Venomous snakes and spiders in West Virginia
West Virginia has two venomous snake species among the 18 snake species listed there: timber rattlesnake and eastern copperhead. The timber rattlesnake accounts for the most records (44), and venomous species make up 5% of all 1,641 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 West Virginia
West Virginia's venomous snakes are one rattlesnake species and one copperhead or cottonmouth species. Together they account for 86 licensed records; the timber rattlesnake alone has 51% of them, and the least recorded, the eastern copperhead, has 42.
Dangerous spiders of West Virginia
Two widow species (Northern black widow: 3 records, Southern black widow: 1 record) are on the West Virginia list. There is no recluse spider on the West 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 West Virginia
These eight account for 72% of all licensed snake records in West Virginia; the most recorded, the northern water snake, alone for 18%.
All 18 snakes of West Virginia →
Other spiders recorded most in West Virginia
These eight account for 36% of all licensed spider records in West Virginia; the most recorded, the orchard orbweaver, alone for 8%.
All 90 spiders of West Virginia →
When are snakes out in West Virginia?
Observation records of snakes in West Virginia run mostly May through September, peaking in May with 27% of them. December through February together hold under 2% of the records, so snakes in West Virginia are rarely recorded in winter. Venomous snakes alone have 27 observation records with a month in West Virginia, too few for a season of their own.
When spiders are most active in West Virginia
Observation records of spiders in West Virginia run mostly April through October, peaking in June with 21% of them. December through February together hold under 2% of the records, so spiders in West Virginia are rarely recorded in winter.
Counties with the most venomous snake records
Pendleton County has the most records of venomous snakes in West Virginia, 9, most of them of the timber rattlesnake. Berkeley County and Morgan County follow.
| # | County | Records | Most recorded there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pendleton County | 9 | Timber rattlesnake |
| 2 | Berkeley County | 8 | Eastern copperhead |
| 3 | Morgan County | 6 | Eastern copperhead |
| 4 | Tucker County | 5 | Timber rattlesnake |
| 5 | Mineral County | 4 | Eastern copperhead |
| 6 | Monongalia County | 4 | Timber rattlesnake |
| 7 | Monroe County | 4 | Timber rattlesnake |
| 8 | Nicholas County | 4 | Timber rattlesnake |
| 9 | Preston County | 4 | Timber rattlesnake |
| 10 | Cabell County | 4 | Eastern copperhead |
Where in West Virginia are snakes recorded most?
Randolph County leads with 223 records (14%), followed by Preston County and Pocahontas County; the top five counties hold 43% of the total. 55 of West Virginia's 55 counties have at least one licensed snake record.
| # | County | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Randolph County | 223 | 13.6% |
| 2 | Preston County | 134 | 8.2% |
| 3 | Pocahontas County | 125 | 7.6% |
| 4 | Tucker County | 112 | 6.8% |
| 5 | Pendleton County | 105 | 6.4% |
| 6 | Hampshire County | 56 | 3.4% |
| 7 | Greenbrier County | 51 | 3.1% |
| 8 | Monongalia County | 49 | 3.0% |
| 9 | Jefferson County | 45 | 2.7% |
| 10 | Mineral County | 45 | 2.7% |
| 11 | Webster County | 43 | 2.6% |
| 12 | Marshall County | 40 | 2.4% |
Are there poisonous snakes in West Virginia?
Yes. West Virginia has two venomous snake species on its list, the kind people usually call poisonous: timber rattlesnake and eastern copperhead. Strictly, snakes are venomous (they inject venom), not poisonous (harmful to eat or touch).
Are there rattlesnakes in West Virginia?
Yes. One species is on the West Virginia list: the timber rattlesnake, with 44 licensed records. Most licensed records of the timber rattlesnake come from Pendleton County, Tucker County and Monroe County.
Are there copperheads in West Virginia?
Yes. One species is on the West Virginia list: the eastern copperhead, with 42 licensed records. Most licensed records of the eastern copperhead come from Berkeley County, Morgan County and Cabell County.
Are there cottonmouths (water moccasins) in West Virginia?
No. GBIF holds no cottonmouth record for West Virginia under any license.
Are there coral snakes in West Virginia?
No. GBIF holds no coral snake record for West Virginia under any license.
Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
West Virginia has 44 licensed records of the timber rattlesnake, which ranks the state 16th of the 30 states where it reaches our threshold. Most of its licensed records in West Virginia come from Pendleton County, Tucker County and Monroe County. Range in other states and photos: Timber rattlesnake profile.
Eastern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
West Virginia has 42 licensed records of the eastern copperhead, which ranks the state 22nd of the 27 states where it reaches our threshold. Most of its licensed records in West Virginia come from Berkeley County, Morgan County and Cabell County. Range in other states and photos: Eastern copperhead profile.
Harmless lookalikes in West 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 West Virginia.
What looks like a copperhead in West Virginia
Copperheads: 42 licensed records in West Virginia. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: northern water snake (288), eastern milksnake (90), eastern rat snake (56) and eastern hog-nosed snake (39). Together they have 473 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 11 times as often.
What looks like a cottonmouth in West Virginia
No cottonmouths reach the West Virginia list, and GBIF holds no cottonmouth record for West Virginia under any license, so a snake taken for one here is most likely a harmless lookalike. Those recorded in the state: northern water snake (288).
What looks like a rattlesnake in West Virginia
Rattlesnakes: 44 licensed records in West Virginia. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: eastern hog-nosed snake (39). It has 39 licensed records, and the two sides are recorded about equally.
What looks like a coral snake in West Virginia
No coral snakes reach the West Virginia list, and GBIF holds no coral snake record for West Virginia under any license, so a snake taken for one here is most likely a harmless lookalike. Those recorded in the state: eastern milksnake (90).
What looks like a widow spider in West Virginia
Widow spiders: 4 licensed records in West Virginia. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: triangulate bud spider (5) and boreal combfoot (on record). Together they have 5 licensed records, and the two sides are recorded about equally.
What looks like a recluse spider in West Virginia
No recluse spiders reach the West Virginia list, and GBIF holds no recluse spider record for West Virginia under any license, so a spider taken for one here is most likely a harmless lookalike. Those recorded in the state: longbodied cellar spider (2).
How West Virginia compares
By count of venomous snake species, West Virginia ranks 29th of 50 states, level with 7 other states. Nationally, Arizona leads with 14 species; five list none.
Of the five states bordering West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia list more venomous snake species; Maryland lists as many (West Virginia: 2 species; Kentucky 3, Ohio 3, Pennsylvania 3, Virginia 3, Maryland 2).
Venomous snakes listed next door but not in West Virginia: the eastern massasauga (Ohio and Pennsylvania); the northern cottonmouth (Kentucky and Virginia). The most widely shared are the eastern copperhead and the timber rattlesnake, each listed in all five bordering states.
Are there poisonous spiders in West Virginia?
Does West Virginia have black widows?
Yes. Two widow species are on the West Virginia list: the northern black widow (3 records) and the southern black widow (1 record).
Does West Virginia have brown recluse spiders?
No. GBIF holds no brown recluse record for West Virginia under any license.
Northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus)
West Virginia has 3 licensed records of the northern black widow, which ranks the state 24th of the 30 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Northern black widow profile.
Southern black widow (Latrodectus mactans)
West Virginia has 1 licensed record of the southern black widow, which ranks the state 20th of the 22 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Southern black widow profile.
Are there scorpions in West Virginia?
No. GBIF holds no scorpion record for West Virginia under any license. Every scorpion has venom; only the Arizona bark scorpion's sting is medically significant, and it is not on the West Virginia list.
More for West Virginia
GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.