They are found in the coastal Plain and in a variety of aquatic habitats including bays, sphagnum bogs, ponds, lakes, ditches, and saw grass prairies. Northern 2. Five of South Carolinas six venomous snakes are pit vipers. 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. Whipsnakes (Masticophis flagellum) rank as the most common species, with subspecies living in states from Florida, west to California. The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is the largest venomous snake in North America. The picture shows a Cottonmouth snake or Water Moccasin. The head of this snake is black with pale yellow lip scales (labials) and there is a namesake yellow ring on the collar. one individual has been recorded at 96 inches, Differences between corn snakes and milk snakes, 27 Contrasting Red and Black Birds (with Pictures), 24 Birds With Blue Eyes (Pictures and Identification), 40 Birds With Red Eyes of The World (with Pictures), 22 Fish With a Big Forehead (with Pictures). However, of the 41 snake species native to Georgia and South Carolina, only six are venomous all others are completely harmless. Baby Snake Pictures That Will Help Everyone enjoys a snake story even if they do not enjoy a snake encounter. The dorsal scales are keeled and the snake has a rough, stiff appearance. Females are larger than the male. They are not encountered very often, due to their secretive nature. Like many viperids,copperheads are fairly heavy bodied snake. They are common around wetland margins. Common name:eastern copperhead, copperhead. The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is said to be the largest venomous snake in South Carolina. This small woodland snake has an average length of under 10 inches (25 cm). They are gray in color with an orange or yellow band around their neck and underside. The southern hognose is a small snake with a heavy body that can grow up to 24 inches in length. 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. They are decorated with red, yellow and black bands going down their body. Of those bites, very few (if any) result in the victims death. They have tan to white bellies. Water Snakes are often mistaken for Copperheads because some Water Snakes colors are similar to those of the Copperhead. In South Carolina there are 5 species from this family. They are semi-aquatic and are dark brown, gray, or light brown in color with orange to yellow belly. The juveniles look the same as adults, except they have bright yellow on the tip of their tail, which fades as they age. Brown water snakes are some of the largest snakes in South Carolina, growing to between 30 and 60 inches as they mature into adulthood. This snake can be quite large with lengths up to 66 inches (168cm). Common name:eastern ribbon snake, common ribbon snake. 5 Best Sources of Iron for Dogs (& How Much They Need Daily), 10 DIY Reptile Enclosures You Can Build Today (With Pictures). The Eastern Hognose Snake can be incredibly variable in appearance across its range. Common name:crayfish snake, glossy crayfish snake, glossy swampsnake, glossy water snake, striped water snake. As their name implies, Hognose snakes are identifiable by their stout bodies and upturned snout. Return to SC Reptiles & Amphibians Index. However, its range does extend to the western piedmont area. While the ranges are not perfect, usually the milksnake is more common the the mountains and the Scarlet Milk Snake inhabits most of the Piedmont and Coastal areas. Watch out for signs of infection. These secretive snakes are usually encountered when lifting a log or rock. Most snake bites occur as a result of someone trying to kill, relocate, or harass a snake. 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. This concludes our guide on the 11 snake species in South Carolina. The scales on the tail have a pattern that looks like a braided whip. The majority of these snakes, even though considerably large, are not aggressive, even if you encounter them in their natural habitats. Juveniles have a distinct crossbar pattern on their dorsum. Owning up to its name, the Rainbow Snake is one of the most colorful and beautiful snakes in the Southeastern United States. If youre bitten by a cottonmouth, its critical to get treated right away. The Dorsal ground color is dark, but can also range in color from black to olive green. 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). Give your snake somewhere to hide when it wants to be alone or sleep. Red-bellied Watersnake Some white may show on the underside of the head. They all belong to the Nerodia genus. Among the 35 harmless non-venomous snakes, five species of Water Snakes (Nerodia spp.) This is the opposite of the pattern found on the Copperhead. Venomous: No, Scientific name: Coluber constrictor Many tourists might cross paths with the Yellow ratsnake. South Carolina is home to an outstanding diversity of snakes. Their body is a beautiful pattern of red, black, and yellow rings with a black nose. They live in dry sandy areas, flat woods, and pine woods, along with coastal dunes. Length: up to 60 in (152 cm) 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. All of South Carolinas 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. Reptile.Guide is not a veterinary website, nor should any of the reptile health information on our site replace the advice of a certified veterinary professional. There are 38 snake species in South Carolina, only six of which are venomous. Search our database of over 13528 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. Rarely will this snake exceed 10-15 inches (25 38cm) in length. Venomous The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is the largest venomous snake in North America. When most people in South Carolina think of a water snake, the cottonmouth, also called the water moccasin, is what instantly comes to mind. Length: 10 15 in (25 38 cm) pigeones. 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. Explore the species list below and click on the description or photo to open a more detailed account. They grow up to 10 inches (24.5cm) and have black spots on their backs and sides with a white to tan belly. There are also pattern-less individuals that will be entirely black or grey in color. Common name:black swamp snake, mud snake, red-bellied mud snake, swamp snake. Their large Triangular shaped copper-colored head gives them their common name. Northern water snakes can grow up to 55 inches and are dark in color, which can range from brown to gray or tan. Just like regular water snakes, this species feeds on fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Body is banded in bright red, yellow, and black red and yellow rings typically touch, Triangular head with colored bars that run from the eye to the base of the mouth on either side, Gray, tan, lavender, orange, or red body with a row of darker dorsal spots, a red or brown dorsal stripe, and one or two rows of faded lateral spots on either side, Woodlands, sandhill habitats, and near water sources, Triangular head with two light lines on either side of face, Gray, brown, dark yellow, or black body with black chevron dorsal and lateral markings, with the point of the (V) pointing forward, Rural farmlands, woodlands, and high ground near water sources, Brown, tan, or yellow body with darker diamond-shaped dorsal markings that are bordered in yellow or off-white. If youre interested in identifying more of North Americas native reptiles, have a look at our: You can also check out our other articles on snakes we have comprehensive guides to learn from! They are variable in color but have an upturned snout, which helps with identification. The belly is pale with some dark speckling. The adult is brown to tan in color with a black chin and head and a black band on the neck. In the south, this snake is mostly nocturnal during the hot summer months but active during the day in the cooler spring and fall season. The average adult length is 22 40 inches (61- 107 cm). They are beautiful snakes with three red stripes that run down their backs. An adult rat snake can grow up to 72 inches in length. So while there are 38 species of snakes in South Carolina, there are 45 types of snakes when including these subspecies as well! Cottonmouths, also known as water moccasins, are venomous heavy bodied snakes. They have large eyes, short heads, and heavy bodies that are a shiny olive to brown with two light stripes that run down the length of the body. List of snakes of South Carolina They grow up to 13 inches and have two rows of dark spots on the back with a dark streak that runs down the side of the head. They are slender in light brown or tan with a black head, black of the neck, and chin. Juveniles are typically tan on their whole body and may have irregular dark bands on the head and neck. Pet Keen is reader-supported. The venomous coral snake is a medium and slender snake, growing up to 30 inches in length with smooth scales. With hundreds of articles on everything pertaining to lizards, turtles, and snakes, our experienced team provides reliable and accurate content you can trust. Color is a common name applied to many of the species as well as the Black Racer. Venomous: No. There is a dark line through the eye. Brown snakes are small brown snakes that can be reddish, yellow, or gray/brown in color. The dorsal coloration can range from tan to dark brown and can often have an iridescent shimmer. All three subspecies are adapted to human living environments, and can often be found in residential areas climbing trees. The dark edging to the smooth tan scales makes the snake resemble a braided whip which gives the snake its name. They can be observed in scrub habitats and pine forests. The chin is usually lighter in color. They are large and can grow up to 48 inches with large triangular heads and large jowls. Older individuals may appear solid olive-green, brown, orange, or black, Green-brown or reddish-brown body with plain, pale belly and dark, irregular dorsal and lateral bars (not to be confused with Diamondback Water Snakes), Still bodies of water with heavy aquatic vegetation, Off-white belly with brown splotches and black crescents, Light to dark brown body with large, dark, square blotches one row dorsally one alternating row on each side, Compared to other local water snakes, head is more narrow, and eyes are positioned closer to the nose and the top of the head, Light brown, reddish, or black body with darker bands, Pattern fades with age; older individuals may appear solid black, brown, or red, Brown, tan, or gray body with a single row of black dorsal blotches and alternating rows of smaller lateral blotches on each side, Solid brown or gray body with solid, bright orange or red belly, Juveniles have alternating dorsal and lateral blotches that fade with age. Adults can grow to around 72 inches, though one individual has been recorded at 96 inches (244cm). Many of the subspecies have different color patterns from red to yellow to brown to dark to tan. The snake is ridged in appearance with keeled scales. The sides of the snake are usually yellow and the scales are smooth giving the snake has a glossy appearance. They can grow up to 32 inches in length and are bright green, which helps you identify them in South Carolina. Snakes of South Carolina Please press the snakes button for additional snake pictures and information. This small gray, tan, or brown snake is usually under 20 inches (51 cm) in length when full grown. It grows to be between 24 to 42 inches and prefers frogs and fish for its food source. Colubridae is the largest family of snakes in the world, and is also the largest family in South Carolina. The explanation requires a few introductory remarks. Nerodia erythrogaster. They have a bright orange to red underside, which helps you distinguish them from other small woodland snakes in the area. Common name:eastern copperhead, copperhead. KikisConstrictors. For identification purposes, the Scarletsnake (Cemophora coccinea) also gets into the conversation because as the picture shows, it looks very similar to a Milksnake or Kingsnake. WebRainbow Snake Ficimia streckeri [popup] Mexican Hooknose Snake Gyalopion canum [popup] Western Hooknose Snake Gyalopion quadrangularis [popup] Desert Hooknose Snake Heterodon nasicus [popup] Dusty Hognose Snake Heterodon platirhinos [popup] Dark Eastern Hognose Snake Heterodon platirhinos [popup] Normal Eastern Hognose They can grow up to 81 inches and are heavy bodies with black on their backs. Southern 5. If youre new to South Carolina, you need to learn them well. They are glossy black in color with a bright red belly. Image by Dean Stavrides via inaturalist The Black Kingsnake (Lampropeltis nigra) is one of the most common species in certain Southeastern and Eastern states. They can be encountered in the mountainous areas of northwest South Carolina and throughout the Coastal Plain. Scarlet snakes are small and slender snakes, growing to around 20 inches in length. These snakes can be found in the mountains and Coastal Plain in South Carolina. This species doesnt have many predators due to its large size. There is also a spear-shaped mark on the top of the head, which points in the direction of the nose. They may be seen crossing a road on a wet night. They are observed in the Coastal Plain and have progressed to the mountainous areas and the coast. This highly venomous snake is certainly one of the most vibrant and colorful snakes in the Southeastern United States. They have orange or red-brown dorsal stripes with younger snakes having yellow at the tip of their tail, which fades as they age. With 39 species, snakes can be found in all of South Carolinas habitats and landscapes. They have alternating bands of yellow, black, and red where the red touches the black but does not touch the yellow bands. They can be encountered throughout South Carolina in woodlands, farmland, and coastal areas. This is a fairly thick bodied snake with keeled scales. It hasshiny black smooth scales above, dark eyes, and a deep red coloration on the belly. The belly is black or dark gray. They have keeled scales, a stout gray, tan or pinkish body, and irregular shaped dark blotches going down the back. SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont, Blue Ridge. Milksnakes are mid-sized snakes growing to 35 inches and have a Y shape on the base of the head. Snakes A medium sized snake that is extremely variable in appearance. Timber rattlesnakes are usually more yellow or brown with some being black. The coastal area golf courses popular with the tourist crowd also contain water areas that these snakes might call home.