Snakes in West Virginia in September
Yes, September is a good month to see snakes in West Virginia. It is the 6th busiest month of the year, with 767 of the 6,720 sightings logged across the year (11.4%), 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.
Good month for snakes in West Virginia
11.4%
of yearly sightings
767
records in September
#6
busiest month of 12
6,720
verified records a year
August 12.1%, September 11.4%, October 5.1%. 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, September carries 11.4% of the year's snakes sightings, about 3.1 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 6th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity holds steady between August and September, and it heads toward October (5.1%) after. The busiest month is May (23%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
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 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 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 September?+
Yes. September accounts for 767 of the 6,720 verified snakes sightings logged in West Virginia across the year, which is 11.4% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see snakes in West Virginia?+
September is the 6th busiest month. It is workable, though May and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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