Wood Turtle
Wood turtles (Clemmys insculpta) are a very fascinating and rare turtle. Found only in a few northern counties in Virginia, this turtle is listed as state threatened. Some specimens can obtain a length of nearly 10 inches. A distinguishing characteristic is the raised rings found on each scute of the carapace that give it a […]
Timber Rattlesnake
Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) are one of three venomous snakes of Virginia. In the state, there are two separate populations. Timber rattlesnakes are found in the mountains and piedmont areas, whereas the Canebrake Rattlesnake is found in the southeast corner of the state. Timber rattlesnakes are very heavy bodied snakes reaching lengths upwards of five […]
Spotted Turtle
The Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata) is one of the smaller turtles found throughout Virginia’s coastal plain. These turtles rarely exceed a carapace length of five inches, and are easily distinguished by their black shells with yellow or orange spots. The spots continue onto the head and limbs also. The spotted turtle prefers shallow freshwater bodies of water […]
Common Snapping Turtle
The largest freshwater turtle found in Virginia, the common snapping turtle can reach a shell length of over 19 inches and weigh up to 75 pounds! its long tail with recognizable saw-tooth keels makes it distinctive from other aquatic turtle species. Powerful beak-l.ike jaw and hightly mobile head and neck make it a formidable hunter. […]
Eastern Glass Lizard
One of only nine lizards native to Virginia, the Eastern Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis) is a legless lizard. Found in only a few locations, the Eastern Glass Lizard is the rarest lizard in the state. At first glance a glass lizard may be mistaken for a snake, but they have distinct differences. Glass lizards have […]
Eastern Cottonmouth
Eastern cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus) are one of the three venomous snakes found in Virginia. They are heavy bodied snakes that can reach over 70 inches in length, but typically are between 36 and 48 inches. Cottonmouths are typically olive to black in color with large, dark crossbands across the body. The crossbands on the cottonmouth are […]
American Alligator
The American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is the largest reptile of North America. Adults may reach a maximum of 18 feet, though the average size is 13 feet for males and 10 feet for females. The larger males weigh as much as 500 pounds! Among reptiles, the courtship and mating behaviors of the alligator are unique. During courtship, […]
