Venomous animals in West Virginia

Venomous species living here
32 venomous snakes, 1 venomous spider

The ones that need the most respect: timber rattlesnake. A bite from any of them is a medical emergency.

Dangerous: 1Medically significant: 2
  • 1 dangerous
  • 2 medically significant
Venomous snakes
2
Venomous spiders
1
Scorpions
0
Centipedes
0
Open records
105
Counties with any record
32

Where they turn up in West Virginia

Tucker: Timber rattlesnakePocahontas: Copperhead, Timber rattlesnakeWebster: Copperhead, Timber rattlesnakeRandolph: Copperhead, Timber rattlesnakeGreenbrier: CopperheadMercer: Black widowBarbour: CopperheadPreston: Copperhead, Timber rattlesnakeMineral: Black widow, Copperhead, Timber rattlesnakeCabell: CopperheadWirt: CopperheadLogan: CopperheadPendleton: Copperhead, Timber rattlesnakeWood: Black widowHarrison: CopperheadBoone: CopperheadFayette: CopperheadHampshire: Copperhead, Timber rattlesnakeLewis: Timber rattlesnakeHancock: CopperheadOhio: CopperheadMingo: Timber rattlesnakeMorgan: Black widow, Copperhead, Timber rattlesnakeGrant: Timber rattlesnakeJefferson: CopperheadNicholas: Copperhead, Timber rattlesnakeBerkeley: Copperhead, Timber rattlesnakeUpshur: CopperheadMonongalia: Black widow, Copperhead, Timber rattlesnakePleasants: CopperheadHardy: CopperheadMonroe: Timber rattlesnake
Number of venomous species with open GBIF records in each county. Blank counties often mean nobody has posted a record yet, not that nothing lives there.

Venomous snakes in West Virginia

Venomous snakes in West Virginia: map, photos and look-alikes

Venomous spiders in West Virginia

Venomous spiders in West Virginia: map, photos and look-alikes

When they are out

Jan: 1 records (spider)JanFebMarApr: 2 records (venomous snake)AprMay: 11 records (venomous snake)May: 1 records (spider)MayJun: 20 records (venomous snake)JunJul: 22 records (venomous snake)Jul: 1 records (spider)JulAug: 15 records (venomous snake)Aug: 1 records (spider)AugSep: 9 records (venomous snake)Sep: 1 records (spider)SepOct: 1 records (venomous snake)OctNovDec
Open records by month; most fall in June to August. People record animals when they are outdoors too, so winter looks quieter than it may be.

Harmless look-alikes in West Virginia

Quick answers for West Virginia

Questions

How many venomous snakes live in West Virginia?

2 species: Timber rattlesnake and Copperhead.

Are there brown recluse spiders in West Virginia?

No. There are no open records of the brown recluse from West Virginia, and the state is outside its range.

Are there scorpions in West Virginia?

No. There are no open records of native scorpions from the state.

When are venomous animals most active in West Virginia?

Most open records from West Virginia fall in June to August. Records follow when people are outdoors too, so treat this as a guide, not a rule.

What should I do after a bite or sting?

Call 911 for any venomous snakebite or a severe reaction. For spider bites and scorpion stings, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, free and open 24/7.

Neighboring states