Are there water snakes in WV?

Are there water snakes in WV?

All but one species, the Salt Marsh Snake (Nerodia clarkii) inhabit fresh water areas from small ponds to large rivers. West Virginia has the Northern Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon), probably the species with the widest range. Knowing that it’s the only species in the state is the best clue.

Are there poisonous water snakes in West Virginia?

There are no confirmed records of the cottonmouth or any venomous water snakes occurring within West Virginia. and is found most frequently in moist woodlands where it feeds on small invertebrates such as slugs, snails, insects and earthworms.

Are Virginia water snakes poisonous?

Three are venomous — rattlesnakes, cottonmouths and copperheads. They can indeed be dangerous if you get too close. The other three are harmless but common — watersnakes, gartersnakes and blacksnakes. They are the ones you are more likely to meet in the park or yard.

What does a Virginia Water Snake look like?

In Virginia, there are three species of watersnake: brown watersnake, northern watersnake and plain-bellied watersnake. Northern watersnakes (Nerodia sipidon) are brown to gray with varying amounts of red, yellow and white. The body is thick and robust with several blotches and crossbands on the back.

Is there water moccasins in West Virginia?

Here in West Virginia we have 22 species of snakes with only two of them poisonous. Copperheads and rattlesnakes are the only venomous snakes found in West Virginia. So if someone told you they saw a cottonmouth, water moccasin or cobra, in the wild here, they are full of it.

Is there water moccasins in WV?

Where do water moccasins live?

Cottonmouths are native to the U.S. and range from southeastern Virginia to Florida, west to central Texas and north to southern Illinois and Indiana, according to the IUCN. They primarily live in aquatic and wetland habitats, including swamps, marshes, drainage ditches, ponds, lakes and streams.

How do you tell the difference between a water moccasin and a water snake?

The most noticeable difference is the shape of the head. A water snake’s head will be slender and flow smoothly into the neck, while the head of a water moccasin is far more blocky, and the neck much more narrow as it meets the head.

Are cottonmouths aggressive?

The most common behaviors displayed by cottonmouths during interactions with people are gaping, attempting to escape, and/or vibrating their tails (Gibbons and Dorcas 2002). Despite these examples of relatively benign defensive behaviors, cottonmouths maintain a reputation of being ‘aggressive’ or ‘mean’.

Do Copperheads go in water?

Copperheads will very rarely go in the water but they are typically found elsewhere. When water snakes are threatened while swimming, they will almost always try to get away by diving underneath the water.