Common Reptiles in Virginia

The eastern box turtle is one of the most common reptiles in Virginia.

Reptiles are found throughout Virginia, mainly in the forests and wetland areas that cover nearly every part of the state, including along the coast. Common reptiles include a variety of lizards, snakes and turtles. These reptiles are abundant due to their ability to live in a wide array of habitats, avoid predators skillfully and breed regularly.

Ground Skink

Ground skinks are found in nearly every habitat in Virginia, preferring open woodlands with an abundant ground covering of dead leaves. They wiggle their bodies to move through these leaves rather than using their tiny legs for propulsion. These small lizards grow between 3 and 5.5 inches long and usually have a coppery color with dark lines down the sides of their bodies. Some, however, range in coloration from golden brown to black. They feed on small invertebrates and are found under rocks and logs.

Northern Copperhead

The northern copperhead is a venomous snake found throughout the state, except in the barrier islands. This includes fields, forests and wetlands. They prefer areas with higher rock densities, because they use those rocks for covering. They also find shelter in abandoned buildings, brush piles and similar structures. They grow from 24 to 36 inches long and have a coppery-red, triangular head with an hourglass pattern on it. The rest of the body is light brown with dark brown and black marking along the back. These markings vary regionally.

Eastern Fence Lizard

Eastern fence lizards have rough scales and range in color from brown to black, most having a grayish color. During the breeding season, males have a bluish coloration on their underside. They are small, growing to about 4 to 7.25 inches in length, and live in trees. They are common throughout the state and the rest of the southeast United States, especially in open fields and forests. Fence lizards prey on a wide variety of invertebrates.

Eastern Box Turtle

The eastern box turtle is a common terrestrial turtle found throughout Virginia in forested areas. The top of this specie's shell is high and domed, while the bottom is hinged, allowing the turtle to fully withdraw into the shell for protection. These shells are brown to black and are marked with bright-colored patterns, orange to yellow in color and ranging in patterns. These turtles can live to be older than 100 years old and take between 10 and 20 years to reach sexual maturity. They are omnivorous and feed on various berries, vegetables bushes, insects and even amphibians.

References

• University of Georgia; Ground Skink
• Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; Northern Copperhead; 2011
• University of Georgia; Eastern Fence Lizard
• Department of Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries; Eastern Box Turtle; 2011

Resources

• Virginia Reptile Rescue; Homepage; 2011