, and the northern cottonmouth. Of these, only the cottonmouth is venomous, which will be discussed below.

How Do Copperheads Hunt Their Prey?

Copperheads are ambush predators with a heat-sensitive pit organ on the sides of their heads. By sensing heat, copperheads can detect live prey even at night. The snake will lie quietly and unseen, waiting for a meal to come along. Once the animal is close, the pit viper strikes. Copperheads eat small rodents and large insects. Eastern copperheads have few known predators, although humans pose the greatest threat, as many are found dead along highways.

Despite their danger to small animals, copperheads are usually not a threat to people. They will either lie still or flee when they see a human. However, they may bite if someone accidentally steps on them during a hike or gets too close and they feel cornered. If you are bitten by a copperhead, you may experience painful swelling and discoloration. It’s best to seek medical treatment immediately, although copperhead bites are rarely fatal.

2. Cottonmouth/Water Moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus)

The cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus), also known as a water moccasin, is much less common than the Eastern copperhead. Cottonmouths were given their name because when they open their mouths in defense, the inside color is cottony white. According to the Virginia Herpetological Society, these snakes are aquatic and only live in very limited habitats in the southeastern part of the state. Cottonmouths have a black tail and black crossbands across their yellowish-olive bodies.

Like copperheads, cottonmouths are pit vipers and hunt their prey using heat-sensing pits. These snakes eat a diet of frogs, turtles, and fish, but they also eat rodents on land. The Virginia Herpetological Society explains that they play an important role in keeping rodent populations in check. Although juvenile cottonmouths may be in danger of being eaten by predators, including eagles, hawks, and snapping turtles, fully grown cottonmouths have few natural predators.

The society also notes that harmless northern watersnakes, which are much more abundant than cottonmouths, are often mistaken for the venomous pit viper. Because they are semi-aquatic, you may find cottonmouths swimming in the water or basking in the sun on the shore. Cottonmouth bites are severe and require immediate medical attention. The venom can cause serious tissue damage and prevent blood from clotting. The good news is that cottonmouth bites are rare. This shy snake is much more likely to flee from people than to attack. Unless you accidentally step on or otherwise disturb a cottonmouth, it is unlikely to attack.

3. Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)

Despite their fearsome reputation, timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) would much rather blend into the environment than get into a fight with a human. Though it will strike when threatened, it will first try to stay motionless and go undetected. If the threat persists, the rattlesnake will make the distinct sound of a rattle shaking. At the very last resort, the snake will bite to protect itself. It’s fortunate for humans that timber rattlesnakes are so shy because their venom is potent, and a bite could be fatal.

They have V- or W-shaped crossbar markings and can grow to be 30 to 60 inches long. The largest ever recorded in Virginia was 67 inches long. According to the Virginia Herpetological Society, not many snakes are confused with rattlesnakes because of their distinctive rattle. In Virginia, timber rattlesnakes mainly live in the mountains, with a small population also found in the far southeastern part of the state. Timber rattlesnakes eat a varied diet, including rabbits, rodents, birds, and amphibians.. They will quietly lie in wait and then ambush their prey, injecting their deadly venom with their bite. Predators of timber rattlesnakes include hawks and eagles.

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