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Eastern Cottonmouth

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…

Eastern Glass Lizard

Eastern Glass Lizard State Threatened 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…

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Loggerhead Sea Turtle Federal Threatened State Threatened The Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) is one of the largest reptiles found on earth today. The fact that 1 out of 100 may survive to adulthood is remarkable. They have survived huge environmental events in their life…

Spotted Turtle

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…

Timber Rattlesnake

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….

Wood Turtle

Wood Turtle State Threatened 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…

Common Mudpuppy

Common Mudpuppy The common mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) is a medium sized aquatic salamander found in clear lakes and streams of the Tennessee River drainage in Virginia. Mudpuppies have large flat heads, and a short, paddle-like tail used for swimming. Coloration can range from a rusty…

Eastern Hellbender

Eastern Hellbender State Special Concern Federal Species of Concern The eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) is one of Virginia’s largest salamanders and can be found only in the western part of Virginia. They inhabit clear, fast flowing streams with many large, flat rocks that are…

Eastern Tiger Salamander

Eastern Tiger Salamander State Endangered The eastern tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum) is Virginia’s largest mole salamander. Mole salamanders spend most of their life underground and are not commonly observed. As adults, they may reach a total length of 12 inches. Tiger salamanders are described…

Greater Siren

Greater Siren The greater siren (Siren lacertina) is another fully aquatic salamander much like the mudpuppy salamander. It has external gills, as well as lungs which are used for drawing oxygen from the water and air respectively. Unlike the mudpuppy, sirens only have one pair…