South Carolina is home to an outstanding diversity of snakes. These limbless creatures have fascinated herpetologist and naturalists for centuries. With 39 species, snakes can be found in all of South Carolina’s habitats and landscapes. They fill unique niches and play integral roles as both predators and prey. Explore the species list below and click on the description or photo to open a more detailed account.
Black and brown snakes are very common in the United States and Canada While some of these snakes can be dangerous, most are harmless and prefer to avoid confrontation This article provides an overview of some of the most common black and brown snake species found in North America.
Venomous vs Nonvenomous
It’s important to know that not all black and brown snakes are venomous. Some of the most notorious include rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, and copperheads. However, there are many more nonvenomous species such as rat snakes, racers, and watersnakes. If you can’t positively identify a snake, it’s best to keep your distance.
Common Nonvenomous Species
Here are some of the most widespread nonvenomous black and brown snakes in North America
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Garter Snakes – Common small snakes with striped patterns. They come in a huge variety of colors and live in many different habitats.
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Gopher and Bull Snakes – Large powerful constrictors that kill prey by squeezing. They are adept at hunting rodents.
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Rat Snakes – Excellent climbers that raid bird nests for eggs and chicks. They come in black and brown color variations.
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Racers – Very fast snakes that can reach up to 7 feet long. Most are solid black or brown with lighter bellies.
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Watersnakes – Heavy-bodied snakes that inhabit marshes, lakes, and rivers. They eat fish, frogs, and crayfish.
Venomous Species
The main venomous black and brown snakes to watch out for include:
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Rattlesnakes – Have a distinct rattle on the tail that warns of their presence. Bites can be life-threatening.
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Copperheads – Have hourglass shaped bands down their bodies. Venom is relatively mild but still dangerous.
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Cottonmouths – Semi-aquatic pit vipers found in southeastern wetlands. Considered very dangerous.
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Coral Snakes – Venomous relatives of cobras with bright red, yellow and black rings. Rarely bite humans.
Identifying Features
There are a few key ways to distinguish venomous from nonvenomous black and brown snakes:
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Head shape – Venomous snakes like vipers have triangular heads. Nonvenomous snakes have narrow streamlined heads.
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Pupil shape – Venomous snakes have vertical slit pupils like cats. Nonvenomous have round pupils.
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Rattles – The presence of a rattle on the tail is a clear sign of a rattlesnake.
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Banding patterns – Copperheads and cottonmouths have distinctive hourglass or blocky bands down their bodies.
What To Do If You Encounter One
If you spot a black or brown snake, follow these tips:
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Don’t approach or try to touch it. Snakes only bite defensively when threatened.
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Note features like head shape and markings to help identify. Take photos from a safe distance if possible.
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Alert others in the area to avoid accidental bites. Small snakes can be hard to see.
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Leave nonvenomous snakes alone and they’ll retreat. Alert authorities if you suspect it’s venomous.
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Back away slowly if the snake rears up and hisses. This is a defensive posture so give it space.
In Summary
Black and brown snakes show incredible diversity across North America. While a healthy respect for potentially dangerous species is wise, most snakes want nothing to do with people. Learning to identify them, remaining calm, and keeping your distance is key to safely coexisting with these reptiles. With proper knowledge, black and brown snakes don’t need to be feared, even if they sometimes give us a scare!
Colubridae – Advanced Snakes
Colubridae is the largest family of snakes in the world, and is also the largest family in South Carolina. There are 33 species represented in the state and all are harmless to people. However, they do all possess unique food capturing behaviors and reside in a plethora of habitats.
This is a small, un-patterned, brown snake with a narrow head, small black eyes, smooth shiny scales, and a pointed tail. The ventral surface of this snake usually has a pinkish hue that extends up the sides on 1 – 2 rows of dorsal scales and can be seen when viewing this snake from above. The dorsal coloration can range from tan to dark brown and can often have an iridescent shimmer.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont, Blue Ridge
The scarlet snake is a small slender snake that is vibrantly colored. They have large red spots boarded by black that extend from one side of the snake to the other and separated by white or yellowish ground coloration. From above, the snake looks as if it has a series of red, black and yellow bands extending down the body. The top of the head is red and the underside is solid white in coloration.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont
A long slender snake that can reach adult sizes up to 60 inches (152cm). They are solid black above, have smooth scales and large eyes. The underside is generally dark grey to black. Some white may show on the underside of the head. Juveniles are grayish in color with brown to reddish blotches on the back.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont, Blue Ridge
A long slender brown snake that has a dark brown head that fades to light brown or tan coloration further down the body continuing to the tail. This is one of the longest snakes in the Southeastern United States with adults reaching up over 72 inches (244cm) in length. The dark edging to the smooth tan scales makes the snake resemble a braided whip which gives the snake its name. Juveniles are typically tan on their whole body and may have irregular dark bands on the head and neck.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont
This small snake is dark gray to black above and yellow to orange on the belly. There is often a dark spot at the center of each ventral scale. The head of this snake is black with pale yellow lip scales (labials) and there is a namesake yellow ring on the collar. Rarely will this snake exceed 10-15 inches (25 – 38cm) in length.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont, Blue Ridge
The Mud Snake is a long, fairly heavy-bodied snake that is mostly glossy black in coloration with a red checkerboard pattern on the belly that extends up to the sides. In some populations this belly coloration can be pink or white. The length of this snake can reach up to 80 inches (207cm). The scales are smooth and they have a hard, sharp spine at the end of their tail. Juveniles are similar to adults, but with more of the belly pattern extending up on the sides of the body.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills
Owning up to its name, the Rainbow Snake is one of the most colorful and beautiful snakes in the Southeastern United States. This snake can be quite large with lengths up to 66 inches (168cm). Dorsally this snake has three red lines running down a dark stout body. The sides of the snake are usually yellow and the scales are smooth giving the snake has a glossy appearance. The underside is pink to reddish and The eyes of the snake are small and dark, and the tip of the tail is pointed.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills
A small slender brown snake with keeled scales and a light brown to whitish belly. The head is generally darker brown than the body and some individuals, especially juveniles, may have a pale, light brown band on the neck. The adults average in size from 7-10 inches (18-25cm).
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont
As their name implies, “Hognose” snakes are identifiable by their stout bodies and upturned snout. The Eastern Hognose Snake can be incredibly variable in appearance across its range. Many individuals are tan to brown with dark blotches across back. Some individuals may have reddish or orange highlights incorporated in the pattern. There are also pattern-less individuals that will be entirely black or grey in color. The underside of the tail lighter than the belly.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont
Like other hognose snakes, this snake has a stout body, keeled scales and an upturned snout. They can reach up to two feet in length and are generally gray, light brown, or reddish in color with darker blotches going down the back and sides. The underside is pale to grayish and the underside of the tail is the same color as the belly (unlike the Eastern Hognose Snake– see similar species).
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills
Also known as a Mole Kingsnake, this medium sized snake (30 – 50 inches) has a light brown or orange body with a row of reddish-brown spots on the spine going down the length of the body. The scales are smooth and the underside is pale to yellow with dark mottling. Juveniles have a bit more distinct patterning compared to adults, and some older individuals may have little contrast in their patterning.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont
This is one of the most colorful and vibrant snakes in the Southeastern United States. Their body is a collection of red, black, and yellow/whitish bands. The red bands are almost always surrounded by the black bands and the front of the snakes head is red. These colored bands extend around the whole snake, both dorsum and belly. Adults average in size between 15-20 inches.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont, Blue Ridge
The Eastern Kingsnake is a long black snake with smooth scales and yellow/whitish chain-link markings extending down the back and connecting on the sides. Adults can reach lengths of up to five feet. The belly is dark with like the dorsum with pale blotches. Juveniles resemble adults in appearance.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont, Blue Ridge
This medium sized snake is quite variable across its range, but it is generally tan in color with darker brown or reddish blotches with black edges going down the body. There is usually a pale triangular patch at the base of the snakes heads head and the snakes belly is pale with black blotches. Juveniles resemble adults, but usually have redder patterning on the back.
SC Distribution: Piedmont, Blue Ridge
This fairly small aquatic snake reaches an average adult size of 10-15 inches (25-38cm). It has shiny black smooth scales above, dark eyes, and a deep red coloration on the belly. The belly scales have some black on the edges.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills
Also known as the Glossy Crayfish Snake, this is a medium sized shiny snake with a plain-brown to olive-brown dorsal coloration with faint dark stripes going down the length of the body. The dorsal scales are keeled and the snake has a rough, stiff appearance. The belly scales are pale with two rows of distinct black half moon patterns. This snake averages a size of 14 – 24 inches (36 – 61cm).
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills
A fairly large bodied snake achieving an average adult length between 30 – 48 inches (76 – 122 cm). Adults are plain brown above with keeled scales and a contrasting reddish or yellowish belly coloration. The belly is unmarked.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont
Often referred to as the Banded Water Snake, this snake is recognized by unbroken brown to reddish cross bands extending down the length of their dark brown body. They have dark markings on the edges of their upper lip (labial) scales and have a dark stripe extending from the back of the eye to the base of the jaw. The belly of this snake is pale with square or triangular reddish blotches on the edges. This is a fairly thick bodied snake with keeled scales. The average adult length is 22 – 40 inches (61- 107 cm).
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills
Adults are large, heavy bodied snakes and have a uniformly greenish brown dorsum with a pale whitish unmarked belly. This is the largest species of Water Snake in North America and can reach 30 – 55 inches (76 – 140 cm) in length. Females are generally larger than males. Juveniles have a distinct crossbar pattern on their dorsum. All individuals have keeled dorsal scales and subocular scales separating the eye from the upper lip (labial) scales.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains
Adult Northern Watersnakes have keeled scales and are generally tan to dark brown in coloration with deeper brown or reddish square blotches on the back and sides. These blotches appear as full bands towards the front of the body, and become more distinctly separate and alternate towards the back of the body. The belly is pale to pinkish with two or more irregular half moons on each ventral scale. Adults average in size from 24-55 inches (61-140cm) and juveniles are more vibrantly patterned than adults.
SC Distribution: Piedmont, Blue Ridge
This large snake (30-60 in, 76-152 cm) has keeled scales and is dark brown in coloration. It has alternating dark blotches on the back and sides. The belly is lighter with some mottling. They have narrow heads and eyes are positioned further forward on the head than other snakes.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont
A medium sized (24 – 35 inches), very slender snake that is green on the dorsum with a yellow to whitish belly. They possess large eyes and keeled scales. Juveniles closely resemble adults in appearance.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont
This medium to large snake (20-48 in, 76-122 cm) almost always has some hints of reddish or orange in its pattern. Their body color can be orange, brown or gray, and they have a series of orange, reddish or brown square blotches outlined in black going down their back. The sides have alternating smaller blotches. The top of the head has a spear shaped blotch with the tip of the point meeting between, or just behind the eyes. The belly is pale to white in color with dark marking resembling a nearly-checkered pattern.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont, Blue Ridge
The Eastern Ratsnake has one of the most drastic variation in color and pattern across its geographic range of any snake. Adult individuals found in the north and west tend to have an all black dorsum, while coastal and southern populations are green or yellow in coloration with four black stripes extending down the entire body. In between these two populations individuals express an integrate between the two morphs. The juveniles generally are light gray in color with dark blotches going down the back.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont, Blue Ridge
This large stout snake is white, light gray, or tan in coloration with a series or dark blotches extending down most of the body. These blotches are typically darker near the head, and fainter on the tail end. The adult size of this snake is generally between 50 – 60 inches (127 – 152 cm), but can be up to 90 inches long (228 cm) They have a relatively small head with four prefrontal scales (scales on the top of the head in front of the eyes and behind internasal scales).
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont
A medium sized aquatic snake, brownish to olive green in coloration, with a yellow stripe situated on the either side of the lower body, and three faint narrow dark stripes running down the back. The snake is ridged in appearance with keeled scales. The belly is pale yellowish with four brown stripes extending down the length of the body. Two thinner stripes in the center of the belly, and two bolder stripes towards the outside of the ventral scales.
SC Distribution: Piedmont, Blue Ridge
This is a small slender snake has scales that are smooth and the dorsal coloration varies from a golden brown to a light reddish brown, while the ventral scales are a paler brown. The top of the head is a darker than the body and a key identifier of this snake is the dark strip on the face passing through the eye. This snake is also known as the “Yellow-lipped snake”, named after the pale to yellowish lip (labial) scales– though there is significant variation in this trait across its range.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills
This small gray, tan, or brown snake is usually under 20 inches (51 cm) in length when full grown. The top of the head is darker than the ground color of the body and dark streaks on either side of the head. Most individuals have two rows of dark spots going down the length of the body. The belly is pale with some dark speckling.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont
This small woodland snake has an average length of under 10 inches (25 cm). Its dorsal coloration and pattern can be rather variable with colors ranging light brown to dark gray. The head is often darker in color than the body and many individuals have a faint light brown ring, or light brown spots, just behind the head. Some individuals are plain, while others may have faint lines or blotches extending down the length of the body. The key identifying feature of this snake is the unmarked orange to red belly.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont, Blue Ridge
The Southeastern Crowned Snake is a small slender snake that usually measures under a foot in length. They have a uniformly tan or light brown body with a darker brown head and neck. Just behind the head there is a pale ring that separates the dark color on the head from the neck. The belly is yellow to white and patterned.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont
A small to medium sized slender snake with keeled scales and three bright stripes extending down the length of the dark brown to black dorsum. The two lateral stripes of this snake are confined to rows three and four of the dorsal scales. On the head, the Eastern Ribbon Snake has pale un-patterned lips and a white or yellowish spot just in front of the eyes. The typical adult size is between 18 – 26 inches (46 – 66 cm) and females are generally larger than males.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont
A medium sized snake that is extremely variable in appearance. It typically has three pale yellowish stripes extending down the length of the dorsum. However, these stripes can be conspicuous to nonexistent in some individuals, and can range in color from yellow to brown to blueish green. The Dorsal ground color is dark, but can also range in color from black to olive green. The dorsum may have a series of dark spots and in some variations these spots may be more prominent than the dorsal stripes.
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont, Blue Ridge
This small and slender brown or grayish snake has smooth scales, an unmarked light brown to pale belly, and a small head. Many individuals may have light black flecks on the back and sides. Adults average in size from 7-10 inches (18-25cm).
SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont, Blue Ridge
Eastern Brown Snake jumps into the air
FAQ
What kind of snake is brown with black markings?
Northern Brown Snake
Northern brown snakes are typically light to dark brown with small, dark spots and a lighter underside. They primarily feed on earthworms, slugs and other small invertebrates, playing a crucial role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystems.
What are the odds of surviving a Eastern brown snake bite?
Without medical treatment, bites can be fatal. As this species tends to initiate their defence with non-fatal bites, the untreated mortality rate in most snakebite cases reported is 10–20%, which is not very high.
What do you do if you see a black snake in your yard?
Leave the snake alone. Identify it by species. Continue to leave it alone so long as it is not venomous and not inside a house or building.
Is a brown snake a black snake?
Well, as the name suggests, they’re often brown, but it is actually even a little bit of a misnomer. They can be black, they can be orange, they can be banded. The classical Eastern brown snake though is a uniform brown colour, especially as an adult underneath on the belly.
Are black and brown snakes common in North America?
Black and brown snakes are common in North America. These snakes can be black-dominant or brown-dominant. Some snakes are gray, olive, or tan with black or brown patterns. These patterns can be blotches, stripes, spots, H-shapes, or diamond shapes. Snakes of this color combination are often morphs of some of the most common species.
Are black and brown snakes venomous?
Venomous black and brown snake examples include the feared Cottonmouth or multiple species of rattlesnakes. The venom of these species is so potent that hospitalization is needed when bitten. Most black and brown snakes aren’t venomous, on the other hand. These snakes prefer to avoid biting, as most other species in the US.