Richmond VA Wildlife Information

Virginia Wildlife Commission: 804-367-0909

Virginia Game WardenIf you have any questions about the wildlife of Richmond, you can contact the Virginia Wildlife Commission, sometimes called the Virginia Fish & Wildlife Agency. Virginia game wardens address many wildlife management matters, from hunting licenses, to poaching, endangered species, and Richmond wildlife management. They deal with wild animals outside the range of a pest control company, such as cougars or bears. If you have a problem with nuisance wildlife in Richmond like squirrels, snakes, bats, or raccoons, the state agency is very unlikely to help. You need to hire a private company (here are their prices) such as Nice Wildlife Service at 804-621-7450.


I also have listed several sources for free Richmond wildlife help. One example, if you've found an injured animal or lost baby bird or other baby animal is the Richmond Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic: 804-378-2000 Or just read below for more info about the wild animals of Richmond.

Types of Wildlife and Animal Problems in Richmond, VA

Virginia State bird: Northern cardinal
State mammal: Virginia big-eared bat
State fish: Brook trout, striped bass
State insect: Tiger swallowtail butterfly

Virginia is a small be beautiful state bordering the Chesapeake Bay. The land is filled with bay tributaries, and the coastal plain extends back to rocky foothills which eventually turn into the Blue Ridge Mountains. The carbonate rock of the region is littered with over 4000 caves. And caves, as we all know, are fantastic homes for bats. Bats in Virginia are just above the non-hibernation line. The state does experience cold temperatures in the winter, and bats will have to migrate or go into hibernation. Because most caves remain at a consistent temperature even during the winter, hibernation is often the route of choice.

Predators in Virginia are large and rarely seen due to the thick forests and unpopulated mountain regions. Of these, the cougar is the most deadly toward other animals. Black bears are also present, but their diet consists mostly of berries and insects. If pressed to starvation, a black bear will hunt small mammals, sometimes going after nesting squirrels or the fawns of white-tailed deer. Coyotes are also present in the state, though packs are small and territorial. It is rare for these large predators to bother people, but if the weather is harsh, or a drought kills off too many food creatures, black bears, cougars, and coyotes will all move toward humans in hopes of an easy meal.

Large predators aren't the only opportunistic creatures. The state has a large number of deer, porcupines, hogs, skunks, opossums, squirrels, and woodchucks. There are also mink and long-tailed weasels. Bobcats are the mid-sized predator in this state, but the bobcat is almost more reclusive than the cougar, and is rarely-if ever-seen by people.

The abundance of fresh water in this state leading into Chesapeake Bay is perfect for the growing and proliferation of reptiles and amphibians. The state is loaded with a variety of snakes, including the black snake, rats snake, cottonmouth snake, coral snake, copperhead snake, and the kingsnake. These serpents are surrounded by a host of other reptiles. Turtles are numerous and grow to impressive size in Virginia.

With so much game around, birds, especially raptors are able to thrive. Virginia has golden eagles, a huge species of raptor that has a golden hue in the feathers at the nape of the neck. Golden eagles are mysterious and usually in isolated groups, making the difficult to observe and study.

If you need a professional wildlife trapper in Richmond, VA call Nice Wildlife Service: 804-621-7450

Richmond Raccoons:

This masked animal is fairly common in Richmond, VA. They frequently raid trash cans and steal pet food. They also often choose to live in the attic or chimney of your home. One of Virginia's beautiful animals, but often a nuisance. We offer Richmond raccoon removal.


Richmond Squirrels:

Squirrels are often a pest in Richmond. They love to live in an attic, and will chew on wood or electrical wires. They are agile creatures, and live throughout the state of Virginia. Call Nice Wildlife Service if you need squirrel removal in Richmond.


Richmond Opossum:

You may spot this animal in Richmond at night time, perhaps rooting through your garbage. This opportunistic animal will take your pet's food or live under your porch. The possum is a great Virginia survivor, and not all that ugly.


Richmond Snakes:

There are many species of snakes in Richmond, but few are venomous. If you need help identifying snakes of Virginia, browse this site or give us a call at 804-621-7450. We at Nice Wildlife Service can provide Richmond snake control any time you need us.


Richmond Rat Control:

The Norway Rat, Roof Rat, and House Mouse inhabit most areas of North America that people inhabit, including most Virginia cities. They contaminate food and love to live in the walls or attic of a home. Nice Wildlife Service can get rid of them once and for all.


Richmond Bats:

Bats are special animals, and found throughout Virginia. They are good creatures and eat a lot of insects, but if you have an infestation of bats in your home or building, you can give us a call for professional Richmond bat removal and control.


REPORT WILDLIFE ISSUES: (804) 646-5573

To report a dead animal on the road, an injured bird, a lost baby squirrel, a dangerous bear, or anything like that, call animal services at (804) 646-5573

If they can't help, call the Virginia Wildlife Commission at (804) 646-5573. You can also call your local sheriff department at (804) 646-5573 - they often deal with public wildlife issues.


We are experts with all kinds of VA wildlife and are familiar with the wild animals native to Richmond. If you need Richmond pigeon control, geese or other bird removal, we can help. We are experts with skunks and skunk problems, digging animals such as moles, armadillos, & groundhogs, and we offer Virginia beaver control and removal. Nice Wildlife Service also provides dead animal removal services. 804-621-7450

Virginia Professional Wildlife Removal Services, LLC is a one stop shop for all you nuisance wildlife solutions. To provide the highest level of quality and satisfaction, we do all of our own repairs and work in house. Nothing is subcontracted out, so we guarantee our work and treat your home as if it is our own. We are dual licensed for Pest Control and Wildlife Removal. In addition, we are certified by NWCOA and Wildlife Control Technologies, being compliant with all Virgina authorities. Our territories include most of East and Central Virginia, including the following areas Richmond areas: Atlee Beach, Bon Air, Centralia, Chester, Chesterfield, Disputanta, Enon, Ettrick, Fair Oaks, Glendale, Glen Allen, Highland Springs, Kingsland, Lakeside, Laurel, Matoaka, Montrose, Moseley, Mechanicsville, Midlothian, New Bohemia, Prince George, Short Pump, Soloman's Store, Sandston, Varina, and Winterpock. Plus Goochland: Centerville, Crozier, Fife, Hadensville, Manakin-Sabot, Maidens, Oilville, Sandy Hook, Shannon Hill


Richmond Wildlife Tip
Help! I've got opossums in my backyard!
Do you have opossums in backyard? Do you want to know how to get rid of them? The easiest solution in the world - take away their food source! It might seem more than a little obvious, but let's just take a look at the things that you might do every day to attract these creatures every day without even realizing it:
Leaving the lid off the garbage can, or not having the lid secured
Leaving pet food out
Throwing food out for "the birds"
All of the above things are great big welcome signs for your local wandering opossum, so by removing these factors, you are halfway to winning the battle and getting your yard back to yourself!

The garbage can, as just one example, is a restaurant to a wandering creature. One quick flip, and the lid is off and they are free to rummage through that entire leftover Sunday roast you threw away, and the scraps of vegetables etc. that weren't good enough for the family to eat. Opossums eat everything from fruit to leftover meat, worms to snails, insects to frogs - they will find food everywhere that they can.

Fruit trees and vegetables that you are growing can also be a problem when you have a visiting opossum, and although this can be harder to deal with, especially when you don't want to just remove them altogether from your yard, your local wildlife control expert will usually give you helpful hints and tips on how to resolve the pesky situation.
Richmond, VA Wildlife News Clip:
Wildlife - Nature in the City of Richmond

"These little places are islands surrounded by seas of inhospitable, heavily urbanized areas," says Squirrel and Snake Man as he climbs the overgrown path back to the parking lot at Laguna Honda Hospital. "It's unusable as habitat." Virginia has an abundance of wildlife, and Richmond is no exception.

The fragmentation of the city's nature is paralleled by a fragmentation of the jurisdictions responsible for this land. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Presidio, the Recreation and Park Department and other entities, like Laguna Honda Hospital, control different pieces of open space in the city. But the different resources, mandates and objectives of each make coordination difficult. Although several species of wildlife roam Richmond, only a few, such as raccoons and squirrels, are considered pest wildlife.

On top of that, the countless constituencies in the city -- ranging from nature lovers to Frisbee golf players to squirrel walkers to the homeless -- mean that the maintenance or restoration of natural areas in Richmond takes place on an ad hoc basis -- there's no coordinated effort; nobody's looking at this as an ecosystem. Remember to treat the wild animals of Richmond, Virginia, with respect.

Instead, naturalists like Squirrel and Snake Man and The Opossum Guy have formed an informal network that shares knowledge: where the last brush rabbit was spotted (Fort Funston), how to propagate native wetland plants, where the closest Richmond garter snakes are (not in Richmond -- they're by the airport), and whether the narrow fellows can be brought back to the city. Virginia has many reptiles, and it's important to be able to identify Richmond snake species and mammals.


Critter Problem at Your House? Hire Nice Wildlife Service
Wildlife removal is not a free service.

Richmond Wildlife ControlIf you have a Richmond wildlife problem and need help, call Nice Wildlife Service at 804-621-7450. They provide professional wildlife control for both residential & commercial customers in the city of Richmond. They offer custom Richmond wildlife control solutions for almost any type of wildlife problem, whether it be the noises of squirrels running through the attic, a colony of bats living in a building, or the destructive behavior of a raccoon, they have the experience and the tools to quickly and professionally solve your wild animal problem in Henrico County in Virginia. Check their prices, and for a consultation, give them a call at 804-621-7450


We can remove all types of nuisance wildlife with no harm to the animals and repair the animal damage. We can perform repairs that match the decor of the building damaged. From birds in vents to beavers destroying ponds and foliage, we solve the problem and guarantee it. Many animals use your house to keep warm during the cold months or raise their young, but they are well suited to live outside. Removal is what we do. Repair keeps them outside and the guarantee gives you piece of mind! Squirrel and raccoon specialists serving Richmond VA and surrounding areas such as Glen Allen , Short Pump, Sandston, Highland Springs, Tuckahoe, Chamberlayne, Dumbarton, East Highland Park, Innsbrook, Laurel, Wyndham, Montrose, and more.

You're still reading this page? We do not operate Richmond wildlife rescue, or a Richmond zoo or nature center, or Richmond wildlife sanctuary or refuge for volunteers. We are a privately owned nuisance wildlife removal service company. If you need a pro in Richmond to solve your problem for you, call Nice Wildlife Service: 804-621-7450 and they can help you with your Richmond wildlife problem.

Select Your Animal

RaccoonsRichmond Raccoon Removal Information

SquirrelsRichmond Squirrel Removal Information

OpossumRichmond Opossum Removal Information

SkunksRichmond Skunk Removal Information

RatsRichmond Rat Removal Information

MiceRichmond Mouse Removal Information

MolesRichmond Mole Removal Information

GroundhogRichmond Groundhog Removal Information

ArmadillosRichmond Armadillo Removal Information

BeaverRichmond Beaver Removal Information

FoxRichmond Fox Removal Information

CoyotesRichmond Coyote Removal Information

BirdsRichmond Bird Removal Information

BatsRichmond Bat Removal Information

SnakesRichmond Snake Removal Information

DeadRichmond Dead Animal Removal Information

ChipmunksRichmond Chipmunk Removal Information

VolesRichmond Vole Removal Information

DeerRichmond Deer Removal Information

Flying SquirrelRichmond Flying Squirrel Removal Information

GophersRichmond Gopher Removal Information

Prairie DogRichmond Prairie Dog Removal Information

Feral PigsRichmond Feral Pig Removal Information

AlligatorsRichmond Alligator Removal Information

IguanasRichmond Iguana Removal Information

MuskratsRichmond Muskrat Removal Information

NutriaRichmond Nutria Removal Information

OttersRichmond Otter Removal Information

PigeonsRichmond Pigeon Removal Information

GooseRichmond Goose Removal Information

Muscovy DuckRichmond Muscovy Duck Removal Information

StarlingsRichmond Starling Removal Information

WoodpeckerRichmond Woodpecker Removal Information

PorcupinesRichmond Porcupine Removal Information

RabbitsRichmond Rabbit Removal Information

WeaselsRichmond Weasel Removal Information

Stray DogsRichmond Stray Dog Removal Information

Stray CatsRichmond Stray Cat Removal Information

OthersOther Wildlife Species Information