Indigenous Snakes of South Carolina

Miniature Snakes

• South Carolina is home to several miniature indigenous snake species -- snakes that only get to be about 14 inches long as fully-grown adults. These snakes are so small they can sometimes be mistaken for worms in gardens and backyards. Some of these snakes include worm snakes, smooth earth snakes, redbelly snakes, crowned snakes and ringneck snakes.

Blotched and Banded Snakes

• Blotched and banded patterns on indigenous snakes in South Carolina are extremely common. These snakes usually have a dull base color such as black or grey, and then brightly-colored splotches that may be red, orange or white. These snakes include corn snakes, milk snakes, hognose snakes, scarlet snakes, pine snakes, Eastern kingsnakes and Northern water snakes.

Solid Snakes

• Solid-colored snakes in South Carolina can be difficult to identify, and may need a closer look. The solid brown queen snake has yellow on its belly and sides, while the black racer has a white chin. The black rat snake is completely black save for a blotchy black and white belly. The rough green snake is the easiest to identify, as it is a bright, lime green color.

Pit Vipers and Elapids

• There are two families of venomous snakes that are indigenous to South Carolina, pit vipers and elapids. Pit vipers in South Carolina include rattlesnakes such as the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, Carolina pigmy rattlesnake and the dusky rattlesnake. Other pit vipers include the copperhead snake and the cottonmouth snake. The only elapid snake indigenous to South Carolina is the coral snake.