Remove potential hiding spots, including: Remember, if you see snakes in your yard, it’s likely that there is a good food source there. Snakes in the Yard: If you see a snake in your yard, the best thing to do is let it go on its way. Remember, venom is an important hunting tool for the snake – it’s how they catch and kill their food. It’s also illegal to kill snakes in Virginia unless there is an imminent threat to one’s personal health and safety. A famous naturalist (Clifford Pope) once stated back in the 1850s, “ snakes are first cowards, then bluffers and last of all warriors”. Look-a-likes: People most often assume that any snake in the water is a cottonmouth; Virginia has three species of non-venomous water snakes that are commonly mistaken for cottonmouths. Adults are typically 24 to 36 inches long but can grow up to 48 inches long. Snakes are making their appearance in Virginia Beach already. They eat small rodents, birds, lizards, amphibians, insects, and other snakes. PO Box 1557 This species gets its name from the copper-like coloring on its head. Water Snakes on the other hand, just about every one I have ever seen (dozens) tried to flee when spooked. Works may be shared publicly with full attribution to WCV. If a snake is found in the house, identify the snake (A Snakes of Virginia guide is available from the Department). Copperheads, rattlesnakes, and cottonmouths all have vertical pupils, a heat-sensing “pit” near their eye (larger than their nostril), and a single row of scales underneath their tail. Warm weather means more time outside and more exploring your own backyard. Our poisonous snakes have a single row of scales going clear across the underside Of the forward portion of the tail. He says the Northern Water Snake is a very common snake that’s found statewide in Virginia. They're a little longer than their rainbow counterpart, coming in at 40 to 54 inches. The Virginia Herpetological Society has good resources to help compare and correctly identify snakes. “They are a water snake that likes to be around ponds and lakes and streams. There is a variety of commercial snake repellents on the market, though the Center cannot confirm that they are effective and/or humane. Adult rattlesnakes can reach up to 67 inches. When hiking or climbing or when working in wooded areas, don’t put your hands and feet in places you can’t see. Their bellies are often a red or pink color and there's yellow on their sides and on their head. Look-a-likes: Most often, people assume that any snake with a pattern on its back may be a copperhead – the most common non-venomous snakes that may be mistaken for copperheads are juvenile ratsnakes, juvenile racers, hog-nosed snakes, milk snakes, and water snakes. Adults are typically 30 – 48 inches, but can grow up to 61 inches long. All of the snakes can be found in the Hampton Roads area. This will eliminate attraction for mice and cover for snakes. Work may not be digitally manipulated, altered, or scanned without specific permission from WCV. This species is commonly found in wetlands, rivers, and lakes. Identifying some of these traits from a safe distance can be challenging; being familiar with the overall appearance of these species will help you to identify a venomous snake more reliably and safely. Water Moccasin Snake Removal, Control & Trapping in Virginia. Young rattlesnakes look similar to adults but typically have one rattle segment. Some snakes may try to overwinter in a basement or cellar area; they depend on their external environments to regulate body temperatures. In the spring, they come out from hiding to mate. The Water Moccasin snakes and the Cottonmouth snake is the same species of snake and is primarily located in the southeastern areas of Virginia. These non-venomous snakes of Virginia Beach are coming out to play right now so you better watch where you step. While you'll rarely come across these snakes, springtime is your best opportunity to see them while on a hike or walk around the woods. Using venom for defense is last resort for snakes; while it may save their life, they are effectively “wasting” their venom on something that they can’t eat. Snakes in House: Snakes may enter a house to seek food (usually mice) or temporary shelter. The mud snake is very similar to its rainbow relative — it's black and shiny and has red lines on its side. Eliminate habitat near your home. This also means creepy crawlies coming out of hibernation to grace us with their presence, whether we asked for it or not. It is a semi-aquatic snake and can be found in … Water moccasins, also commonly referred to as cottonmouths, are found to the south and east of Petersburg and are common only in wet areas. Both mice and snakes can climb! The Virginia Herpetological Society has good resources to help compare and correctly identify snakes. Water snake, (subfamily Natricinae), any of about 200 species of semiaquatic snakes belonging to 38 genera (family Colubridae).Water snakes feed in or near water, and some leave aquatic environments only to bask in the sun or breed. Cottonmouths eat fish, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, and invertebrates. Patterns, geographic locations, and even behavioral characteristics can assist with proper identification. This also means creepy crawlies coming out of hibernation to grace us with their presence, whether we asked for it or not. Water moccasins, also commonly referred to as cottonmouths, are found to the south and east of Petersburg and are common only in wet areas. Some people say, “Just look … If you are searching for the snake to remove it, look in warm protected areas where the snake may be hiding. Snakes can squeeze out of boxes, so ensure that the snake is properly contained before placing in your car to take to a permitted wildlife rehabilitator. Copperheads can be found throughout Virginia in forests, old fields, rocky outcrops, and marshes. If you leave the resident snake alone, there are steps you can take to ensure you encounter the snake less frequently. Warm weather means more time outside and more exploring your own backyard. Killing a snake doesn’t help keep more snakes away, and even though you may be uneasy around snakes, they are important members of our ecosystem. Clean up trash, spilled birdseed, and pet food to eliminate mice. If the snake is non-venomous and you are comfortable with snake handling, put on leather gloves and pick up the snake directly by the end head, while supporting its body with your other hand. Some rights reserved. United States, Bats (Little Brown Bat, Big Brown Bat, Others), Virginia Animal Exclusion & Damage Repairs, Virginia Attic Insulation Removal & Replacement, Virginia Professional Wildlife Removal Services. Rattlesnakes eat small mammals, birds, and frogs. Depending on where you live, there are several species you are most likely to encounter. It is a semi-aquatic snake and can be found in fields, forests, marshes, swamps, drainage ditches, lakes ponds and rivers of Southeast VA. Water snake scales are keeled; they have a raised ridge down the center, making them rough to the touch. The Virginia Cooperative Extension has instructions for constructing a fence. Cottonmouths get their name from the white color of their mouths; when threatened, cottonmouths will open their mouth wide in an attempt to dissuade would-be attackers from coming closer. It can also be found in swamps and marshes and usually, they stay hidden as well. Nonpoisonous snakes have two rows … Bulmer (1985) noted that unbanded water snakes from Potomac River marshes were less conspicuous in the turbid water than banded forms. You can also see some in hardwood forests and open fields. According to the Virginia Herpetological Society, northern water snakes can also mimic venomous rattlesnakes by vibrating their tail to ward off predators. Baby copperheads are colored and patterned like adults but have bright sulfur-yellow tail tips. Triangular Head. If you’d rather not continue seeing snakes, eliminate the areas where snakes want to spend time. Finding Milk Snakes in the east can be as easy as taking a hike and flipping over a few big rocks or logs.

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