South Carolina Snakes Identification Guide (Must-Know Info!)

If you’d like to learn to quickly and accurately identify South Carolina snakes, including the common ones, the pretty ones, and the dangerous ones – you’ve come to the right place!

If you’ve ever wondered how to tell venomous snakes from harmless snakes or how many types of venomous snakes there are in South Carolina, keep reading!

We’ll uncover those answers and more – and even see cool pictures of snakes in South Carolina.

In This Article

In Short

Give wild snakes a wide berth if you encounter them.
There are 38 species of South Carolina snakes, only 6 of which are venomous.
Most snake bites occur as a result of someone trying to kill, relocate, or harass a snake.
Snakes play an integral role in the SC ecosystem, including reducing pest populations.

Snake Identification Basics

Scarlet Snake on top of dead twigs — Note the red nose and face of this non-venomous Scarlet Snake (Cemophora coccinea).
Image credit: Todd W Pierson via Creativecommons.org.

This guide is only for South Carolina snake identification.

Some key features to look for when attempting to identify a wild snake:

Scales – are they keeled or smooth?
Length – is the snake long or short?
Pupil Shape – are they round or elliptical?
Body Shape – is the snake slender or stout?
Color and Pattern – most species have a wide range of “normal”, but if you can differentiate splotches from bands, you’re off to a great start.
Unique Characteristics – are there any distinctive features, like the buggy eyes of the glossy crayfish snake?

Venomous Species in South Carolina

South Carolina is home to six venomous snakes.

How to Quickly Identify Venomous Snakes

Western diamondback rattlesnake with tongue out — This photo of an albino Diamondback Rattlesnake clearly shows the location of their heat-sensing pits and the shape of their elliptical pupils.

Five of South Carolina’s six venomous snakes are pit vipers. You can quickly identify a pit viper by recognizing all or more of the following characteristics:

Elliptical, cat-like pupils
Broad, triangular heads
Heat-sensing pits between the nostrils and eyes

Of the five pit vipers, the three rattlesnake species usually also have a rattle at the end of their tail.

To identify the sixth and final venomous South Carolina snake – the coral snake – look for:

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

Copperhead

Scientific Name:	Agkistrodon contortrix
Range:	Statewide
Size:	24 – 40 inches
Description:	Heavy-bodied Keeled scales Triangular, solid dark brown heads Tan to brown body with triangular markings on both sides Juveniles possess bright yellow tail tip used for caudal luring
Habitat:	Varied
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Venomous

Cottonmouth

Scientific Name:	Agkistrodon piscivorus
Range:	Southeastern ½ of the state
Size:	24 – 48 inches
Description:	Heavy-bodied Keeled scales Older individuals may appear solid brown or black Juveniles possess bright yellow tail tip used for caudal luring Triangular heads with dark lines through eyes (like a Zorro mask) Body is brown or black with or without yellow. Markings are triangular and bordered in black.
Habitat:	Nearly all freshwater habitats
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Venomous

Coral Snake

Scientific Name:	Micrurus fulvius
Range:	Southeastern ½ of the state
Size:	18 – 30 inches
Description:	Slender Smooth, shiny scales Body is banded in bright red, yellow, and black – red and yellow rings typically touch
Habitat:	Woodlands and sandhill habitats
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Venomous

Pygmy Rattlesnake

Scientific Name:	Sistrurus miliarius
Range:	Statewide except northwesternmost tip
Size:	14 – 22 inches
Description:	Keeled scales Small, but stout Triangular head with colored bars that run from the eye to the base of the mouth on either side Juveniles possess bright yellow tail tip used for caudal luring 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
Habitat:	Woodlands, sandhill habitats, and near water sources
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Venomous

Timber Rattlesnake

Scientific Name:	Crotalus horridus
Range:	Statewide
Size:	30 – 72 inches
Description:	Heavy-bodied Keeled scales Tail is black and may appear velveteen 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
Habitat:	Rural farmlands, woodlands, and high ground near water sources
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Venomous

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Scientific Name:	Crotalus adamanteus
Range:	Southeastern ½ of the state
Size:	33 – 96 inches
Description:	Heavy-bodied Keeled scales Triangular head with two light lines on either side of face Brown, tan, or yellow body with darker diamond-shaped dorsal markings that are bordered in yellow or off-white
Habitat:	Dry, sandy habitats
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Venomous

Fun Fact: Many experts consider the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake the deadliest snake in the U.S.

Water Snakes in South Carolina

There are five types of water snakes in South Carolina. They all belong to the Nerodia genus. Most of them are specially adapted to hunt and consume fish.

Green Water Snake

Scientific Name:	Nerodia floridana
Range:	Southern ½ of the state
Size:	30 – 55 inches
Description:	Heavy-bodied Heavily keeled scales Eyes positioned at top of head 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)
Habitat:	Still bodies of water with heavy aquatic vegetation
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Non-venomous

Brown Water Snake

Scientific Name:	Nerodia taxispilota
Range:	Southeastern ½ of the state
Size:	30 – 60 inches
Description:	Heavy-bodied Heavily keeled scales 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
Habitat:	Flowing permanent bodies of water
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Non-venomous

Banded Water Snake

Scientific Name:	Nerodia fasciata
Range:	Southeastern ½ of the state
Size:	24 – 48 inches
Description:	Heavy-bodied Heavily keeled scales Dark stripe from eye to angle of jaw Light brown, reddish, or black body with darker bands Pattern fades with age; older individuals may appear solid black, brown, or red
Habitat:	Nearly all freshwater habitats
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Non-venomous

Northern Water Snake

Scientific Name:	Nerodia sipedon
Range:	Northwestern ½ of the state
Size:	24 – 55 inches
Description:	Heavy-bodied Heavily keeled scales Brown, tan, or gray body with a single row of black dorsal blotches and alternating rows of smaller lateral blotches on each side
Habitat:	Nearly all freshwater habitats
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Non-venomous

Red-bellied Water Snake

Scientific Name:	Nerodia erythrogaster
Range:	Statewide except northwesternmost tip
Size:	30 – 48 inches
Description:	Heavy-bodied Heavily keeled scales Solid brown or gray body with solid, bright orange or red belly Juveniles have alternating dorsal and lateral blotches that fade with age
Habitat:	Nearly all freshwater habitats
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Non-venomous

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 Snake

Scientific Name:	Elaphe [Pantherophis] obsoleta
Range:	Statewide
Size:	36 – 72 inches
Description:	Neither stout nor slender Weakly keeled scales Depending on locality, may have: 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) 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
Habitat:	Woodlands, wetlands, and suburban and urban habitats
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Non-venomous

Coachwhip

Scientific Name:	Masticophis flagellum
Range:	Statewide except northwesternmost tip
Size:	96+ inches
Description:	Slender-bodied snake Tail pattern resembles a braided whip 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
Habitat:	Sandhills, coastal areas, agricultural areas, and barrier islands
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Non-venomous

Mud Snake

Scientific Name:	Farancia abacura
Range:	Southeastern ½ of the state
Size:	Up to 81 inches
Description:	Smooth, glossy scales Somewhat heavy-bodied 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
Habitat:	Permanent and temporary bodies of water
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Non-venomous

Black Racer

Scientific Name:	Coluber constrictor
Range:	Statewide
Size:	Up to 60 inches
Description:	Slender-bodied Remarkably large eyes 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
Habitat:	Varied, especially edge habitats and agricultural areas
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Non-venomous

Queen Snake

Scientific Name:	Regina septemvittata
Range:	Northwestern ½ of the state
Size:	Up to 24 inches
Description:	Slender-bodied Yellowish belly with four brown stripes Olive green, brown, gray, or black body with three faint darker lengthwise dorsal stripes and two lighter dorsal stripes on each side
Habitat:	Running water with abundant crayfish populations, the preferred prey of the queen snake
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Non-venomous

Rainbow Snake

Scientific Name:	Farancia erytrogramma
Range:	Southeastern ½ of the state
Size:	Up to 66 inches
Description:	Smooth, glossy scales Yellowish chin and head 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
Habitat:	Flowing fresh and brackish water habitats
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Non-venomous

Ringneck Snake

Scientific Name:	Diadophis punctatus
Range:	Statewide
Size:	10 – 15 inches
Description:	Slender-bodied Shiny, smooth scales Gray or black body with a distinct yellowish-orange belly and ring around the neck
Habitat:	Prefer wooded areas
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Non-venomous

Eastern King Snake

Scientific Name:	Lampropeltis getula
Range:	Statewide
Size:	36 – 48 inches
Description:	Shiny, smooth scales Neither slender nor stout body Black body with white or yellowish chain-link crossbands that connect along the sides
Habitat:	Woodlands, aquatic habitats, agricultural and suburban areas
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Non-venomous

Black Swamp Snake

Scientific Name:	Seminatrix pygaea
Range:	Southeastern ½ of the state
Size:	12 – 22 inches
Description:	Slender-bodied Shiny, smooth scales Glossy black body with distinct bright-red patternless belly
Habitat:	Heavily-vegetated wetlands
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Non-venomous

Glossy Crayfish Snake

Scientific Name:	Regina rigida
Range:	Southeastern ½ of the state
Size:	14 – 24 inches
Description:	Heavy-bodied Short heads with distinct buggy eyes Yellow belly with two rows of black spots Olive-green, dark brown, gray, or black body with or without two light lengthwise stripes
Habitat:	Most wetlands
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Non-venomous

Most Common Snakes in South Carolina

According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the most common snakes in South Carolina are:

Rat snakes*
Black racers*
Corn snakes
Water snakes*
Brown snakes
Eastern kingsnakes*
Rough green snakes
Eastern garter snakes

We’ve learned about some of these abundant snakes* in previous sections. Let’s cover the rest of them here:

Corn Snake

Scientific Name:	Elaphe [Pantherophis] guttata
Range:	Statewide
Size:	30 – 48 inches
Description:	Slender snake Smooth scales Belly is black-and-white checkered, resembling Indian corn Orange, dark brown, or gray body with squarish, reddish-brown dorsal blotches that are outlined in black Spear-shaped blotch on top of the head, pointing toward the nose, and stripes extending from the back of the eyes past the corners of the jaw
Habitat:	Upland, terrestrial habitats
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Non-venomous

Brown Snake

Scientific Name:	Storeria dekayi
Range:	Statewide
Size:	6 – 13 inches
Description:	Dark head Slender snake Light brown or off-white belly with tiny black spots along each side Yellowish, reddish, gray, or brown body with two rows of dark dorsal spots that sometimes merge
Habitat:	Varied, including residential areas
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Non-venomous

Rough Green Snake

Scientific Name:	Opheodrys aestivus
Range:	Statewide
Size:	Up to 32 inches
Description:	Large eyes Weakly-keeled scales Medium-sized slender snake After death, color fades to blue or black Bright green body with yellow or off-white belly
Habitat:	Open forests and edge habitats
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Non-venomous

Eastern Garter Snake

Scientific Name:	Thamnophis sirtalis
Range:	Statewide
Size:	18 – 49 inches
Description:	Heavy-bodied Keeled scales Vertical bars on lip scales Gray, red, or even blue body with three yellow lengthwise stripes and with or without checkerboard lateral pattern
Habitat:	Moist, grassy environments
Venomous/Non-Venomous:	Non-venomous

Fun Fact: Pit vipers and garter snakes don’t lay eggs – they give birth to live young!

Other Native Species

Florida Scarlet Snake on top of dead leaves — Unlike Coral Snakes, the Scarlet Snake’s bands don’t fully encircle the snake’s body. They have patternless, off-white bellies.

Pine Snakes
Pine Snake	Pituophis melanoleucus
Kingsnakes
Mole Kingsnake	Lampropeltis calligaster
Scarlet Milk Snake	Lampropeltis triangulum
Earth Snakes
Rough Earth Snake	Virginia striatula
Smooth Earth Snake	Virginia valeriae
Worm Snakes
Worm Snake	Carphophis amoenus
Scarlet Snakes
Scarlet Snake	Cemophora coccinea
Ribbon Snakes
Eastern Ribbon Snake	Thamnophis sauritus
Flathead Snakes
Southeastern Crowned Snake	Tantilla coronata
Hognose Snakes
Southern Hognose Snake	Heterodon simus
Eastern Hognose Snake	Heterodon platirhinos
Red-Bellied Snakes
Red-Bellied Snake	Storeria occipitomaculata
Pine Woods Snakes
Pine Woods Snake	Rhadinaea flavilata

Fun Fact: Neither of South Carolina’s Hognose Snake species are common in captivity, but their west-coast cousin is!

What You Need to Know

Eastern Wormsnake on the ground — Many of South Carolina’s snakes, like this Eastern Wormsnake (Carphophis amoenus), are more interesting than they are dangerous or scary!

Snakes are shy (and, many times, harmless) creatures that are more afraid of us than we are of them.

Snakes don’t chase, attack, or hunt humans or pets. They view us as their predators, not their prey.

Coexisting with South Carolina Snakes

Snakes play a vital role in South Carolina’s ecosystem.

Some predators, including birds of prey, foxes, and raccoons, rely on snakes as a source of food. They also help to keep rodent and insect populations in check.

The best way to coexist with South Carolina’s snakes is to give them space and treat them with respect.

Snake Safety 101

If a harmless snake bites you, simply wash the area with warm soapy water. Watch out for signs of infection.

If a venomous snake bites you:

Stay calm
Sit or lay as still as possible
Keep the bite site below heart level
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 snake’s physical appearance
Immediately have someone drive you to the nearest emergency room or wait for an ambulance

About Venomous Snakes

South Carolina typically reports 150 to 300 snake envenomations per year. Of those bites, very few (if any) result in the victim’s death.

You should always seek immediate medical attention if a snake envenomates you to avoid medical problems such as permanent nerve damage, limb amputation, and breathing problems.

If You Encounter a Snake

The best thing you can do if you encounter a wild snake is to admire it from a distance.

Like most other wild animals, snakes are shy creatures that will eventually seek a more secluded location to hide or wait in ambush for prey.

When to Call for Help

Only reach out to a wildlife professional or snake relocation expert to have a snake removed from your property if you feel that it’s posing a direct threat to you, your children, or your pets.

Expert Tip: If you notice snake poop on your property, don’t panic – it’s free pest control!

If you find an injured snake, here’s a list of wildlife rehabilitation experts that accept reptilian patients in South Carolina.

Useful Resources

Emergency Envenomation Advice

If a suspected venomous snake bites you in South Carolina, contact the Palmetto Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.

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.

Snake Relocation Services

You can find a snake relocation professional in your area with this Free Snake Relocation Directory on Facebook.

Educational Resources

Southern hognose snake on top of sand with tongue out — This Southern Hognose Snake (Heterodon simus) is playing dead! Aren’t South Carolina’s snakes the cutest?

You can learn more about South Carolina’s snakes, and other wildlife, on their DNR website.

Even more in-depth species information is available from the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory’s Herpetology program.

iNaturalist offers a centralized location for wildlife enthusiasts to share observation data regarding plants and animals around the globe – including South Carolina’s reptiles.

Articles Similar to Our South Carolina Snake Identification Guide

If you’re interested in identifying more of North America’s native reptiles, have a look at our:

You can also check out our other articles on snakes – we have comprehensive guides to learn from!

Have you ever seen a reptile in the wild? Tell us about your cold-blooded experience in the comment section below!