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. SC Distribution: Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains. Belly is off-white near the head, becoming more checkered or mottled towards the tail, Juveniles have square-shaped blotches that may fade away completely, merge to form lengthwise stripes, or stay the same, Woodlands, wetlands, and suburban and urban habitats, Black head that gradually fades down the body into light tan or near-white at the tail, Juveniles are completely tan with irregular darker bands and white markings on and around the head, Sandhills, coastal areas, agricultural areas, and barrier islands, Bony, spine-like protuberance at tip of tail, Head is blunt and no wider than the neck, small eyes, and yellowish-orange chin, Solid black body with a checkerboard orangish-red belly pattern that fades up the sides, Anerythristic mud snakes that lack red coloration are semi-common belly is off-white instead of red, Juveniles pattern may extend all the way up the sides, creating a totally banded red-and-black appearance, Solid black body with white chin and dark gray or black belly, Juveniles are tan or gray with brown or reddish, rounded dorsal blotches that fade by the time the snake reaches 12 inches long, Varied, especially edge habitats and agricultural areas, Olive green, brown, gray, or black body with three faint darker lengthwise dorsal stripes and two lighter dorsal stripes on each side, Running water with abundant crayfish populations, the preferred prey of the queen snake, Red or pink belly with two or three rows of black spots, Highly iridescent black body with three red dorsal stripes, Bony, spine-like protrudence at tip of tail, Flowing fresh and brackish water habitats, Gray or black body with a distinct yellowish-orange belly and ring around the neck, Black body with white or yellowish chain-link crossbands that connect along the sides, Woodlands, aquatic habitats, agricultural and suburban areas, Glossy black body with distinct bright-red patternless belly, Yellow belly with two rows of black spots, Olive-green, dark brown, gray, or black body with or without two light lengthwise stripes. Copperhead snakes are most common in the forest areas throughout South Carolina. Explore the species list below and click on the description or photo to open a more detailed account. 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). Discover 38 Snakes Found In South Carolina (6 are Venomous!) Some are gray with an orange or brown stripe down their backs. 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. There are also pattern-less individuals that will be entirely black or grey in color. The scales are smooth and they have a hard, sharp spine at the end of their tail. Venomous This highly venomous snake is certainly one of the most vibrant and colorful snakes in the Southeastern United States. Leave a comment below now, quickly and accurately identify South Carolina snakes, the three rattlesnake species usually also have a rattle at the end of their tail, the cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake, and Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, posing a direct threat to you, your children, or your pets, Articles Similar to Our South Carolina Snake Identification Guide, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, California Snakes Species Identification Guide (Amateur-Friendly), Hawaii Snakes Identification Guide (a Complete Species Catalog), The Ultimate Bearded Dragon Care Guide for Beginners, Small Pet Turtles: 6 Tiny Babies to Melt Your Heart, Ball Python Care Sheet: First-Time Owners Guide (Updated), Leopard Gecko Care Sheet: New Owners Guide, Ball Python Morphs With Pictures: The 50 MOST Popular. Length: around 20 in (51 cm) The adults average in size from 7-10 inches (18-25cm). The natural predators of this species include raccoons, opossums, birds of prey, coyotes, and snapping turtles. The Eastern kingsnake is a large smooth scaled snake that is shiny black, growing up to 48 inches. They grow up to 10 inches (24.5cm) and have black spots on their backs and sides with a white to tan belly. 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. The dorsal scales are keeled and the snake has a rough, stiff appearance. As its name suggests, this venomous rattlesnake is small in size. 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). Members of this family are found in Africa, Asia, Eurasia, and the Americas. They are not dangerous to humans but may hiss and vibrate their tails if you corner them. 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. Dorsally this snake has three red lines running down a dark stout body. The underside of the tail lighter than the belly. These snakes are carnivores, so they prey on fish and small amphibians, mostly during the day. Snakes dont chase, attack, or hunt humans or pets. They reach three to 6 feet long and can weigh up to 10 pounds. They have tan to white bellies. The sides of the snake are usually yellow and the scales are smooth giving the snake has a glossy appearance. Juveniles have a distinct crossbar pattern on their dorsum. 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 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. Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. Length: 30 60 in (76 152 cm) Venomous: Yes, Scientific name: Sistrurus miliarius While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. They each possess a heat sensing organ inbetween their eyes and nostrils. This species can become aggressive, though they are usually reclusive if left alone. There is a dark line through the eye. The natural predators for this species include bass and other sports fish, raccoons, foxes, snapping turtles, and even hawks. The belly is pale to pinkish with two or more irregular half moons on each ventral scale. It grows to be between 24 to 42 inches and prefers frogs and fish for its food source. They can also be seen in open habitats, which include mountains and fields. This small and slender brown or grayish snake has smooth scales, an unmarked light brown to pale belly, and a small head. Their color can range from light gray to white or yellow with dark square patches on the back and side that lighten as they near the tail and darken as they near the head. Venomous: Yes, Scientific name: Crotalus horridus Contact the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control Center on1-888-426-4435 for advice on what to do if a suspected venomous snake bites your pet and seek immediate veterinary advice. Plain-bellied water snakes are large snakes growing to 48 inches (122cm). These snakes can be aggressive if threatened and will repeatedly bite while spraying a musk-like substance at their attacker. 13 Types of Angelfish for Freshwater Aquariums (With Pictures). If youd like to learn to quickly and accurately identify South Carolina snakes, including the common ones, the pretty ones, and the dangerous ones youve come to the right place! Many snakes provide an important service keeping rodent and other pest populations under control. Florida brown snakes are small gray to brown snakes with a light band across the neck and dark on the lip scales. Snake diversity in South Carolina is fairly high and page space limits the number of species that can be presented. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. They are large and can grow up to 48 inches with large triangular heads and large jowls. They are orange, red-brown, gray, or brown in color with square black margined red or brown blotches. 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. This heavy-bodied snake can grow up to 60 inches in length. They will freeze if encountered, trying to camouflage into their surroundings. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Venomous). They are tree-dwelling snakes and spend most of their time above the ground. The largest ever recorded was 8 feet in length. The Eastern Ratsnake has one of the most drastic variation in color and pattern across its geographic range of any snake. Their favorite prey is catfish, so they love to live in the larger rivers of South Carolina, which give them plenty to hunt. Please press the snakes button for additional snake pictures and information. This small snake is dark gray to black above and yellow to orange on the belly. They have white to yellow chain-linked bands across the back, connecting on the sides, which is why some people refer to them as chain kingsnakes. WebAccording to official resources, there are four different varieties of copperhead snakes to look out for: 1. Copperheads are venomous and large snakes, growing up to 37 inches. 3 South Carolina species in this family have rattles at the end of their tail. This fairly small aquatic snake reaches an average adult size of 10-15 inches (25-38cm). The picture shows the Eastern Milk Snake. This is one of the longest snakes in the Southeastern United States with adults reaching up over 72 inches (244cm) in length. 42 Snakes In South Carolina (Pictures & Identification) - ThePetEnthusiast Common name:striped crayfish snake, Allens snake, striped swamp snake, striped swampsnake, swamp snake. The timber or canebrake rattlesnake is a large snake with rattles on the end of the tail. Use the photo gallery to identify snakes that are common to SC, NC and GA. VENOMOUS Copperhead ( VENOMOUS ) Credit: J.D. They can be seen throughout the year and on sunny days, they will be basking on rocks and logs along the edge of the water. The banded water snake lives in the swamps, lakes, and rivers of Eastern South Carolina. They are a separate genera and fairly common in the Southeast. Their heads are small with a pointed snout. Well uncover those answers and more and even see cool pictures of snakes in South Carolina. The average adult length is 22 40 inches (61- 107 cm). They have a checkered belly that is done in black and white. They have a black and white checked pattern on the belly. The majority of these snakes, even though considerably large, are not aggressive, even if you encounter them in their natural habitats. The front of the head is black with a yellow band crossing just behind the eye. Humans need not worry, they are otherwise peaceful and nonvenomous snakes. They prefer areas such as marshes and swamps but are sometimes seen in ponds, slow rivers, lakes, ditches, and brackish water sources. These water snakes can be found in a range of aquatic habitats, but they prefer flowing water such as cypress creeks, rivers, and canals. 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. The Southeastern Crowned Snake is a small slender snake that usually measures under a foot in length. Juveniles are similar to adults, but with more of the belly pattern extending up on the sides of the body. The milk snake is restricted to the mountainous areas in northwest South Carolina, while the scarlet kingsnake is found in the sandy habitats of the Coastal Plain. WebEastern Kingsnake ( Lampropeltis getula) Photos by J.D. They prefer well-drained sandhills and are often found in longleaf pine and turkey oak scrub habitats. Their color can vary from light brown to black or red with dark crossbands. You can find a snake relocation professional in your area with this Free Snake Relocation Directory on Facebook. 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. Venomous: Yes, Scientific name: Micrurus fulvius 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. 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 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). Worm snakes are small 13 inches snakes that are brown in color with shiny and smooth scales. These snakes are not venomous but will often mimic the actions of a venomous snake to scare away prey. Tell us about your cold-blooded experience in the comment section below! The juveniles look the same as adults, except they have bright yellow on the tip of their tail, which fades as they age. Their belly is yellow, white, or pink with smooth scales. Everyone enjoys a snake story even if they do not enjoy a snake encounter. This species doesnt have many predators due to its large size. They have a light yellow to white belly and are very similar in appearance to the eastern ribbon snake. The young mud snake often lives in a seasonal wetland as a juvenile and moves to a permanent water source as it gets older. Many individuals are tan to brown with dark blotches across back. The picture shows a Cottonmouth snake or Water Moccasin. Probably Ticklish. Young are darker than the adults and have a light band on their neck, which fades as they age. The crossbands are wider on the center of the back and narrow as it reaches the sides. This is one of the most colorful and vibrant snakes in the Southeastern United States. Cottonmouth bites are not that common unless they are picked up or accidentally stepped on. 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. Venomous: No, Scientific name: Coluber constrictor They grow to 13 inches and have tiny dots on either side of the belly. 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. SC Distribution:Coastal Zone, Coastal Plains, Sandhills, Piedmont, Blue Ridge. The underside is pink to reddish and The eyes of the snake are small and dark, and the tip of the tail is pointed. The front of the head is black with a yellow band crossing just behind the eye. The pine snake is a large heavy-bodied snake that can grow to 66 inches in length. Pygmy Rattlesnakes (sometimes spelled Pigmy) live in the Coastal Plains Region of South Carolina. They prefer forested habitats and are common in woodlands or forests near wetlands and swamps. Oh You, Little Noodle. Unfortunately, this species also gets mistaken for a cottonmouth, though they are not venomous at all. These snakes will flee if approached and will very rarely stand their ground. Good field guides with illustrations exist and some are cited below. They are slender in light brown or tan with a black head, black of the neck, and chin. The coastal area golf courses popular with the tourist crowd also contain water areas that these snakes might call home. Their belly is white and has some dark spots on the sides. They are gray in color with an orange or yellow band around their neck and underside. They are decorated with red, yellow and black bands going down their body. Females are generally larger than males. It has alternating dark blotches on the back and sides. Even though their bite might not kill an adult human, it can pose very serious harm. Fun Fact: Many experts consider the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake the deadliest snake in the U.S. I find them to be one of our most docile species. Weba tiny baby coiled grass snake (natrix natrix) sometimes called the ringed snake or water snake, is a eurasian non-venomous snake. 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. Venomous: Yes, Scientific name: Carphophis amoenus. These colored bands extend around the whole snake, both dorsum and belly. They can be observed in scrub habitats and pine forests. 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. This is the largest species of Water Snake in North America and can reach 30 55 inches (76 140 cm) in length. Look for presence of dark stripe near eye. However, if youre new to the South Carolina scene, or even if youve been here all your life, there are a few snakes that youll need to watch out for, especially during the summer season. 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. Of those bites, very few (if any) result in the victims death. They are tan, brown, or yellow with brown diamonds, which are surrounded by lighter-colored scales. Most commonly, this snake is yellowish-brown to gray with black chevrons segmenting their way down the dorsal side of the body. These and most other water snakes are said to make great pets. Didn't find what you need? Common name:eastern hognose snake, spreading adder, deaf adder. Racers are noted for eating a diversity of smaller prey items, including smaller snakes, rodents, frogs, lizards and even small turtles. These secretive snakes are usually encountered when lifting a log or rock. They are agile and fast and will flee if approached. They are found in scattered locations in South Carolina where they live in pine flat woods, coastal dunes, and sandhills. Eastern Kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getula) generally have a black body with with a series of thin white bands down the back. 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. 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). Central Florida crowned snakes are small snakes growing up to 9 inches. Most of them are specially adapted to hunt and consume fish. WebHave you seen a snake in South Carolina and aren't sure if it's venomous? The northern water snake is found in the extreme northwestern parts of South Carolina, close to the border. Venomous: No, Scientific name: Diadophis punctatus An adult rat snake can grow up to 72 inches in length. Length: 30 48 in (76-122 cm) Their appearance is similar to a cottonmouth, which is a species they share a home with, so they do get mistaken for cottonmouths often. The red bands throughout most of the body are usually bordered by yellow bands. hroughout its range this snake has been observed in a variety of color tones. Ollie, originally from the USA, holds his master's degree in wildlife biology and moved to Australia to pursue his career and passion but has found a new love for working online and writing about animals of all types. 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. 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. Common name:pine woods snake, yellow-lipped snake, brown-headed snake. They may be seen crossing a road on a wet night. On the head, the Eastern Ribbon Snake has pale un-patterned lips and a white or yellowish spot just in front of the eyes. 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.

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