Afraid of snakes? Most are not a worry

by KATIE DUNN • Staff Writer
This content is for subscribers only. Log in or sign up for a free trial below.

Northern watersnake. Nonvenomous. Scientific name: Nerodia sipedon. Vernacular names include: Banded watersnake, black watersnake, moccasin. Average length: 24 to 42 inches. Appearance: Dark crossbands on the neck, with alternating blotches on the rest of the body. Body color is brown to gray, with varying amounts of red, yellow, or white. Often confused in Virginia with the venomous cottonmouth (or water moccasin), which is not found in Southwest Virginia, and the venomous copperhead, which has hourglass-shaped bands across the length of its body. Hides and basks by day and forages by night. Frequents rivers and streams and is rarely found far from permanent water. VIRGINIA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY PHOTO


Mountain Empire Older Citizens
CCC
Morgan McClure 3