There are 20 snake species in West Virginia. Out of these, there are 2 species of venomous snake. These are the Timber Rattlesnake and the Eastern Copperhead. In this article, we will talk about each of West Virginia’s venomous snakes. We will then tell you where to find them in the Mountain State.
First, though, we have a section on pit vipers. Each of these venomous snakes is a pit viper. The pit viper section brings them into a better context. Next, we have a section on rattlesnakes in general since one of our venomous snakes is a rattlesnake.
You can skip the first two sections and go directly to the snake you’re interested in. Do this by clicking on its highlighted name.
- Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
- Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
Pit Vipers
Both of West Virginia’s venomous snakes belong to the Crotalinae or pit viper family. Another name for these snakes is pit vipers. Pit vipers have pits between their nostrils and eyes. These pits are specialized heat-sensing organs. They use them to detect body heat from prey animals. Pit organs enable pit vipers to strike their prey precisely, even in the dark. They are also able to detect body heat from up to 1 meter away.
Members of the pit viper family also have a large arrowhead-shaped head. It is attached to a comparatively slender neck. Furthermore, they have elliptical vertical pupils. Pupil shape is a defining characteristic. This is because nonvenomous snakes generally have round pupils.
Pit vipers have hollow fangs connected to venom glands. They use their fangs to inject venom into their prey. This venom immobilizes the prey, making it easier for the snake to consume. They primarily consume small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and small birds. These snakes play an important role in maintaining balance in rodent populations.
Rattlesnakes
The first thing people think about with regard to rattlesnakes is their tails. When they are disturbed, they vibrate their rattles using their tail muscles. This makes a buzzing or rattling-type sound. The specific purpose of the rattle is to warn larger animals to stay away. Sometimes, rattlers strike without rattling, though. Sometimes, their rattles fall off.
You must be aware of where you place your hands and feet in rattlesnake country. If you hear a rattling noise, do not move until you spot where it’s coming from. Otherwise, you may accidentally move into the snake, provoking it to strike you. You should carefully move to a safe distance when you’ve located the snake. But carefully scan your surroundings because the snake you see might not be the only one around.
When moving through a known rattlesnake area, you should have your dog on a leash. If you have hunting dogs, they should be wearing snake armor.
It’s a good idea to carry a walking stick. You can use it to tap the ground in front of you to warn any snakes of your approach. You can also use the stick to part any dense vegetation or tall grass in your path.
If you are hiking in rattlesnake country, it would be a good idea to wear snake boots or snake gaiters. This protects your lower legs from being bitten by a snake.
Timber Rattlesnake
| Scientific Name: | Crotalus horridus |
| Description: | Adult Timber Rattlesnakes grow between 36 and 60 inches (.91 to 1.52m) long. Their bodies are yellowish-brown with a dark chevron pattern. They also have a rusty stripe down their backs. Their tails are dark brown or black. |
| Habitat: | Timber Rattlesnakes prefer wooded areas and hillsides with rocky outcroppings. |
| Conservation Status: | Common within their range in West Virginia. |
The Timber Rattlesnake is West Virginia’s state reptile.
Timber Rattler and Canebrake Rattlesnake are both common names for the Timber Rattlesnake. Generally, in higher-elevation habitats, they are called Timber Rattlesnakes. On the coastal plain, though, they’re called Canebrake Rattlesnakes.
The average Timber Rattlesnake grows between 36 and 60 inches (.91 to 1.52m) long. However, there have been reports of them growing up to 7 feet (2.13m) long. See
These snakes vary in color. Their general base coloration is a yellowish-brown to grey-brown, though. They have a dark brown to black chevron pattern on their back and sides against a lighter base color. This chevron pattern turns to dark bands on their dark brown or black tails. They also have a rusty to reddish stripe down their backs. Their tails are dark brown or black. There are also melanistic timber rattlers. These are dark and sometimes almost entirely black. In the dark color morph of these snakes, the tail is also darker than the rest of the snake’s body.
Where Do Timber Rattlesnakes Live in West Virginia?
Although their numbers have decreased, Timber Rattlesnakes inhabit much of West Virginia.
The Timber Rattlesnake lives in various habitats. These include deciduous forests, pine forests, swamps, farm fields, and river floodplains. These snakes are marvelous climbers and have been found in trees at heights of more than 80 feet. Source
Wintertime Brumation
Snakes do not tolerate the cold weather in the winter months very well. They are ectotherms, which means they cannot regulate their body temperature internally. Physiologically, ectotherms cannot hibernate. Yet, they go into a state of suspended animation called brumation for up to 6 months out of the year.
Timber Rattlesnakes winter underneath rocks, in hollow logs, and in rock fissures. An individual might brumate alone in some parts of their range. However, in some areas, they congregate together in a communal den with other snakes.
In hilly terrain, south-facing slopes capture more radiant warmth from the sun. So, that is where these dens are generally located. Rock ledges with deep cracks are likely denning sites.
The other snakes they den with are not necessarily just copperheads. Sometimes, they share their dens with different types of snakes. You may find a Copperhead, or a Black Rat Snake, sharing the same den with Timber Rattlesnakes. These wintertime dens may hold up to 60 snakes.
What Do Timber Rattlesnakes Eat?
Timber rattlers prey on small mammals such as mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, and bats. They also eat small birds, other reptiles, and amphibians.
The experts have proven that timber rattlesnakes help control Lyme disease. This is because as they consume rodents, they’re also consuming ticks. A timber rattler will consume 2,500 to 4,500 ticks per year, depending on the location. See
What Eats Timber Rattlesnakes?
There are several potential predators of Timber Rattlesnakes in West Virginia.
- These include the Eastern Milk Snake and the Northern Black Racer. These two nonvenomous snakes are immune to snake venom. Both of them prey on rattlesnakes occasionally. Eastern Milk Snakes kill their prey by constriction. On the other hand, black racers hold their prey down with their bodies while they swallow it alive. This probably makes them limited to smaller rattlesnakes.
- Skunks are also immune to snake venom. They will eat rattlesnakes sometimes.
- Feral hogs are immune to snake venom and will happily snack on rattlesnakes.
- Raptors prey on rattlesnakes even though they are not immune to the venom. They have to figure out how to kill the snake without being bitten.
- It’s the same story for bobcats. They have no immunity to the venom but will prey on rattlesnakes anyway if given the chance.
How Dangerous Are Timber Rattlesnakes?
Timber Rattlesnakes are among the most dangerous snakes in North America. This is due to their large size, long fangs, and high venom yield. 1% to 10% of the time, an untreated Timber Rattlesnake bite results in a fatality.
The good news is that these snakes have a relatively mild disposition. They generally give ample warning before actually striking defensively. Also, 40% to 60% of the time, they produce dry bites. In other words, although their fangs penetrate the body, they do not inject any venom. Source
These snakes produce hemotoxic venom. In other words, it destroys red blood cells. Timber Rattlesnake bites sometimes cause serious complications. These include shock, seizures, coma, internal bleeding, and deep tissue damage. Source
Eastern Copperhead
| Scientific Name: | Agkistrodon contortrix |
| Description: | Adult copperheads are 20 to 37 inches (50 to 95 cm) long. Their bodies are coppery brown overlayed with dark brown hourglass blotches. |
| Habitat: | Deciduous forests, river bottoms, and rocky wooded hillsides. |
| Conservation Status: | Common within their range in West Virginia. |
West Virginia was formerly the home of the Northern Copperhead snake (A.c.mokasen). However, DNA analysis reveals minimal difference among former subspecies of copperheads. Today the former Northern Copperhead, Southern Copperhead, and Osage Copperhead are taxonomically combined. The common name for these snakes is Eastern Copperhead. Their scientific name is Agkistrodon contortrix. Source
The Eastern Copperhead is a pit viper native to the eastern and mid-western United States.
Eastern Copperhead snakes have reddish-tan to grayish-tan bodies. Their bodies are overlaid with hourglass-shaped dark brown markings. Their triangular heads are proportionately large. They have a dark brown or copper-colored head. This is the reason they have the name “Copperhead.”
Copperheads are stout heavy-bodied snakes. Adult copperheads are 20 to 37 inches (50 to 95 cm) long.
Where Do Eastern Copperhead Snakes Live In West Virginia?
Eastern Copperheads are scattered throughout most of the state of West Virginia.
Watch for these snakes in wooded areas such as river bottoms. They prefer areas where the leaf and plant debris provide cover for them to hide. This could also, at times, include wooded suburbs.
Eastern Copperhead Behavior
Copperheads have excellent camouflage coloration. It helps them blend in with leaf litter and other ground debris. Furthermore, they use camouflage as their number one defense mechanism. In other words, these snakes choose to lie perfectly still rather than flee most of the time.
For defensive behavior, they occasionally mimic the tail vibration of a rattlesnake. But, in most cases, they choose to lie perfectly still.
Most copperhead bites on humans occur when the person steps on or near the snake.
Wintertime Brumation
As we discussed in the section on Timber Rattlesnakes, snakes brumate in the winter. Brumation is a reptile’s version of hibernation.
Copperheads make wintertime dens in sheltered spots. They den underneath rocks and logs, as well as in fissures in rocky hillsides. An individual Copperhead might brumate alone in some parts of their range. But in other areas, they congregate in dens with other snakes through the winter.
Dens are usually placed on slopes facing south because they get more warmth from the sun. They don’t always share their dens only with Copperheads. Sometimes, they share their dens with other species of snakes. These might include Timber Rattlesnakes or Black Rat Snakes. These wintertime dens may hold up to 60 snakes.
What Do Eastern Copperheads Eat?
Copperheads prey on a variety of species. Their menu includes small rodents, amphibians, small birds, snakes, lizards, and insects.
What Eats Eastern Copperheads?
The same list of snake predators eat copperheads that eat Timber Rattlesnakes. This includes the ophiophagic Eastern Milksnake and Northern Black Racer. It also includes skunks, raptors, and bobcats.
How Dangerous are Copperheads?
A Copperhead can bite and inject venom when they are newly born. Like most pit vipers, they have hemotoxic venom.
Most copperhead bites are not life-threatening. On the other hand, any bite from this snake is a medical emergency and should be treated as such. If a copperhead bite victim gets medical help fast, they have a better chance of a positive outcome.
Copperhead bites can cause severe burning pain, shock, and swelling. Their bites also have the potential to cause blood in urine, tissue damage, and kidney failure.
An interesting study has found that Copperhead venom contains a protein called contortrostatin. Contortrostatin has been found to stop the growth of cancer cells in mice.
Symptoms of Venomous Snake Bites
Some of the symptoms you may experience from a venomous snake bite include:
- Discoloration in the site of the bite.
- Swelling in the bitten area.
- Loss of muscle coordination.
- Tingling sensation in the area of the bite.
- Feeling nauseous.
- Having an abnormally rapid pulse.
What Should You Do If A Venomous Snake Bites You?
If you or someone you are with has suffered a venomous snakebite, time is of the essence. This is because the sooner a victim receives anti-venom, the less likely the venom in their body is to cause harm. In other words, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.
Do not attempt to kill the snake for identification purposes. This gives the snake a chance to bite you again. Also, consider that severed snakeheads can still bite and envenomate. If you have a phone, take a picture of the offending reptile. Otherwise, get started on your way to the emergency room.
First Aid for Snake Bite Victims
- Remain calm and limit your movements. Do not run. If you must hike back to a vehicle, do it calmly and deliberately. Put as little stress on your heart as possible.
- Keep the area of the snake bite below the heart level and never above the heart level. Keeping the bite below the heart level will reduce the venom’s flow. However, holding the bite above your heart level will increase the venom’s flow.
- Remove all constricting items such as bracelets, watches, or rings before swelling occurs.
- Remember that using a cold compress on a venomous snake bite is not advisable. The cold may cause the local blood vessels to constrict and spread the venom faster.
- You can wash the affected area like any other wound with soap and water.
- You may cover the bite area with a moist dressing to reduce the swelling.
- Get medical help as soon as possible. Call the hospital to tell them a venomous snake has bitten you. So they can have anti-venom ready to give you when you arrive.
- A person whom a venomous snake has bitten may go into shock. If this happens, lay them flat and cover them with a blanket.
Dressing for Snake Country
- High-top leather boots and long pants are both wise ideas.
- Also, wear loose-fitting denim. If there’s a gap before the snake’s fangs touch your skin, your chances of being envenomated are lower.
- In the absence of high-top leather boots, some people wear snake gaiters.
