5 Most Rattlesnake-Infested Areas in Virginia

Virginia is a fantastic state, filled with gorgeous pure locations to discover, reminiscent of its rivers, shoreline, and mountainous areas. Every yr, 1000’s of individuals flock to the state’s lakes and water reservoirs to fish, swim and boat. The state’s largest lake is Kerr Lake, which straddles Virginia’s southern border with North Carolina. Virginia’s lakes and waterbodies are house to an extremely array of ecosystems. Lake Drummond for instance is close to the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, an space with an abundance of biodiversity. According to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, there are solely three venomous snakes in Virginia: copperheads, timber rattlesnakes, and water moccasins (cottonmouths). All the lakes and waterbodies in Virginia have an abundance of wildlife, and rattlesnakes are not any exception. Let’s be taught in regards to the 5 most rattlesnake-infested areas in Virginia.

Lake Gaston

Another lake that rests on the Virginia-North Carolina border, attracting guests to its pure magnificence, is Lake Gaston. Fishing is a well-liked leisure exercise on the lake, since there may be an abundance of largemouth bass, striped bass, and catfish. Swimming, boating, and tenting are additionally fashionable actions on Lake Gaston. While the lake is undeniably a fantastic location to get pleasure from these leisure actions, it’s house to a wide range of snakes. Some of the widespread nonvenomous snakes that guests may encounter embrace the northern water snake and the jap garter snake. Venomous snake species can be discovered across the lake, together with rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths. According to the state’s Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Lake Gaston is the place the place the very best variety of snake bites have been reported. However, snakes do not often assault until provoked. Knowing this and conserving your distance, particularly if friends are swimming, is essential to recollect. Typically the snakes at Lake Gaston reside within the surrounding vegetation and marshy areas close to the lake.

Smith Mountain Lake

Smith Mountain Lake is Virginia’s second largest physique of water, spanning 20,000 acres. Located within the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia, the realm attracts 1000’s of tourists yearly. There is a lot of wildlife within the space, together with a big inhabitants of northern water snakes, a nonvenomous species that is generally confused with the venomous cottonmouth. Often the northern water snake is seen close to the lake’s shoreline. On sunny days they’re seen sunbathing on rocks. Other snakes that guests may discover embrace the ribbon snake, jap rat snake, and the jap hognose snake. The venomous copperhead and cottonmouth snakes are discovered within the space however are rarer to identify than the nonvenomous snakes at Smith Mountain Lake.

Lake Anna

Lake Anna is a big reservoir in central Virginia. Covering 13,000 acres, it’s barely smaller than Smith Mountain Lake and stays a preferred vacation spot for boating, swimming, and fishing. Most snakes close to the lake are nonvenomous, making it a secure place for guests to look at these animals of their pure habitat, although encounters are uncommon. The commonest snakes embrace the jap garter snake and the jap rat snake, each of which thrive within the heat water and vegetation alongside the shore. The solely venomous snake within the space is the copperhead, however it’s hardly ever discovered within the water. Usually, copperheads are seen on rocks or in close by woods, so it is essential to be cautious and watch your step.

Lake Drummond

Lake Drummond, nestled within the Great Dismal Swamp, is plentiful with snakes. As certainly one of Virginia’s solely two naturally occurring freshwater lakes, it options distinctive biodiversity and delightful surroundings that appeal to many guests. The lake spans 3,100 acres and has darkish, murky waters shrouded in thriller. The surrounding swamp habitat hosts varied snakes, such because the northern water snake and the venomous cottonmouth, which is incessantly discovered close by water. Visitors ought to train further warning round marshy, vegetated areas.

Kerr Lake

Kerr Lake, a preferred spot for fishing, swimming, and boating, lies on the border between North Carolina and Virginia. Also known as Bugg’s Island Lake, it covers 50,000 acres, making it Virginia’s largest lake. Its marshes, in depth shoreline, and guarded wooded areas present a sanctuary for snakes. The surrounding forests are filled with prey like rodents, providing a straightforward meals supply for snakes. Both nonvenomous and venomous snakes may be discovered at Kerr Lake. Visitors may encounter species such because the jap rat snake and the venomous copperhead. Since these snakes typically disguise underneath rocks, logs, or particles, it’s essential to observe your step.

Snake Safety

Virginia’s areas with the very best rattlesnake exercise characteristic a various vary of snake species. The timber rattlesnake, typically present in mountainous areas and southeastern elements, can be known as the canebrake rattlesnake and is at present endangered in Virginia. Near varied water our bodies, completely different snakes are extra prevalent. For instance, the jap garter snake and jap rat snake are widespread round Lake Anna. At Smith Mountain Lake, sightings of the ribbon snake and jap hognose snake are frequent. Some lakes, reminiscent of Lake Gaston, usually tend to host venomous snakes like copperheads and cottonmouths. Since bites from these snakes may be lethal, guests ought to train warning in these areas. To keep secure, it is important to be taught in regards to the native snakes earlier than visiting—particularly the right way to establish venomous ones—and maintain your distance in the event you see one. Snakes often solely assault when threatened. Always watch out the place you step, particularly in marshy zones or locations with hidden snakes like underneath logs, rocks, leaves, or in murky water. Staying alert and understanding snake conduct helps guarantee everybody’s security.