Reptile Guide 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. Think logically. Common name:eastern ribbon snake, common ribbon snake. VenomousCottonmouths, also known as water moccasins, are venomous heavy bodied snakes. Juveniles are similar in appearance to adults, but have a vibrant yellow tail. Common name:prairie kingsnake, yellow-bellied kingsnake. Females are larger than the male. Their body is a beautiful pattern of red, black, and yellow rings with a black nose. These and most other water snakes are said to make great pets. This snake is almost entirely black. Common name:Florida Green Watersnake, Eastern Green Watersnake. They can be observed throughout the Coastal Plain where they are found near lakes, rivers, swamps, and most commonly seen basking near the water source, soaking up the sun. Some predators, including birds of prey, foxes, and raccoons, rely on snakes as a source of food. If approached, the snake drops into the water to escape. Copperheads are venomous and large snakes, growing up to 37 inches. You may encounter one as it basks in the sun on a branch that hangs over the water. Both are tan to black in color with females being larger than the male. Among the 35 harmless non-venomous snakes, five species of Water Snakes (Nerodia spp.) Snakes In South Carolina This is a fairly thick bodied snake with keeled scales. Like other rat snakes, they too are known for climbing trees. They have large eyes with white under the chin and smooth scales. While they cant kill you, be careful, they have very sharp teeth and will bite in their own defense. Description: The red-bellied watersnake is easily identified by its unmarked, orange or reddish belly and unmarked, reddish brown to dark brown back. 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). Venomous As its name suggests, this venomous rattlesnake is small in size. The belly is yellow to white and patterned. The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is said to be the largest venomous snake in South Carolina. While this species can be active all the time, youll see them out hunting most often at night. Younger snakes show significantly more patterning with alternating dark brown and light brown cross bands going down the body, and a uniformly dark tail. Eastern worm snake Rattlesnakes also live along the coastal areas. This medium to large snake (20-48 in, 76-122 cm) almost always has some hints of reddish or orange in its pattern. They have distinctive coloring which fades from black on the head to tan on the body and almost white by the time it reaches the tail, some are completely tan. They are rarely observed outside the Coastal Plain where they live in a variety of habitats where they can hide under debris, rocks, logs, and leaf litter. They are agile and fast and will flee if approached. 12. Venomous: Yes, Scientific name: Carphophis amoenus. Pygmy Rattlesnakes (sometimes spelled Pigmy) live in the Coastal Plains Region of South Carolina. Reptile Guide is also a Chewy affiliate partner. The belly is pale to white in color with dark marking resembling a nearly-checkered pattern. In fact eleven different subspecies inhabit almost every state in the lower 48 states. They have a pointed snout with their red bands being wider than the other colors, which can help you differentiate them against the venomous coral snake. SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont, Blue Ridge. Snakes In South Carolina Eastern garter snakes grow up to 26 inches with three yellow stripes that run down their body. This small woodland snake has an average length of under 10 inches (25 cm). Good field guides with illustrations exist and some are cited below. Use the search! As the most common venomous snake in both North and South Carolina, copperheads can be found all over each state. An adult rat snake can grow up to 72 inches in length. WebMidland water snake: Nerodia sipedon sipedon: Northern water snake: Nerodia taxispilota: Brown water snake: Opheodrys aestivus: Rough green snake: Pituophis melanoleucus: Pine snake: Regina rigida rigida: Glossy crayfish snake: Regina septemvittata: Queen snake: Rhadinaea flavilata: Pine woods snake: Seminatrix pygaea paludis: Carolina This small snake is dark gray to black above and yellow to orange on the belly. They simply snatch their prey and swallow it quickly instead. Corn snakes are large 48 inches snakes that are slender in build. SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains. The belly is unmarked. If captured, they will bite, though some may hide their heads or go limp if captured. Common name:Eastern racer. Venomous: Yes, Scientific name: Sistrurus miliarius They are heavy bodies and large snakes with broad heads that have two lines on the face. The adult is brown to tan in color with a black chin and head and a black band on the neck. Two subspecies of milk snakes, the Eastern and Scarlet inhabit South Carolina. Scarlet kingsnakes are smaller than the milk snake, growing to 20 inches in length with beautiful coloration. Females are generally larger than males. Older specimens of water snakes can be difficult to identify because their bodies tend to turn darker with age, eliminating the usual physical identification clues. Length: 33 72 in (84 183 cm) Common name:Eastern diamondback rattlesnake. South Carolina Snakes document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Reptile.Guide is the preferred educational source on reptiles favored by experienced herptologists and new owners alike. They usually have a reddish or orange stripe going down the spine of the back. 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. The 11 Snake Species Found in South Carolina: 8 Snake Species Found in Georgia (With Pictures), 7. The majority of these snakes, even though considerably large, are not aggressive, even if you encounter them in their natural habitats. 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! They are found throughout the Coastal Plain in South Carolina where they prefer sandhills and sandy pine habitats, though they are sometimes seen in oak forests, abandoned fields, and dry mountainous areas. The two lateral stripes of this snake are confined to rows three and four of the dorsal scales. Reptile.Guide 2023 - All Rights Reserved, Join the discussion! They are light to dark brown and have dark brown square patches that run down the center of the dorsum with two lines that run in alternating arrows down the side of the body. In the event of any sighting, theres little doubt that someone would immediately post a picture on social media, and it would be the news of the day. These are small rattlesnakes that grow to around 22 inches. This species eats frogs, centipedes, and insects. They are semi-aquatic and are dark brown, gray, or light brown in color with orange to yellow belly. Though its very seldom fatal, the bite of a copperhead is poisonous, so you do need to seek medical treatment if bitten. They are not encountered very often, due to their secretive nature. The following is a list of the 42 different varieties of snakes that may be found in South Carolina. The head of this snake is black with pale yellow lip scales (labials) and there is a namesake yellow ring on the collar. These and most other water snakes are said to make great pets. WebOutside suburban areas, these juvenile snakes face common enemies such as foxes and raccoons. Many individuals are tan to brown with dark blotches across back. Kingsnake The scales are smooth and the underside is pale to yellow with dark mottling. They have a uniformly tan or light brown body with a darker brown head and neck. Two thinner stripes in the center of the belly, and two bolder stripes towards the outside of the ventral scales. The snake is ridged in appearance with keeled scales. The scarlet snake is a small slender snake that is vibrantly colored. to Identify a Baby Copperhead Snake WebCommon Snakes in South Carolina . While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Common name:striped crayfish snake, Allens snake, striped swamp snake, striped swampsnake, swamp snake. The picture shows the Eastern Milk Snake. These limbless creatures have fascinated herpetologist and naturalists for centuries. Venomous: No, Scientific name: Cemophora coccinea South Carolina is home to one species from this family. They are semi-aquatic and often seen on the edge of salt marshes, lakes, and bogs. WebStill look for Hershey kisses but they are more pixelated in appearance than the Hershey kisses on copperheads. They are nocturnal, and unlike the other water snakes on our list, they will travel for long distances by land to find another body of water. Scientific name: Agkistrodon contortrix Snake Species Found in South Carolina Common name:pygmy rattlesnake. They are tan to light brown in color and are patterned with a series of dark diamonds outlined in lighter scales going down the back of the snake. The red bands are almost always surrounded by the black bands and the front of the snakes head is red. Younger snakes show significantly more patterning with alternating dark brown and light brown cross bands going down the body, and a uniformly dark tail. Heat-sensing pits between the nostrils and eyes, Lack of red bands on the tail (only black and yellow), Black nose and face, as opposed to a red or yellow nose and face, Colored bands that wrap around the entire body, including the belly, Red bands that touch yellow bands, in comparison to red bands that touch black bands, Gray body with dark blotches (Gray Rat Snakes along the Savannah River), Solid black body with hint of white between scales (Black Rat Snakes mountains and Piedmont regions), Orangish-yellow body with four dark, lengthwise stripes (Yellow Rat Snakes along the coast), Remove any jewelry or clothing near the bite site, Call 911 and/or SC Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, If possible, mentally note or photograph the snakes physical appearance, Immediately have someone drive you to the nearest emergency room or wait for an ambulance. Adults are plain brown above with keeled scales and a contrasting reddish or yellowish belly coloration. SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont. Length: 18 30 in (46 76 cm) The underside is pink to reddish and The eyes of the snake are small and dark, and the tip of the tail is pointed. 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. They grow to 13 inches and have tiny dots on either side of the belly. Search our database of over 13528 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. This snake can be quite large with lengths up to 66 inches (168cm). 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. It can grow up to 84 inches and is black to blue in color, which includes the belly. Common name:timber rattlesnake, canebrake rattlesnake, banded rattlesnake. Eastern Worm Snake Scarlet Snake Black Racer Snake Ring-necked Snake The belly is lighter with some mottling. Snakes in Upstate South Carolina They have a white to light brown belly with black dots on each side. Even though they are venomous, fatalities are very rare. Blue Racers, for example are common around the Great Lakes region. The length of this snake can reach up to 80 inches (207cm). Expert Tip: If you notice snake poop on your property, dont panic its free pest control! The belly scales have some black on the edges. The average adult length is 22 40 inches (61- 107 cm). Didn't find what you need? However, they will still scare you, which youll want to keep an eye out for whether youre visiting the hiking trails, fishing in the swamps and rivers, or having a picnic on your back porch on a breezy spring evening. Required fields are marked *. The top of the head is darker than the ground color of the body and dark streaks on either side of the head. They have square patches on their back and sides. The Northern Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon), for example is the only mountain species. They are decorated with red, yellow and black bands going down their body. 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. Florida brown snakes are small gray to brown snakes with a light band across the neck and dark on the lip scales. The key identifying feature of this snake is the unmarked orange to red belly. Common name:eastern copperhead, copperhead. Juvenile redbellies look very different from the adults as they are boldly marked with series of dark crossbands on the neck and This small gray, tan, or brown snake is usually under 20 inches (51 cm) in length when full grown. The smooth earth snake from the Coastal Plains is smaller than those from the mountainous areas. - baby snakes stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images Baby death adder snake is put on display at Sydney Wildlife World March 8, 2007 in Sydney, Australia. In South Carolina there are 5 species from this family. This large stout snake is white, light gray, or tan in coloration with a series or dark blotches extending down most of the body. The older the snake, the more solid the color appears. This heavy-bodied snake can grow up to 60 inches in length. This species doesnt have many predators due to its large size. From above, the snake looks as if it has a series of red, black and yellow bands extending down the body. SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills. They are observed in the Coastal Plain and have progressed to the mountainous areas and the coast. The Eastern kingsnake is a large smooth scaled snake that is shiny black, growing up to 48 inches. The juveniles generally are light gray in color with dark blotches going down the back. Scientific name: Lampropeltis calligaster. These snakes are not venomous but will often mimic the actions of a venomous snake to scare away prey. 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. 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. 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. The chin is usually lighter in color. You can quickly identify a pit viper by recognizing all or more of the following characteristics: Of the five pit vipers, the three rattlesnake species usually also have a rattle at the end of their tail. They have orange or red-brown dorsal stripes with younger snakes having yellow at the tip of their tail, which fades as they age. This species dines on frogs, lizards, and small non-scale snakes. Snakes The underside is generally dark grey to black. Black swamp snakes are small and high aquatic. They are tan, brown, or yellow with brown diamonds, which are surrounded by lighter-colored scales. Baby Snakes Most snake bites occur as a result of someone trying to kill, relocate, or harass a snake. Eastern indigo snakes can be found in southern South Carolina. The belly scales are pale with two rows of distinct black half moon patterns. The males are larger than females. Color is a common name applied to many of the species as well as the Black Racer. However, these stripes can be conspicuous to nonexistent in some individuals, and can range in color from yellow to brown to blueish green. Baby However, the pattern on the water snake is always narrow on the sides and wide near the backbone. They have upturned snouts, which are pointed and are gray, tan, or red with dark brown patches down the center of the back and smaller patches on the sides. However, it is not a typical identification guide or field guide. They are large and vary in appearance depending on their geographical range. This is a small, un-patterned, brown snake with a narrow head, small black eyes, smooth shiny scales, and a pointed tail. Mud snakes are large non-venomous aquatic snakes that are very seldom observed, as they are so secretive. If you find an injured snake, heres a list of wildlife rehabilitation experts that accept reptilian patients in South Carolina.