Virginia
Snakes in Chesapeake County
23 species have been documented here, 3 of them venomous.
Venomous snakes in Chesapeake County
Full guide & what to do if bitten →
Eastern CopperheadAgkistrodon contortrixVenomousHeavy body, triangular head, vertical pupils, and a heat-sensing pit between each eye and nostril.
Northern CottonmouthAgkistrodon piscivorusVenomousHeavy body, triangular head, vertical pupils, and a heat-sensing pit between each eye and nostril.
Timber RattlesnakeCrotalus horridusVenomousHeavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Every snake recorded in Chesapeake County
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
Harmless
Common Watersnake
Nerodia sipedon
Harmless
Rough Greensnake
Opheodrys aestivus
Harmless
Brown Watersnake
Nerodia taxispilota
Harmless
Eastern Ratsnake
Pantherophis alleghaniensis
Harmless
Plain-bellied Watersnake
Nerodia erythrogaster
Harmless
Eastern Kingsnake
Lampropeltis getula
Harmless
North American Racer
Coluber constrictor
Harmless
Eastern Copperhead
Agkistrodon contortrix
Venomous
Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus
Harmless
Northern Cottonmouth
Agkistrodon piscivorus
Venomous
DeKay's Brownsnake
Storeria dekayi
Harmless
Timber Rattlesnake
Crotalus horridus
Venomous
Mudsnake
Farancia abacura
Harmless
Western Ratsnake
Pantherophis obsoletus
Harmless
Common Ribbon Snake
Thamnophis saurita
Harmless
Common Wormsnake
Carphophis amoenus
Harmless
Red-bellied Snake
Storeria occipitomaculata
Harmless
Eastern Milksnake
Lampropeltis triangulum
Harmless
Eastern Hognose Snake
Heterodon platirhinos
Harmless
Rough Earthsnake
Virginia striatula
Harmless
Smooth Earthsnake
Virginia valeriae
Harmless
Scarletsnake
Cemophora coccinea
Harmless
Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.