SC Distribution:Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont, Blue Ridge. 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 semi-aquatic and are dark brown, gray, or light brown in color with orange to yellow belly. There is also a spear-shaped mark on the top of the head, which points in the direction of the nose. They are tan, brown, or yellow with brown diamonds, which are surrounded by lighter-colored scales. Required fields are marked *. Common name:eastern copperhead, copperhead. Willson They are large and can grow up to 48 inches with large triangular heads and large jowls. They are large and vary in appearance depending on their geographical range. The best South Carolina snakes advice starts by saying yes they are dangerous snakes. As their name implies, Hognose snakes are identifiable by their stout bodies and upturned snout. The belly is pale to pinkish with two or more irregular half moons on each ventral scale. The picture shows the Eastern Milk Snake. In South Carolina, they live in heavily vegetated wetlands that tend to dry up periodically, which makes it home to an abundance of amphibians. They prefer to live near the water and can often be found hiding in beaver dams or muskrat houses. 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. There are 33 species represented in the state and all are harmless to people. SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains. If you find an injured snake, heres a list of wildlife rehabilitation experts that accept reptilian patients in South Carolina. Didn't find what you need? The banded water snake lives in the swamps, lakes, and rivers of Eastern South Carolina. Venomous: Yes, Scientific name: Crotalus horridus The underside of the tail lighter than the belly. Black and yellow rat snakes can be found in South Carolina where they live in hardwood forests, swamp margins, and river floodplains. They have narrow heads and eyes are positioned further forward on the head than other snakes. The juveniles look the same as adults, except they have bright yellow on the tip of their tail, which fades as they age. Here are ten additional types of black snakes in South Carolina. They live in a variety of aquatic habitats, including marshes, streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. They have a yellow belly which has two rows of dark spots and is very similar in appearance to the striped crayfish snake. They prefer areas such as marshes and swamps but are sometimes seen in ponds, slow rivers, lakes, ditches, and brackish water sources. 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. Some are gray with an orange or brown stripe down their backs. Length: 14 22 in (38 56 cm) While this species can be active all the time, youll see them out hunting most often at night. Its not uncommon for the milksnake to be confused with the venomous copperhead, except copperheads have an hourglass shape, rather than square or rounded patches. Many individuals may have light black flecks on the back and sides. Snakes play an integral role in the SC ecosystem, including reducing pest populations. VenomousLike many viperids,copperheads are fairly heavy bodied snake. WebHave you seen a snake in South Carolina and aren't sure if it's venomous? The explanation requires a few introductory remarks. Snakes are shy (and, many times, harmless) creatures that are more afraid of us than we are of them. Most commonly, this snake is yellowish-brown to gray with black chevrons segmenting their way down the dorsal side of 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. Just behind the head there is a pale ring that separates the dark color on the head from the neck. The best thing you can do if you encounter a wild snake is to admire it from a distance. Some individuals are plain, while others may have faint lines or blotches extending down the length of the body. The smooth earth snake from the Coastal Plains is smaller than those from the mountainous areas. They prefer forested habitats where there is ample ground cover, where they prefer to live underground, and are often encountered when lifting a log or debris. Cottonmouths, also known as water moccasins, are venomous heavy bodied snakes. Unfortunately, it is also venomous, so if youre bitten, you need to go to the emergency room for treatment. WebOutside suburban areas, these juvenile snakes face common enemies such as foxes and raccoons. 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 scales on the tail have a pattern that looks like a braided whip. Midland Water Snake The midland water snake hails from the northwestern area of South Carolina and tops out at 22 to 40 inches long when it reaches adulthood. They have tan to white bellies. The Eastern kingsnake from the Coastal Plain has wide bands and those from mountainous regions have thin bands, sometimes almost completely black in color. They enjoy a wide variety of habitats but are often encountered in open forests, wetlands, and river edges. Common name:scarlet snake. WebCommon Snakes in South Carolina . Common name:crayfish snake, glossy crayfish snake, glossy swampsnake, glossy water snake, striped water snake. Venomous: No, Scientific name: Cemophora coccinea Its dorsal coloration and pattern can be rather variable with colors ranging light brown to dark gray. Common name:worm snake. 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. Northern water snakes can grow up to 55 inches and are dark in color, which can range from brown to gray or tan. Weba tiny baby coiled grass snake (natrix natrix) sometimes called the ringed snake or water snake, is a eurasian non-venomous snake. The young copperhead snakes look just like the adults except for new hatchlings. They usually have a reddish or orange stripe going down the spine of the back. 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. These snakes will flee if approached and will very rarely stand their ground. The glossy crayfish snake is a highly aquatic snake that is medium in size, growing to 24 inches. The bad thing about this species is that their coloring is a lot like the cottonmouth and copperhead, two snakes that are poisonous. Ringnecks are small and slender snakes, growing up to 15 inches (38cm). These rattlesnakes give birth during the summer months, so if youre hiking trails or walking along the roads of South Carolina in the fall of the year, you need to be careful and watch out for this large predator. PetKeen.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. There is often a dark spot at the center of each ventral scale. They hide under logs and leaf litter feeding mostly on slugs and earthworms. Willson unless otherwise noted Description: Description: Eastern kingsnakes are large -- 36 48 in (90-122 cm) -- shiny-black, smooth-scaled snakes with white or yellow chain-link bands that cross the back and connect along the sides. Occasionally a sensational story of one on the beach makes headlines. Give your snake somewhere to hide when it wants to be alone or sleep. They have patterns that alternate yellow, black, white, and red. Older adults are usually solid brown to almost black in appearance. This species eats frogs, centipedes, and insects. Think logically. Please press the snakes button for additional snake pictures and information. They have large eyes with white under the chin and smooth scales. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Brown snakes are small brown snakes that can be reddish, yellow, or gray/brown in color. WebEastern Kingsnake ( Lampropeltis getula) Photos by J.D. They have a black and white checked pattern on the belly. They are long, thin snakes with a black body, and as the picture highlights, white chins. The snakes best known as Black racers inhabit most areas in the East from southern Maine to the Florida Keys. They live in the grasslands, timberlands, and plains of South Carolina. Most snake bites occur as a result of someone trying to kill, relocate, or harass a snake. They achieve lengths of 24-48 inches (61-122 cm) and have keeled scales. Both are tan to black in color with females being larger than the male. This species has the same natural predators as the other water snakes on our list. The Eastern indigo snake is a large black snake that is the longest snake native to the US. Central Florida crowned snakes are small snakes growing up to 9 inches. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus), The Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus), Mole Kingsnakes or Yellow-bellied Kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster), Eastern Ribbon Snakes (Thamnophis sauritus), Eastern Hognose snakes (Heterodon platirhinos), Southern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon simus), Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata), Scarlet Kingsnake (Lampropeltis elapsoides). If youve ever wondered how to tell venomous snakes from harmless snakes or how many types of venomous snakes there are in South Carolina, keep reading! Scientific name: Storeria occipitomaculata. In between these two populations individuals express an integrate between the two morphs. They will bite if cornered, which can be painful but is not considered dangerous or venomous. The following is a list of the 42 different varieties of snakes that may be found in South Carolina. Common name:cottonmouth, water moccasin, swamp moccasin, black moccasin, viper. They can be observed in scrub habitats and pine forests. The two lateral stripes of this snake are confined to rows three and four of the dorsal scales. A long slender snake that can reach adult sizes up to 60 inches (152cm). KikisConstrictors. 1. The last inch of their tail is a yellowish-green color, and that will fade as they shed their skin. The fact that venomous snake sighting happens so infrequently also testifies to the infrequency of snake bites. They are orange, red-brown, gray, or brown in color with square black margined red or brown blotches. Common name:timber rattlesnake, canebrake rattlesnake, banded rattlesnake. Rattlesnakes also live along the coastal areas. They live in dry sandy areas, flat woods, and pine woods, along with coastal dunes. Image by Dean Stavrides via inaturalist The Black Kingsnake (Lampropeltis nigra) is one of the most common species in certain Southeastern and Eastern states. Use the photo gallery to identify snakes that are common to SC, NC and GA. VENOMOUS Copperhead ( VENOMOUS ) Credit: J.D. Well uncover those answers and more and even see cool pictures of snakes in South Carolina. Scarlet snakes are small and slender snakes, growing to around 20 inches in length. Both have a solid black tail and black chevrons can be found on the back and sides which point to a V facing forward. 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). 5 Best Sources of Iron for Dogs (& How Much They Need Daily), 10 DIY Reptile Enclosures You Can Build Today (With Pictures). They are completely harmless to humans. These water snakes can be found in a range of aquatic habitats, but they prefer flowing water such as cypress creeks, rivers, and canals. Brown water snakes are large heavy-bodied semi-aquatic snakes that grow up to 60 inches. If approached, the snake drops into the water to escape. This fairly small aquatic snake reaches an average adult size of 10-15 inches (25-38cm). Whether youre on the water, in the swamps, or just reclining in your rocking chair on your front porch, snakes are out and about in South Carolinaespecially in the hot, humid summer season. Younger snakes show significantly more patterning with alternating dark brown and light brown cross bands going down the body, and a uniformly dark tail. The prairie kingsnake is very seldom observed. They have heavy bodies, large eyes, and short heads with a brown to green color that has three stripes that run the length of the body. Many individuals are tan to brown with dark blotches across back. If approached, they will hiss, vibrate their tail and strike, but they are not venomous. They have a light spot which can be seen on both sides of the neck and a white to yellow belly. Venomous:Yes, Scientific name: Agkistrodon piscivorus In this guide, well tell you about the poisonous snake species you should watch out for and several water snake species that arent poisonous. Nerodia erythrogaster. They are commonly observed near running waters, such as rivers and streams, though they sometimes live in lakes. This species can become aggressive, though they are usually reclusive if left alone. Southern 5. The Timber Rattlesnake, also known as a Canebrake Rattlesnake in some coastal potions of its range, is a large bodied pit viperwith an average adult size of 30-60 inches (76-152 cm). This is the opposite of the pattern found on the Copperhead. The complete list of all the different kinds of snakes in South Carolina is as follows. These colored bands extend around the whole snake, both dorsum and belly. They are mostly seen in the spring and fall. They are common around wetland margins. They are gray in color with an orange or yellow band around their neck and underside. It has a stout body and a broad head. Their belly is orange to yellow with dark spots down the center. 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. Copperhead snakes are most common in the forest areas throughout South Carolina. To identify the sixth and final venomous South Carolina snake the coral snake look for: Tan to brown body with triangular markings on both sides, Juveniles possess bright yellow tail tip used for caudal luring, Older individuals may appear solid brown or black, Triangular heads with dark lines through eyes (like a Zorro mask). Juveniles are typically tan on their whole body and may have irregular dark bands on the head and neck. They have square patches on their back and sides. Females are generally larger than males. This species doesnt have many predators due to its large size. However, they do all possess unique food capturing behaviors and reside in a plethora of habitats. Copperheads are venomous and large snakes, growing up to 37 inches. A small slender brown snake with keeled scales and a light brown to whitish belly. The scarlet snake is a small slender snake that is vibrantly colored. The Eastern Ratsnake has one of the most drastic variation in color and pattern across its geographic range of any snake. Colubridae is the largest family of snakes in the world, and is also the largest family in South Carolina. South Carolina is known well for residents southern drawl, their friendliness, the sweet tea, and the blisteringly hot summer days. Expert Tip: If you notice snake poop on your property, dont panic its free pest control! Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Venomous).
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