West Virginia Snakes: Identification Guide With Pictures

Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.

On this page

Venomous snakes
The other 21 snakes
Lookalikes
When they are active
If you are bitten or stung
How to report
What official sources say
About this list
Sources

WVDNR: The new regulations prohibit the taking and possessing of 26 salamander species, 13 frog and toad species, six lizard species, 23 snake species and 12 turtle species.

This page lists 23 snakes: all from WVDNR's Amphibians & Reptiles; Snakes of West Virginia. 2 are venomous by official accounts: Eastern Copperhead and Timber Rattlesnake.

Venomous snakes in West Virginia

Official sources label these snakes venomous in West Virginia. Venomous snakes in West Virginia has more on each one.

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

Venomous per WVDNR

Danger to people

“West Virginia’s northern copperhead is the most common venomous snake in the state.” WVDNR

Size

Adults usually about 2 to 3 feet (24-36 in); record about 53 inches.

How to recognize it

Vertical (cat-like) pupils and a heat-sensing pit between eye and nostril
Heavy-bodied; keeled scales
Head shape alone is not a reliable way to identify copperheads

Where in West Virginia

Copperheads exist throughout the state WVDNR

Conservation

WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S5 (2015 list)

What the sources say

Venom: “Two of the snake species in West Virginia are venomous, the timber rattlesnake and eastern copperhead.” (WVDNR)

Habitat: In rocky, wooded areas (WVDNR)

Full Eastern Copperhead guide

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

Venomous per WVDNR

Danger to people

“This venomous pit viper became West Virginia’s state reptile in 2008. While the timber rattlesnake can be dangerous when provoked” WVDNR

Size

Most adults 36 to 60 inches (3 to 5 feet); record 74.5 inches.

How to recognize it

Black tail ending in a rattle
Heat-sensing pit between nostril and eye
Large, thick head distinct from the neck; cat-like vertical pupil

Where in West Virginia

Rattlers usually occur in remote, rocky, mountainous sections of the state WVDNR

Conservation

WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S3; Priority 1 (2015 list)

What the sources say

Venom: “Two of the snake species in West Virginia are venomous, the timber rattlesnake and eastern copperhead.” (WVDNR)

Habitat: Found in mountainous areas with talus slopes (WVDNR)

Full Timber Rattlesnake guide

The other 21 snakes

From A to Z. Some harmless snakes mimic venomous ones: leave every snake alone.

Find by name

No confirmed photo of Common Ribbonsnake

Common Ribbonsnake

Thamnophis s. saurita

Non-venomous per WVDNR

Where in West Virginia: Few records exist for Ribbonsnakes in West Virginia. WVDNR

What the sources say

Venom: “West Virginia has 23 species of snakes. Only the Northern copperhead and Timber rattlesnake are venomous.” (WVDNR)

Habitat: Inhabit wetlands, especially swampy or marshy areas (WVDNR)

No confirmed photo of Common Watersnake

Common Watersnake

Nerodia s. sipedon

Non-venomous per WVDNR

Where in West Virginia: This is a very common and widely distributed species WVDNR

What the sources say

Venom: “West Virginia has 23 species of snakes. Only the Northern copperhead and Timber rattlesnake are venomous.” (WVDNR)

Habitat: Found along small streams, ponds and rivers (WVDNR)

Cornsnake

Pantherophis guttatus

Non-venomous per WVDNR

Size

Most adults 30-48 inches (76-122 cm); record 74 inches (188 cm)

How to recognize it

Spear-shaped head marking from the neck to a point between the eyes is a reliable identification feature
Weakly keeled scales and round pupil

Where in West Virginia

Cornsnakes have been collected in Eastern Panhandle farmlands WVDNR

Conservation

WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S1; Priority 1 (2015 list)

What the sources say

Venom: “West Virginia has 23 species of snakes. Only the Northern copperhead and Timber rattlesnake are venomous.” (WVDNR)

Full Cornsnake guide

Dekay’s Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Non-venomous per WVDNR

Size

Most adults 9 to 13 inches; occasionally up to about 20 inches.

How to recognize it

Dark top of head; a dark spot under each eye and on each side of the neck
Keeled (ridged) scales in 17 rows; round pupil
Tennessee: a small dark downward streak on the side of the head

What the sources say

Venom: “West Virginia has 23 species of snakes. Only the Northern copperhead and Timber rattlesnake are venomous.” (WVDNR)

Habitat: Found most frequently in moist woodlands (WVDNR)

Full Dekay’s Brownsnake guide

No confirmed photo of Eastern Black Kingsnake

Eastern Black Kingsnake

Lampropeltis g. niger

Non-venomous per WVDNR

Where in West Virginia: It has been collected in Cabell, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam and Wayne counties. WVDNR

What the sources say

Venom: “West Virginia has 23 species of snakes. Only the Northern copperhead and Timber rattlesnake are venomous.” (WVDNR)

No confirmed photo of Eastern Gartersnake

Eastern Gartersnake

Thamnophis s. sirtalis

Non-venomous per WVDNR

Where in West Virginia: Gartersnakes are common in West Virginia. WVDNR

What the sources say

Venom: “West Virginia has 23 species of snakes. Only the Northern copperhead and Timber rattlesnake are venomous.” (WVDNR)

Habitat: Frequently encountered in meadows, marshes, hillsides and city lots or buildings (WVDNR)

Eastern Hog-nosed Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Non-venomous per WVDNR

Where in West Virginia: They occur throughout the state WVDNR
Conservation: WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S2; Priority 1 (2015 list)

What the sources say

Venom: “West Virginia has 23 species of snakes. Only the Northern copperhead and Timber rattlesnake are venomous.” (WVDNR)

Habitat: In woodlands, along sandy edges of rivers and streams and in cultivated fields (WVDNR)

Eastern Kingsnake

Lampropeltis nigra

Non-venomous per WVDNR

Where in West Virginia: Eastern Kingsnakes are found only in the valley of the South Branch of the Potomac River. WVDNR
Conservation: WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S2; Priority 1 (2015 list)

What the sources say

Venom: “West Virginia has 23 species of snakes. Only the Northern copperhead and Timber rattlesnake are venomous.” (WVDNR)

No confirmed photo of Eastern Milksnake

Eastern Milksnake

Lampropeltis t. triangulum

Non-venomous per WVDNR

Where in West Virginia: Milksnakes occur throughout the state WVDNR

What the sources say

Venom: “West Virginia has 23 species of snakes. Only the Northern copperhead and Timber rattlesnake are venomous.” (WVDNR)

Habitat: In a variety of habitats (WVDNR)

Eastern Ratsnake

Pantherophis alleghaniensis

Non-venomous per WVDNR

58 records by month.

What the sources say

Venom: “West Virginia has 23 species of snakes. Only the Northern copperhead and Timber rattlesnake are venomous.” (WVDNR)

No confirmed photo of Eastern Smooth Earthsnake

Eastern Smooth Earthsnake

Virginia v. valeriae

Non-venomous per WVDNR

Conservation: WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S2 (2015 list)

What the sources say

Venom: “West Virginia has 23 species of snakes. Only the Northern copperhead and Timber rattlesnake are venomous.” (WVDNR)

Habitat: Secretive spending most of its time underground (WVDNR)

No confirmed photo of Eastern Wormsnake

Eastern Wormsnake

Carphophis a. amoenus

Non-venomous per WVDNR

Where in West Virginia: Wormsnakes have been collected throughout the state WVDNR
Conservation: WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S3 (2015 list)

What the sources say

Venom: “West Virginia has 23 species of snakes. Only the Northern copperhead and Timber rattlesnake are venomous.” (WVDNR)

Habitat: From burrows in the soil, organic debris and rotting logs (WVDNR)

Gray Ratsnake

Pantherophis spiloides

Non-venomous per WVDNR

What the sources say

Venom: “West Virginia has 23 species of snakes. Only the Northern copperhead and Timber rattlesnake are venomous.” (WVDNR)

Mountain Earthsnake

Virginia valeriae pulchra

Non-venomous per WVDNR

Where in West Virginia: Reported from Pendleton, Pocahontas, Preston and Randolph counties and may occur in other nearby counties WVDNR
Conservation: WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S2; Priority 1 (2015 list)

What the sources say

Venom: “West Virginia has 23 species of snakes. Only the Northern copperhead and Timber rattlesnake are venomous.” (WVDNR)

No confirmed photo of Northern Black Racer

Northern Black Racer

Coluber c. constrictor

Non-venomous per WVDNR

Where in West Virginia: Black Racers occur throughout the state WVDNR
Conservation: WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank SNR (2015 list)

What the sources say

Venom: “West Virginia has 23 species of snakes. Only the Northern copperhead and Timber rattlesnake are venomous.” (WVDNR)

Habitat: In moist woodlands and fields (WVDNR)

No confirmed photo of Northern Pinesnake

Northern Pinesnake

Pituophis m. melanoleucus

Non-venomous per WVDNR

Where in West Virginia: In West Virginia it is known from only one section of Monroe County where just one specimen has been collected. WVDNR
Conservation: WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank SH; Priority 1 (2015 list)

What the sources say

Venom: “West Virginia has 23 species of snakes. Only the Northern copperhead and Timber rattlesnake are venomous.” (WVDNR)

Northern Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus edwardsii

Non-venomous per WVDNR

Where in West Virginia: Ring-necks are widely distributed throughout the state. WVDNR
Conservation: WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S5 (2015 list)

What the sources say

Venom: “West Virginia has 23 species of snakes. Only the Northern copperhead and Timber rattlesnake are venomous.” (WVDNR)

Habitat: May be found in rotting logs, piles of dead leaves or under rocks (WVDNR)

No confirmed photo of Northern Rough Greensnake

Northern Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys a. aestivus

Non-venomous per WVDNR

Where in West Virginia: They occur at low elevations in the western and central parts of the state but are absent in the mountains WVDNR
Conservation: WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S2 (2015 list)

What the sources say

Venom: “West Virginia has 23 species of snakes. Only the Northern copperhead and Timber rattlesnake are venomous.” (WVDNR)

Habitat: Usually found in vines, bushes or grass (WVDNR)

Queen Snake

Regina septemvittata

Non-venomous per WVDNR

Where in West Virginia: They are found throughout the state, especially in small, rocky creeks and rivers. WVDNR
Conservation: WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S4 (2015 list)

What the sources say

Venom: “West Virginia has 23 species of snakes. Only the Northern copperhead and Timber rattlesnake are venomous.” (WVDNR)

Red-bellied Snake

Storeria occipitomaculata

Non-venomous per WVDNR

Size

Usually 8 to 10 inches; state figures run from about 4 to 16 inches, with a Florida record of 16.6 inches.

How to recognize it

Plain, unmarked red or orange belly.
Three light spots just behind the head, which may fuse into a collar.
Keeled (ridged) scales in 15 rows at midbody and round pupils.

Where in West Virginia

Red-bellied Snakes may be found throughout the state in wooded areas WVDNR

What the sources say

Venom: “West Virginia has 23 species of snakes. Only the Northern copperhead and Timber rattlesnake are venomous.” (WVDNR)

Full Red-bellied Snake guide

Smooth Greensnake

Opheodrys vernalis

Non-venomous per WVDNR

Where in West Virginia: It occurs only in the mountainous areas of eastern West Virginia WVDNR
Conservation: WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S5; Priority 1 (2015 list)

What the sources say

Venom: “West Virginia has 23 species of snakes. Only the Northern copperhead and Timber rattlesnake are venomous.” (WVDNR)

Habitat: More often found in grass than in bushes (WVDNR)

Snakes people confuse

Copperhead or Corn snake?

Copperhead Venomous

Corn snake Non-venomous

Longer and slender with smooth, shiny scales, an elongated head and square, black-outlined blotches; more red, orange and yellow.

Copperhead or Young rat snakes (black rat snake / eastern ratsnake)?

Copperhead Venomous

Young rat snakes (black rat snake / eastern ratsnake) Non-venomous

Hatchling and yearling rat snakes have irregular blotches, not hourglass bands, and turn virtually all black as adults (NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife). New Jersey says no other snake there has the copperhead's hourglass pattern; Delaware DNREC says the same for Delaware.

Copperhead or Eastern hognose snake?

Copperhead Venomous

Eastern hognose snake Non-venomous

Named by Delaware DNREC and Rutgers as a frequent copperhead misidentification. Use the hourglass test: in Delaware only the copperhead has dark hourglass crossbands narrowest at the center of the back.

Corn snake or Eastern ratsnake?

Corn snake Non-venomous

Eastern ratsnake Non-venomous

FLMNH: eastern ratsnakes lack the spear-shaped head pattern and the black-and-white checkerboard belly

Brown Snake (Dekay's Brownsnake) or Copperhead?

Brown Snake (Dekay's Brownsnake) Non-venomous

Copperhead Venomous

Copperheads have bold hourglass-shaped bands, and young copperheads under about 12 inches have bright yellow tail tips. Brown snakes have small spots, not hourglass bands.

Brown Snake (Dekay's Brownsnake) or Red-bellied Snake?

Brown Snake (Dekay's Brownsnake) Non-venomous

Red-bellied Snake Non-venomous

The red-bellied snake has a red underside; the brown snake's belly is cream, yellow or pink.

Photos show typical adults; individuals vary. Never get close to compare.

When snakes are active in West Virginia

Records of snakes in West Virginia peak in May to July. They show when people record snakes, not how many there are (about month bars).

334 records of snakes in West Virginia by month (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records).

Snakes are most active April through October and hibernate in winter. WVDNR
Timber rattlesnakes breed July to early September and give birth late summer to mid-autumn of the following year. WVDNR

If you are bitten or stung

Call 911 or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Poison Help connects you to your local poison center, any time of day.

Official advice from WVDNR:

If bitten by a venomous snake, see a doctor or go to a hospital immediately. WVDNR
If bitten by a rattlesnake, seek medical help immediately. WVDNR
Do not handle rattlesnakes; give them space and leave them alone. WVDNR
It is better to leave a snake alone; bites can happen when someone tries to kill one. WVDNR

How to report

Report wildlife violations to any WVDNR district office or (844) 484-7367. Report sick or dead wildlife to a local district office. For nuisance wildlife, consult a WVDNR biologist or Natural Resources Police Officer, or hire a licensed Wildlife Damage Control Agent. For pest questions, WVDA Plant Industries Division: (304) 558-2212. No dedicated WVDNR invasive-species sighting line was found. WVDNR

What official sources say

Are there venomous snakes in West Virginia?

Yes. Two: the timber rattlesnake and eastern (northern) copperhead. WVDNR

“Two of the snake species in West Virginia are venomous, the timber rattlesnake and eastern copperhead.”

Are there rattlesnakes in West Virginia?

Yes. One species, the timber rattlesnake, the state reptile. WVDNR

“West Virginia is home to one species of rattlesnake: the timber rattlesnake.”

Are there copperheads in West Virginia?

Yes. WVDNR says copperheads exist throughout the state in rocky, wooded areas and are the most common venomous snake. WVDNR

“Copperheads exist throughout the state in rocky, wooded areas”

Are there water moccasins or cottonmouths in West Virginia?

No. WVDNR reports no confirmed records. The common watersnake is popularly called a "water moccasin" but is a different snake. WVDNR

“There are no confirmed records of the cottonmouth or any venomous water snakes occurring within West Virginia.”

About this list

The species list comes from Amphibians & Reptiles (Species Accounts: Snakes); Snakes of West Virginia (West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR), WordPress modified 2026-04-20).

Venom labels come only from official sources and link to them; "Not stated" never means harmless. How labels work.

Want a paper copy? Print the West Virginia snakes ID chart.

Sources

Wildlife Diseases in West Virginia. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). WordPress modified 2026-06-25; checked November 3, 2026.
Amphibians & Reptiles. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). WordPress modified 2026-04-20; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Two of the snake species in West Virginia are venomous, the timber rattlesnake and eastern copperhead.”
New law prohibiting possession of most native reptiles, amphibians now in effect. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). posted 2021-05-27; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“The new regulations prohibit the taking and possessing of 26 salamander species, 13 frog and toad species, six lizard species, 23 snake species and 12 turtle species.”
Snakes Alive! West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). posted 2021-05-11; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (4)
“West Virginia’s northern copperhead is the most common venomous snake in the state.”
“West Virginia has 23 species of snakes. Only the Northern copperhead and Timber rattlesnake are venomous.”
“This can happen when someone tries to kill a snake, so it’s better to leave a snake alone.”
“West Virginia’s snakes are most active between April and October when temperatures are suited for these cold-blooded reptiles.”
Living with Rattlesnakes. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). 10/21 print code; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (5)
“This venomous pit viper became West Virginia’s state reptile in 2008. While the timber rattlesnake can be dangerous when provoked”
“If bitten by a rattlesnake, seek medical help immediately.”
“If you encounter a rattlesnake, it is best to give it space and leave it alone.”
“Breeding takes place between July and early September, before rattlesnakes enter their winter dens.”
“West Virginia is home to one species of rattlesnake: the timber rattlesnake.”
Snakes of West Virginia. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). 02/06; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (3)
“If, however, you are bitten by a venomous snake, see a doctor or go to a hospital immediately.”
“Copperheads exist throughout the state in rocky, wooded areas”
“There are no confirmed records of the cottonmouth or any venomous water snakes occurring within West Virginia.”
West Virginia Reptile and Amphibian Regulations (summary). West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). 05/2023; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Citizens may report violations to any DNR district office or call (844) 484-7367.”
GBIF.org occurrence records, human observations licensed CC0 1.0 or CC BY 4.0 only, accessed November 3, 2026. The datasets behind these counts are listed on our Sources page.