You’re hiking through the New River Gorge or maybe just cleaning out a cluttered corner of your garage in Kanawha County, and there it is. A coil. A slither. That immediate, lizard-brain spike of adrenaline. Most people’s first instinct is to grab a shovel or run the other way, but usually, they reach for their phone first.
Taking pictures of snakes in West Virginia has become a bit of a local pastime, especially with everyone trying to figure out if that "copperhead" in the driveway is actually a copperhead.
Spoilers: It usually isn't.
Honestly, West Virginia is a wild place. We have 20 to 23 recognized species of snakes depending on which herpetologist you ask (the WVDNR leans toward 20-22 main ones). Out of all those, only two can actually hurt you. Just two. Yet, if you look at local Facebook groups, every brown-ish snake with a spot is labeled a "deadly copperhead."
It’s kinda exhausting for the snakes, really.
The Copperhead Identity Crisis
If you’re looking at your phone screen right now trying to ID a snake, look at the pattern. This is the biggest "tell" in any photo.
A real Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) has a very specific "hourglass" or "Hershey Kiss" pattern. Imagine a Hershey Kiss sitting on its side. The narrow part of the band is at the top of the back, and it gets wider on the sides.
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Most people get this backward.
They see a Milk Snake or a juvenile Central Ratsnake with dark blotches and panic. But those harmless guys have blotches that are widest on the top of the back. It’s a small detail, but it’s the difference between a venomous pit viper and a neighborhood rodent-control specialist.
Why Your Photo Might Be Lying to You
Cameras are great, but they can be deceptive. I’ve seen photos where the lighting makes a gray Ratsnake look copper-colored.
- Distance matters: Most people take photos from 10 feet away (smart move), but then digital zoom turns the snake into a pixelated blob.
- Angle: If you take a picture from directly above, you can't see the eye shape.
- The Pupil Myth: Everyone says "look for the vertical cat-eye pupils." Sure, if you're two feet away. Please don't get two feet away just to check its vision.
The State Reptile: The Timber Rattlesnake
The Timber Rattlesnake is the big boss of West Virginia woods. It’s literally our state reptile. These things are gorgeous in a "respect my space" kinda way. They can be almost solid black (the black phase) or a stunning yellow and brown (the yellow phase).
They have dark, V-shaped "chevron" bands. Unlike copperheads, their tails are usually solid black and velvety right before the rattle.
I’ve talked to Kevin Oxenrider from the WVDNR about this, and he’s pretty clear: Timber Rattlesnakes are shy. They’re ambush predators. They want to sit still, look like a pile of leaves, and wait for a squirrel. If you see one, it's because you got lucky. They aren't "chasing" anyone. That’s a total myth.
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Common "Fakes" in Your Photo Gallery
Before you post your pictures of snakes in West Virginia to Reddit for an ID, check if it might be one of these frequent "imposters":
- The Eastern Milk Snake: These guys are beautiful. Reddish-brown blotches with black outlines. People constantly mistake them for copperheads because of the reddish tint.
- The Northern Water Snake: This is the one everyone calls a "water moccasin." Newsflash: We don't have Water Moccasins (Cottonmouths) in West Virginia. Our water snakes are just cranky, non-venomous mimics that flatten their heads to look scary.
- The Eastern Hognose: This is the drama queen of the Appalachian forest. It hisses, flattens its neck like a cobra, and if that doesn't work, it literally flips over and plays dead with its tongue hanging out.
How to Get a "Search-Engine-Ready" ID Photo
If you want a fast identification from an expert, your photo needs to show three things. First, the mid-body pattern. We need to see those bands or blotches clearly. Second, the head shape (from a distance!). While the "triangle head" isn't a perfect rule—since many harmless snakes flatten their heads to look tough—it helps.
Third, the tail.
Is it long and whip-like? Does it have a rattle? Does it end abruptly?
Wait. Let’s talk about the "Black Snake" for a second.
In West Virginia, when someone says "black snake," they usually mean the Central Ratsnake or the Northern Black Racer. These are the giants. They can hit 6 or 7 feet long. They are the best things you can have in your yard because they eat the rodents that carry ticks and Lyme disease. If you see a big black snake in your rafters, leave it alone. It’s basically free pest control.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Snake Safety
There’s this weird idea that snakes are "infesting" places. They aren't. They’re just living.
If you find a snake in your basement, it’s because you have a mouse problem, not a snake problem. The snake is the solution. Most bites in West Virginia happen because someone tried to kill the snake with a stick or pick it up.
Basically, leave it alone, and it will leave you alone.
If you absolutely must move one, a garden hose is your best friend. A gentle spray of water will make almost any snake decide that your porch is too annoying to stay on. They'll slither off to find a quieter spot. No harm, no foul.
Identifying Snakes by Habitat
Where you took the photo is a huge clue.
- Near water? It’s likely a Queen Snake or a Northern Water Snake.
- In your garden/mulch? Probably a tiny DeKay's Brownsnake or a Ring-necked Snake (look for the yellow collar).
- In the high mountains/rocky outcrops? That's where you're more likely to find the Timber Rattlesnake.
Actionable Steps for West Virginia Homeowners
So, you’ve got pictures of snakes in West Virginia and you’re still not 100% sure what you're looking at. Here is exactly what you should do next to be a responsible Mountaineer:
- Don't Kill It: It is actually illegal to kill snakes in West Virginia unless they pose an immediate threat. Since you have time to take a picture, the threat isn't immediate.
- Upload to iNaturalist: This app uses AI and real humans to give you a near-instant identification based on your location and photo.
- Check the WVDNR Website: They have a specific PDF guide called "Snakes of West Virginia" that is the gold standard for local ID.
- Join a Local Herp Group: There are "Snake Identification" groups on Facebook specifically for West Virginia and Virginia. Post your photo there; experts usually reply within minutes.
- Clean Up the Yard: If you don't want snakes, get rid of the "habitat." Move the woodpile away from the house, keep the grass mowed, and pick up those old pieces of plywood or tin.
Snakes are a vital part of our mountains. They keep the ecosystem in check and, honestly, they're just trying to survive the winter like the rest of us. Next time you see one, take the photo, enjoy the encounter, and let it go on its way.
Your Next Move: Download the WVDNR Snake ID guide to your phone so you have it even when you lose cell service in the mountains. If you find a Timber Rattlesnake, report the sighting to the DNR's official survey—it helps them track populations and protect the species for the future.