Sunday, July 16th, is World Snake Day. I used to be one of those people who shook my head and muttered “gross” when someone mentioned snakes. However, I’ve learned a lot and now know that snakes have a job to do, so I should just get out of their way and let them do it.
There are about 3,500 snake species, but fewer than one-fourth are even mildly toxic. There are only about 30 species in Virginia, and of those 30, only 3 are toxic. The Timber Rattlesnake is found in the western part of the state. not in Richmond. The Cottonmouth, aka Water moccasin, is usually found in wet areas, somewhat east and south of here—most prevalent in Tidewater. The Copperhead can be found in most areas in the state. However, snakes are shy and would far rather avoid you than interact. When you accidentally come across one, their main goal is to “make tracks” and disappear. Most people who get bitten by a snake are usually trying to kill or trap them.
The chances of actually dying from a snake bite are pretty slim. In 2025, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles said 825 people were killed on Virginia highways. In contrast, fewer than 15 people have died from snake bites in the last 30 years! A Herpetologist (snake specialist) with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries said “in the U.S. you are more likely to get killed by a horse than a snake.”
So what do snakes do? Snakes play a very important role in controlling rodent populations! They eat moles, voles, rats and mice, etc. Without snakes there would be a dramatic rise in garden/crop damage and a big increase in rodent spread diseases. Snakes also eat slugs, snails, beetles, etc. which eat our crops, only the snakes don’t.
If you do see a snake or two hanging around your yard, it might very well be that you have a food source, so start thinking about what you have that they want. Maybe you have an abundance of mice in that tool shed or maybe your garden is infested with insects.
So for this year’s World Snake Day, take a minute to appreciate the job they do—before heading back inside!