Snakes in Virginia in September
Yes, September is a good month to see snakes in Virginia. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 5,694 of the 59,803 sightings logged across the year (9.5%), 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.
Good month for snakes in Virginia
9.5%
of yearly sightings
5,694
records in September
#4
busiest month of 12
59,803
verified records a year
August 9.5%, September 9.5%, October 6.1%. 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, September carries 9.5% of the year's snakes sightings, about 1.2 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between August and September, and it heads toward October (6.1%) after. The busiest month is May (24.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
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 September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September 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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Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see snakes in Virginia in September?+
Yes. September accounts for 5,694 of the 59,803 verified snakes sightings logged in Virginia across the year, which is 9.5% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see snakes in Virginia?+
September is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though May and April is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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