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house in Sperryville provided a good spot to view Northern Water Snakes. A piece of dock had broken loose from somewhere, and I often counted up to seven of these snakes, in all sizes, interwoven in a slithery mass on the dock, seeking warmth.
Although these snakes look similar to Northern Copperheads, they are more shy, communal and harmless. If you’re not too familiar with the difference between the species, look for the round pupil of the water snake, versus the narrow, slit pupil of the copperhead.
The other sure way to distinguish between these species involves picking them up and looking at the markings on their bellies, which I don’t recommend to anyone inexperienced in handling poisonous snakes.
Copperheads also rarely go into the water, although they do like the damp environment near water and can be found along streams and ponds. Copperheads are not aggressive and usually avoid contact with humans, but they tend to be more slow-moving and less shy than the water snakes, so humans are more likely to come into contact with them accidentally. With either species, watching from afar is better for the snakes and the observers.
The responses of all snake species can be quite slowed down by cool temps during these transitional periods between seasons. While most of Virginia’s native snakes will try to avoid human contact, during the spring and fall they are sometimes too sluggish to make a quick retreat and may be more likely to try to defend themselves if disturbed.
Compost and manure piles, which generate heat, are a big
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