FAQs Archive - Virginia Snake Removal

Q: Are black snakes in Virginia dangerous?

If you encounter a black snake in Virginia, it's most likely one of three snakes: The Northern black racer, the Eastern ratsnake, and the black Eastern hognose. All three are non-venomous, harmless and native to Virginia.

Q: Is it legal to kill snakes in VA?

It's illegal to kill snakes in Virginia unless there is an imminent threat to one's personal health and safety. Don't attempt to handle venomous snakes. If you don't approach the venomous snake to handle, remove, or kill the snake, you'll eliminate any chance of being bitten.

Q: How much venom is in a snake?

The amount of venom in a snake’s venom gland (measured as the amount extracted by milking) increases exponentially with the size of the snake and can range from 1 – 850mg (or more). In a study comparing snake venoms, researchers milked the largest amount of venom from an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake ( Crotalus adamanteus )--more than from any other species they studied.

Q: What are my chances of being bitten by a venomous snake in the U.S.?

Fewer than one in 37,500 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the U.S. each year (7-8,000 bites per year), and only one in 50 million people will die from snakebite (5-6 fatalities per year).