Snakes in Virginia in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in Virginia. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 14,605 of the 59,803 sightings logged across the year (24.4%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Peak month for snakes in Virginia
24.4%
of yearly sightings
14,605
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
59,803
verified records a year
April 16.7%, May 24.4%, June 15.4%. Busiest month is May at 24.4%.
59,803 verified observations of snakes in Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in Virginia
Peak month
May
14,605 records (24.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 233 | 0.4% |
| February | 321 | 0.5% |
| March | 3,327 | 5.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 9,991 | 16.7% |
| Maypeak | 14,605 | 24.4% |
| Junepeak | 9,183 | 15.4% |
| July | 5,613 | 9.4% |
| August | 5,671 | 9.5% |
| September | 5,694 | 9.5% |
| October | 3,653 | 6.1% |
| November | 1,218 | 2% |
| December | 294 | 0.5% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Five-lined Skink | 7,590 |
| Common Watersnake | 7,505 |
| Common Garter Snake | 4,869 |
| Eastern Ratsnake | 4,096 |
| DeKay's Brownsnake | 3,848 |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | 3,327 |
| Common Wormsnake | 2,794 |
| Ring-necked Snake | 2,350 |
In Virginia, May carries 24.4% of the year's snakes sightings, about 16.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (16.7%) into May, and it heads toward June (15.4%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The snakes most often recorded in Virginia are Common Five-lined Skink, Common Watersnake and Common Garter Snake. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which snakes you are most likely to see
- Common Five-lined Skink7,590 records
- Common Watersnake7,505 records
- Common Garter Snake4,869 records
- Eastern Ratsnake4,096 records
- DeKay's Brownsnake3,848 records
- Eastern Fence Lizard3,327 records
Plan your snake trip in Virginia
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main snake viewing area.
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Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see snakes in Virginia in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 14,605 of the 59,803 verified snakes sightings logged in Virginia across the year, which is 24.4% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in Virginia?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, April and June.
What month is best for snakes in Virginia?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, April and June, based on 59,803 verified observations.
Which snakes are you most likely to see in Virginia?+
The most-recorded species in Virginia are Common Five-lined Skink, Common Watersnake and Common Garter Snake, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See snakes in Virginia in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in Virginia