Venomous snakes and spiders in Virginia
Virginia has three venomous snake species among the 30 snake species listed there: eastern copperhead, northern cottonmouth and timber rattlesnake. The eastern copperhead accounts for the most records (641), and venomous species make up 11% of all 10,945 licensed snake records in the state. On the spider side, two species are medically significant: northern black widow and southern black widow.
Venomous snakes of Virginia
Virginia's venomous snakes are two copperhead or cottonmouth species and one rattlesnake species. Together they account for 1,232 licensed records; the eastern copperhead alone has 52% of them, and the least recorded, the timber rattlesnake, has 242.
Dangerous spiders of Virginia
Two widow species (Northern black widow: 63 records, Southern black widow: 60 records) are on the Virginia list. There is no recluse spider on the Virginia list: no recluse species reaches 10 records in the state. Widow bites cause muscle pain and cramps; recluse bites can cause a slow-healing wound. Both are rare and seldom fatal.
Other snakes recorded most in Virginia
These eight account for 65% of all licensed snake records in Virginia; the most recorded, the northern water snake, alone for 13%.
Other spiders recorded most in Virginia
These eight account for 31% of all licensed spider records in Virginia; the most recorded, the orchard orbweaver, alone for 6%.
When venomous snakes are out in Virginia
Observation records of venomous snakes in Virginia run mostly April through September, peaking in July with 25% of them. December through February together hold under 2% of the records, so venomous snakes in Virginia are rarely recorded in winter.
Season of each venomous snake
| Species | Main season | Peak month | Winter share | Observation records |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern copperhead | May through September | July | 0% | 148 |
| Northern cottonmouth | March through November | July | 7% | 44 |
| Timber rattlesnake | May through September | July | 0% | 50 |
When spiders are most active in Virginia
Observation records of spiders in Virginia run mostly April through November, peaking in September with 16% of them. Winter (December to February) holds 5% of the records.
Counties with the most venomous snake records
Chesterfield County has the most records of venomous snakes in Virginia, 150, most of them of the northern cottonmouth. Colonial Heights and Virginia Beach follow.
| # | County | Records | Most recorded there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chesterfield County | 150 | Northern cottonmouth |
| 2 | Colonial Heights | 93 | Northern cottonmouth |
| 3 | Virginia Beach | 81 | Northern cottonmouth |
| 4 | Bedford County | 78 | Timber rattlesnake |
| 5 | Albemarle County | 58 | Timber rattlesnake |
| 6 | Chesapeake | 50 | Northern cottonmouth |
| 7 | Fairfax County | 39 | Eastern copperhead |
| 8 | Rappahannock County | 36 | Timber rattlesnake |
| 9 | Greene County | 31 | Eastern copperhead |
| 10 | Henrico County | 30 | Eastern copperhead |
Where in Virginia are snakes recorded most?
Records are spread widely: even the top five counties, led by Fairfax County, hold only 25% of them. 129 of Virginia's 133 counties have at least one licensed snake record.
| # | County | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fairfax County | 872 | 8.0% |
| 2 | Chesterfield County | 597 | 5.5% |
| 3 | Henrico County | 590 | 5.4% |
| 4 | Prince William County | 369 | 3.4% |
| 5 | Virginia Beach | 341 | 3.1% |
| 6 | Chesapeake | 329 | 3.0% |
| 7 | Highland County | 281 | 2.6% |
| 8 | James City County | 275 | 2.5% |
| 9 | Augusta County | 269 | 2.5% |
| 10 | Colonial Heights | 214 | 2.0% |
| 11 | Charles City County | 212 | 1.9% |
| 12 | Bedford County | 204 | 1.9% |
Virginia counties with their own page: Arlington County, Chesapeake, Chesterfield County, Fairfax County, Hanover County, Henrico County, Loudoun County, Powhatan County, Prince William County and Virginia Beach.
Are there poisonous snakes in Virginia?
Yes. Virginia has three venomous snake species on its list, the kind people usually call poisonous: eastern copperhead, northern cottonmouth and timber rattlesnake. Strictly, snakes are venomous (they inject venom), not poisonous (harmful to eat or touch).
Are there rattlesnakes in Virginia?
Yes. One species is on the Virginia list: the timber rattlesnake, with 242 licensed records. Most licensed records of the timber rattlesnake come from Bedford County, Albemarle County and Rappahannock County.
Are there copperheads in Virginia?
Yes. One species is on the Virginia list: the eastern copperhead, with 641 licensed records. Most licensed records of the eastern copperhead come from Fairfax County, Bedford County and Henrico County.
Are there cottonmouths (water moccasins) in Virginia?
Yes. One species is on the Virginia list: the northern cottonmouth, with 349 licensed records. Most licensed records of the northern cottonmouth come from Chesterfield County, Colonial Heights and Virginia Beach.
Are there coral snakes in Virginia?
No. GBIF holds no coral snake record for Virginia under any license.
Eastern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
Virginia has 641 licensed records of the eastern copperhead, which ranks the state 3rd of the 27 states where it reaches our threshold. Its observation records in Virginia run mostly May through September, peaking in July; most licensed records come from Fairfax County, Bedford County and Henrico County. Range in other states and photos: Eastern copperhead profile.
Northern cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)
Virginia has 349 licensed records of the northern cottonmouth, which ranks the state 5th of the 16 states where it reaches our threshold. Its observation records in Virginia run mostly March through November, peaking in July; most licensed records come from Chesterfield County, Colonial Heights and Virginia Beach. Range in other states and photos: Northern cottonmouth profile.
Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Virginia has 242 licensed records of the timber rattlesnake, which ranks the state 3rd of the 30 states where it reaches our threshold. Its observation records in Virginia run mostly May through September, peaking in July; most licensed records come from Bedford County, Albemarle County and Rappahannock County. Range in other states and photos: Timber rattlesnake profile.
Harmless lookalikes in Virginia
Many snakes and spiders taken for venomous ones are harmless species with a similar look. These are the usual confusions, with each species' licensed records in Virginia.
What looks like a copperhead in Virginia
Copperheads: 641 licensed records in Virginia. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: northern water snake (1,435), eastern rat snake (1,247), eastern milksnake (207), eastern hog-nosed snake (198) and corn snake (91). Together they have 3,239 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 5 times as often.
What looks like a cottonmouth in Virginia
Cottonmouths: 349 licensed records in Virginia. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: northern water snake (1,435), brown water snake (479), plain-bellied watersnake (61) and mud snake (25). Together they have 2,000 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 6 times as often.
What looks like a rattlesnake in Virginia
Rattlesnakes: 242 licensed records in Virginia. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: eastern hog-nosed snake (198). It has 198 licensed records, and the two sides are recorded about equally.
What looks like a coral snake in Virginia
No coral snakes reach the Virginia list, and GBIF holds no coral snake record for Virginia under any license, so a snake taken for one here is most likely a harmless lookalike. Those recorded in the state: eastern milksnake (207) and scarlet snake (44).
What looks like a widow spider in Virginia
Widow spiders: 123 licensed records in Virginia. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: boreal combfoot (74), triangulate bud spider (49), common house spider (37), false black widow (12) and twospotted cobweb spider (5). Together they have 177 licensed records, and the two sides are recorded about equally.
What looks like a recluse spider in Virginia
Recluse spiders are not on the Virginia list, but they are recorded in Virginia 29 times (records of any license: brown recluse 29): treat any spider like this as venomous until identified. Harmless species often taken for them in the state: longbodied cellar spider (27), dark-legged grass spider (6), southern house spider (6) and spitting spider (5).
How Virginia compares
By count of venomous snake species, Virginia ranks 20th of 50 states, level with 8 other states. Nationally, Arizona leads with 14 species; five list none.
Of the five states bordering Virginia, North Carolina lists more venomous snake species; Kentucky and Tennessee list as many (Virginia: 3 species; North Carolina 5, Kentucky 3, Tennessee 3, Maryland 2, West Virginia 2).
Venomous snakes listed next door but not in Virginia: the eastern coral snake (North Carolina); the pygmy rattlesnake (North Carolina). The most widely shared are the eastern copperhead and the timber rattlesnake, each listed in all five bordering states.
Are there poisonous spiders in Virginia?
Does Virginia have black widows?
Yes. Two widow species are on the Virginia list: the northern black widow (63 records) and the southern black widow (60 records).
Does Virginia have brown recluse spiders?
Not on our list: GBIF holds 29 brown recluse records of any license in Virginia (brown recluse 29), but they are filed under names that here stand for another species or lie outside the species’ known range, so they are not counted (see the methodology); such records can be genuine rarities, strays, transported animals or misidentifications. Treat any spider that looks like a recluse as venomous.
Northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus)
Virginia has 63 licensed records of the northern black widow, which ranks the state 2nd of the 30 states where it reaches our threshold. Its observation records in Virginia run mostly April through November, peaking in May; most licensed records come from Fairfax County, Prince William County and Loudoun County. Range in other states and photos: Northern black widow profile.
Southern black widow (Latrodectus mactans)
Virginia has 60 licensed records of the southern black widow, which ranks the state 4th of the 22 states where it reaches our threshold. Its observation records in Virginia run mostly April through November, peaking in September; most licensed records come from Montgomery County, Prince William County and Accomack County. Range in other states and photos: Southern black widow profile.
Are there scorpions in Virginia?
Not on our list: GBIF holds 3 scorpion records of any license in Virginia (southern unstriped scorpion 3), fewer than 10 of any one species; such records can be genuine rarities, strays, transported animals or misidentifications. Every scorpion has venom; only the Arizona bark scorpion's sting is medically significant, and it is not on the Virginia list.
Also recorded in Virginia, fewer than 10 times
Beyond the main list, one scorpion species is known from Virginia by only three records of any license. It may be a genuine rarity at the edge of its range, or a stray, a released pet or an old misidentification, so treat it as unconfirmed.
More for Virginia
GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.