GREENVILLE, S.C. – How can you tell if a snake is venomous and non-venomous? Roper Mountain Science Center Natural Science Educator Tim Taylor shared some tips for identifying snakes in the area.
“We have about 30 [types of] snakes here in the Upstate, but only one, and I hope this will ease some of the fears of some of the people that are scared of snakes, only one common venomous snake and that is the Copperhead,” Taylor explained. “It has the hourglass shaped, or dumbbell shaped, markings. It’s a brightly-colored snake, and sometimes the markings look like Hershey Kisses on the body.”
While it is less common to see a Timber Rattlesnake in the Upstate, it is possible. Taylor said it is more common to see rattlesnakes north of Caesars Head State Park and in the North Carolina mountains.
“A non-venomous snake, if you notice, it might be hard, it has round pupils. It does not have a pit between the eye and nostril,” Taylor explained. “Venomous snakes do have catlike eyes instead of round pupils. Our pit vipers, like our Copperhead and Timber Rattlesnake, have a pit between their eye and their nostril, but the best way to identify snakes are by their colors and patterns, their characteristics.”
South Carolina is home to a diverse array of snake species, with 38 confirmed types according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Of these, only 6 are venomous which include the eastern copperhead cottonmouth eastern diamondback rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake, and eastern coral snake. Knowing how to identify these venomous snakes as well as being aware of the harmless species can help ensure safe encounters when out and about in South Carolina.
Venomous Snakes
The 6 venomous species belong to either the pit viper family which have heat sensing pits between their eyes and nostrils or the elapid family in the case of the eastern coral snake.
The copperhead and cottonmouth have thick bodies with keeled scales and a triangular head shape. The copperhead has an hourglass pattern while the cottonmouth has a more pixelated look.
The 3 rattlesnakes all have the signature rattle on the end of their tails and elliptical pupils. They come in various colors from yellowish to gray to almost black. The pygmy rattlesnake is the smallest while the eastern diamondback is the largest.
The eastern coral snake has vibrant red, yellow and black banding all the way around its body including the belly. The nose and face are black instead of red or yellow.
Water Snakes
South Carolina has 5 common water snake species from the Nerodia genus. These heavy bodied snakes frequent lakes, rivers, swamps and marshes. The banded water snake has dark crossbands that fade with age. The brown water snake has bold square blotches. The northern water snake has smaller blotches that sometimes merge into bands. The green water snake is dark as an adult. And the red-bellied is usually gray or brown with a distinctive red belly.
Harmless Snakes
Many small harmless species inhabit South Carolina such as worm snakes, ringneck snakes, crowned snakes, and brown snakes. Earth snakes blend into leaf litter while the red-bellied snake hides in woodlands. The glossy green rough green snake lives in trees.
Rat snakes come in black, yellow, and gray varieties reaching over 5 feet long. Coachwhips are long tan snakes with darker heads. Indigo snakes are all black. Kingsnakes and milk snakes have smooth scales and chainlink patterns. Pine and corn snakes have blotches and speckles.
Ribbon snakes and garter snakes have yellow stripes. Racers are solid black. And hognose snakes have upturned noses.
Coexisting with Snakes
Most snake bites happen when people try to kill or handle snakes. It’s best to just leave snakes alone and appreciate them from a distance. They play an important role as both predator and prey in the ecosystem. If you do encounter a venomous snake, retreat slowly and watch where you step.
South Carolina has a rich diversity of snake species, but only a few pose any real danger. Educating yourself on snake identification and behavior will allow you to confidently and safely share the outdoors with these fascinating reptiles. With some awareness and common sense, snakes don’t have to be feared, but can be appreciated as an important part of South Carolina’s natural heritage.
WHAT TO DO IF A SNAKE BITES YOU
Although all snakes have teeth, Taylor said snakes do not want to bite you.
“Snakes want to avoid people, they’re scared of people. So, if you just give them a chance to avoid. If you give them a chance to escape, they will,” Taylor explained. “If you come across a snake in the wild, just stay a safe distance away, leave it alone and it will leave you alone.”
If you are bitten by a snake, Taylor suggested seeking medical attention just to be safe.
“Very few people are killed by the bite of a venomous snake,” Taylor explained. “In fact, I don’t even know if in South Carolina anyone has died from the bite of a Copperhead. If you do get bit, which would very unlikely, getting a good photo, like from maybe 6-feet away, of the snake would be helpful.”
By getting a photo of the snake, medical professionals will be able to determine how to treat the bite. Taylor said venomous snakes can “dry bite,” which means it does not inject its venom.
Fun Fact: Snakes are venomous not poisonous. When a toxin is injected into you, that is venomous. When a toxin is absorbed, consumed or inhaled, that is poisonous.
TIPS FOR AVOIDING SNAKES
While it may not be possible to totally avoid snakes, especially is you’re outdoors, these tips may help:
- Understand where snakes hang out. Downed trees make great homes for snakes, so keep brush piles away from your home.
- Stay aware of your surroundings. Snakes are masters of camouflage. Because of this, they will probably know you’re there before you see them.
- Realize snakes do not want to interact with you. If you see a snake, give it space to get away. Do not approach it. Snakes usually only strike when provoked.
- Snakes cannot hear like human. Snakes do not have ears. They feel vibrations (and use their tongues to taste the air) instead of hearing. Having heavy foot steps can help alert snakes you’re in the area.
- While hiking, stay on the trail. Do you walk or put your hands where you cannot see. “If you stay on the trail, you’re less likely to run into a snake,” Taylor said. “If you’re having to step across a log, you just want to be more careful because sometimes that’s where a snake might hide or in a log pile or brush pile, or in the roots of a downed tree that might be sticking up.”
The good news? While Copperheads and even the occasional rattlesnake may be in the area, the majority of the snakes in the Upstate are harmless. If you do see a snake and need it removed, don’t call law enforcement. Instead, call animal services or another wildlife expert.
If you would like to learn more, plan a visit to the Roper Mountain Science Center.
“The best time for the public to come and see these snakes and get a chance to touch them and all these other animals that we have here is during the summer. It’s called Summer Adventure. You can check out our website ropermountain.org, and we are open after school Tuesday through Friday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.,” Taylor said.
Local SC Snakes – Venomous and Non-Venomous Snakes
FAQ
What is the most common snake in South Carolina?
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- Copperhead: Found throughout the state, they have hourglass-shaped markings and a coppery-tan color.
- Pigmy Rattlesnake: The smallest rattlesnake species, found across the state except in the mountain region.
- Timber Rattlesnake: Also known as the Canebrake Rattlesnake, they are durable and well-equipped for various terrains.
- Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake: The largest venomous snake in North America.
- Coral Snake: Recognizable by their bright red, yellow, black, and white markings.
- Copperhead: Found throughout the state, they have hourglass-shaped markings and a coppery-tan color.
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- Black Racer: High-energy snakes with excellent eyesight, often spotted in gardens and yards.
- Brown Snake: These smaller snakes are usually brown, but can have yellow, red, or gray-ish brown tints.
- Corn Snake: A constrictor with docile behavior and beautiful skin coloration.
- Eastern Garter Snake: Often erroneously called a “garden snake,” identifiable by three light stripes on its back and sides.
- Rough Green Snake: Bright green scales, blending with vines in trees.
- Rat Snake: Known for patrolling around houses and barns.
- Northern Water Snake: A large, light brown snake with dark brown/reddish bands and blotches.
- Eastern Kingsnake
- Eastern Hognose Snake
- Black Racer: High-energy snakes with excellent eyesight, often spotted in gardens and yards.
What is the venomous snake in South Carolina?
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Copperhead:The most common venomous snake in South Carolina, known for their coppery-tan color and hourglass-shaped markings.
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Cottonmouth/Water Moccasin:A highly aquatic snake, typically found in the sandhills and coastal plain regions, but not in the piedmont or mountain areas.
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Eastern Coral Snake:Identified by vivid red, yellow, and black bands, with the red bands always having smaller yellow bands on either side and never being connected to black bands.
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Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake:The largest venomous snake in North America, with a pattern of dark diamonds outlined in lighter scales on their back.
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Timber/Canebrake Rattlesnake:Found throughout South Carolina, with two forms: the mountain form (Timber Rattlesnake) and the piedmont-coastal form (Canebrake Rattlesnake).
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Pigmy Rattlesnake:The smallest of the rattlesnake species, with adults rarely exceeding a foot in length.
What month are snakes most active in South Carolina?
Although all are “cold blooded” and are most active in the warmer months (April thru October), there is also considerable variation in how they approach life.
What snake is mistaken for a copperhead?
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Appearance:
- Eastern Ratsnake: Juvenile Eastern Ratsnakes have a pattern of gray or brown blotches on a pale gray background, which can resemble the hourglass pattern of a copperhead. As they age, the pattern fades, and they become black.
- Copperhead: Copperheads have a distinctive hourglass pattern on their backs, with the bands starting on the sides of the snake.
- Eastern Ratsnake: Juvenile Eastern Ratsnakes have a pattern of gray or brown blotches on a pale gray background, which can resemble the hourglass pattern of a copperhead. As they age, the pattern fades, and they become black.
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Head Shape:
- Copperhead: Copperheads have a triangular-shaped head.
- Eastern Ratsnake: Eastern Ratsnakes have a rounded head.
- Copperhead: Copperheads have a triangular-shaped head.
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Pupils:
- Copperhead: Copperheads have vertically elliptical pupils.
- Eastern Ratsnake: Eastern Ratsnakes have round pupils.
- Copperhead: Copperheads have vertically elliptical pupils.
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Color:
- Copperhead: Copperheads have a coppery red to brown color.
- Eastern Ratsnake: Eastern Ratsnakes are grayish to brown with brown splotches.
- Copperhead: Copperheads have a coppery red to brown color.
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Other Lookalikes:
- Corn snakes and Northern water snakes are also sometimes mistaken for copperheads.
- Corn snakes: Have bright reddish color, light bandings across their bodies, and round pupils.
- Northern water snakes: Have dark blotches that are narrow on the sides, but get wider toward the backbone, and round pupils.
- Corn snakes and Northern water snakes are also sometimes mistaken for copperheads.
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Behavior:
- Copperhead: Copperheads are venomous and should be avoided.
- Eastern Ratsnake: Eastern Ratsnakes are non-venomous and harmless.
- Copperhead: Copperheads are venomous and should be avoided.
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Habitat:
- Copperhead: Copperheads are found state wide in Virginia.
- Eastern Ratsnake: Eastern Ratsnakes are found state wide in Virginia.
- Copperhead: Copperheads are found state wide in Virginia.
Are there venomous snakes in South Carolina?
There are 38 snake species in South Carolina, only six of which are venomous. Many snakes provide an important service keeping rodent and other pest populations under control. Some of our most commonly seen snakes are: The venomous species tend to be secretive and are less frequently encountered. All snakes are nonaggressive when left alone.
Are there black snakes in South Carolina?
All of South Carolina’s five water snake species are also occasionally black in color, as well as three of the venomous pit-vipers: the cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake, and Eastern diamondback rattlesnake. Here are ten additional types of black snakes in South Carolina. Rat Snakes in South Carolina can be yellow, black, or gray.
Where do snakes live in South Carolina?
Snakes are found throughout the Coastal Plain in South Carolina, where they prefer sandhills and sandy pine habitats. They can also be seen in oak forests, abandoned fields, and dry mountainous areas. They are excellent at burrowing and spend the majority of their time underground, surfacing from May to October.
Where do king snakes live in South Carolina?
Eastern Kingsnakes thrive in various habitats in South Carolina! Look for them in hardwood and pine forests, bottomlands, swamps, and wetlands, as well as farmlands and suburban areas. They are a terrestrial species but are often associated with water preferring riparian habitats along stream banks or marsh edges.
What is the cutest snake in South Carolina?
Their bright red or orange belly stands out from other species. This species is probably the “cutest” snake in South Carolina! Red-bellied Snakes are small, docile, and have a bright red belly, which makes them VERY easy to identify. Look for them under logs and leaf litter. They are also commonly found burrowed inside abandoned ant mounds.
What does a snake look like in South Carolina?
Stout body, broad head, and elliptical pupils. Coloration varies from pale tan to pinkish-tan with darker, splotchy, hourglass-shaped bands, which are darker at the edges. Look for these VENOMOUS snakes in South Carolina in deciduous forests and mixed woodlands, often near rocky outcroppings.