A new Venomous Snakes exhibit will open at Maymont on Saturday, November 2. The exhibit in the Robins Nature & Visitor Center will house all three venomous species native to Virginia. Of the 35 snake species in Virginia, only these three are venomous:
Northern Copperhead:
Copperheads are the only venomous snakes that live within the Richmond city limits. The species is easily identified by the hourglass pattern along its body in shades of copper, brown, tan, orange and red.
Eastern Cottonmouth:
Also known as the water moccasin, the cottonmouth is the only semi-aquatic venomous snake in Virginia. The name originates from the white interior of the mouth which they use as a threat display.
Timber Rattlesnake:
Timber rattlesnakes can be found in the Blue Ridge Mountains as well as Southeast Virginia where they are called canebrake rattlesnakes. The coastal population is a state endangered species. The mountain population is not endangered.
“This is the first time we will have venomous species on display at the Nature Center,” said Buz Bireline, Maymont Director of Habitats and the Nature Center. “The goal of the new exhibit is to help our guests properly recognize these snakes and appreciate them and ultimately stop killing any snake.”
The cottonmouth and copperhead came from a rescue organization, Wildlife Response Inc. in Hampton Roads, Virginia. The cottonmouth was rescued in Virginia Beach, and the copperhead was rescued in Powhatan. The timber rattlesnake was born in captivity and came from the Luray Zoo in Luray,Virginia.
The new permanent exhibit will be open from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday through Sunday. Cost is included with Nature Center admission: $3 youth and adults ages 13-59; $2 children ages 4-12 and seniors ages 60+; free for Maymont members and children under 4 years old. For more information, call Maymont at 804-358-7166, ext. 310 or visit online at www.maymont.org.
Funding provided by The Richard and Caroline T. Gwathmey Memorial Trust.
Media Contact: Carla Murray,
Assistant Director of Marketing & Public Relations
804-358-7166, ext. 315
