Snakes in West Virginia in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see snakes in West Virginia. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 1,544 of the 6,720 sightings logged across the year (23%), 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 West Virginia
23%
of yearly sightings
1,544
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
6,720
verified records a year
April 11.5%, May 23%, June 21.3%. Busiest month is May at 23%.
6,720 verified observations of snakes in West Virginia, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When snakes are recorded in West Virginia
Peak month
May
1,544 records (23% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 9 | 0.1% |
| February | 7 | 0.1% |
| March | 170 | 2.5% |
| April | 773 | 11.5% |
| Maypeak | 1,544 | 23% |
| Junepeak | 1,432 | 21.3% |
| July | 798 | 11.9% |
| Augustpeak | 814 | 12.1% |
| September | 767 | 11.4% |
| October | 342 | 5.1% |
| November | 52 | 0.8% |
| December | 12 | 0.2% |
Snakes you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Common Garter Snake | 1,358 |
| Gray Ratsnake | 982 |
| Common Watersnake | 678 |
| Ring-necked Snake | 537 |
| Common Five-lined Skink | 492 |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | 413 |
| Eastern Milksnake | 396 |
| Timber Rattlesnake | 281 |
In West Virginia, May carries 23% of the year's snakes sightings, about 14.7 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 (11.5%) into May, and it heads toward June (21.3%) 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 West Virginia are Common Garter Snake, Gray Ratsnake and Common Watersnake. 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 Garter Snake1,358 records
- Gray Ratsnake982 records
- Common Watersnake678 records
- Ring-necked Snake537 records
- Common Five-lined Skink492 records
- Eastern Fence Lizard413 records
Plan your snake trip in West 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 West Virginia in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 1,544 of the 6,720 verified snakes sightings logged in West Virginia across the year, which is 23% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see snakes in West Virginia?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, June and August.
What month is best for snakes in West Virginia?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and August, based on 6,720 verified observations.
Which snakes are you most likely to see in West Virginia?+
The most-recorded species in West Virginia are Common Garter Snake, Gray Ratsnake and Common Watersnake, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See snakes in West Virginia in other months
More places to see snakes
More wildlife in West Virginia