There are about 37 snake species that thrive in the state of North Carolina. About six species are highly venomous and most of them are black. It is important to be very careful especially if you are going to explore the outdoor environment in the state because they can turn out to be lethal. North Carolina has its fair share of black snakes and they have different colors and variations that you should consider.
Here are some of the legendary black snakes that are found in the state of North Carolina.
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Black Racer
The black racer is one of the top black snakes that you are going to find in North Carolina. The black racer species is mostly found in the central and northern parts of the state because it is known to thrive in semiaquatic environments.
Some of the places that you are likely to find these snakes in the state of North Carolina include wetlands, forests, grasslands, and in open fields where there is adequate vegetation. Since these are reptiles, they usually thrive in areas where the ecosystem will complement their homeostasis.
The black racer is a very adaptive reptile known to move very fast on land, swim very fast in the water and even evade predators at exceptional precision when attacked. The black racer can grow up to 7 feet long and they are characterized by their slim yet very powerful bodies.
Learn more: Kingsnakes in North Carolina
They have a narrow head and large black eyes. They are usually black in color and some might have a slight light shade on the belly depending on the location that you will find them.
The primary diet of the black racer is small mammals, birds, rodents, and amphibians. They utilize their speed and agility to attack their prey. They are generally reclusive in nature and they enjoy a solitary life.
They flee when they sense danger, however, you should not interfere with their habitat when you are exploring different parts of the state because they can turn and attack you.
Queen Snake
The queen snake is another snake that you are likely to encounter during your trip to North Carolina. They are dark brown or black in color and they might have a white belly.
These snakes can grow up to 24 inches long and they usually have a specific habitat requirement these snakes are known to inhabit areas where there is clean running water. Hence you will find them in freshwater rivers among other places.
They consume smaller amphibians, insects, worms, and rodents among others.
Mud Snake
The mud snake is another legendary species that you should watch out for because of its unique characteristics and activities. While many people are misled by the name this species usually comes in a wide array of colors such as red, black, yellow, orange, and dark blue with black color being predominant.
The snake is usually black with a colored underbelly. The mud snake can grow up to 4.5 feet long and they are known to thrive in muddy ecosystems, marshes, and swamps. The reptiles are known to prefer areas near a water source and it is where they will find their food which ranges from fish, frogs, and crayfish among other smaller reptiles.
Learn more: Dangerous animals in North Carolina
They are nonvenomous species and therefore pose no threat to humans. In addition to this, these snakes are usually docile and reclusive and will hide in the water whenever they feel threatened.
Black Rat Snake
The black rat snake is another legendary snake that you will find in different parts of the state and they vary in appearance, size, and lifestyle as well as behavior.
These snakes are known to be very adaptive and they can inhabit a wide array of places ranging from swamps, fields, forests, and agricultural areas among others. Just like the name indicates these snakes are known to eat mice and rats and this means that you are likely to encounter them in human settlements.
The black rat snake is not aggressive to humans and they are less poisonous so there is no need to worry when you encounter them. They are known to be long and thick with their body covered by black shiny scales. The black rat snake can grow up to 6 feet long and they have an underbelly with tiny white colorations or dots.
They are known to be exceptional climbers and they can hunt on the ground where they get most of their food. These snakes are perfect for the ecosystem because they balance the number of rodents such as rats and mice.
They are often tolerated and promoted, especially in farmlands and suburban areas. Whenever they face danger, they tend to flee and hide. They might hiss and posture up to scare you but they will eventually run.
Black Phase Pine Snake
This is one of the black snakes that are known to thrive in different parts of the state of North Carolina. They have a very specific habitat which is areas that are heavily forested by pine trees. The local species are known to thrive in areas with pine trees in the region. You can easily identify this species because they have a thick and powerful body.
They can grow up to 8 feet long and they have a short and bulky head with powerful jaw and round snout. You will easily see them because of their huge size and can remind you of the constrictor. The black phase snake is known to consume rodents and this is because they thrive in the forests and they prefer hunting at night.
They usually use the wait-and-attack strategy when trying to attack their prey. They bury themselves under leaves or logs whenever they are feeling threatened and they are nonaggressive in nature. They are pretentious creatures and hence can make it difficult to be kept as pets.
Carolina Swamp Snake
This is one of the smallest yet very dangerous snake species that you will find in North Carolina. They are known for inhabiting the various swamps in the region as well as the wetlands that cover the unique nation. There are other ecosystems as well that are perfect for this snake and these include bogs, marshes, and other vegetation-rich locations.
This reptile usually spends most of the time looking for its prey in swamp water and the surrounding wetlands therefore if you are exploring these areas then you are likely to encounter them. Some of the common food for the Carolina swamp snake include insects, small reptiles, and amphibians. Since they are smaller in size, they tend to consume a lot of food to maintain their homeostasis.
You can easily recognize this snake because they have a blood-red underbelly and a black body and it can grow up to 22 inches long. Although it is important to note that you will find some species with large black eyes and a huge skull.
Ideally, these snakes are not aggressive to humans because they tend to stay in their comfort zone, especially in the waters. They only come out at dusk or at night to hunt for food. They are friendly and docile.
Glossy Crayfish Snake
While many people can be misled by the name, the glossy crayfish snake is not glossy as indicated it is bland in its appearance. They have some unique features that make them a perfect species to thrive in different environments.
They grow up to 25 inches long and they are semiaquatic creatures and during your trip to the area, you should watch out for them. They prefer swamps, marshes, bogs, and other areas closer to water bodies. They are easily recognizable by their shiny snakes and thick body with small heads and oversize eyes.
Some of the glossy crayfish snakes will have brown underbellies. They prefer crayfish and they are difficult to keep as pets. They are found in areas where you will find a huge number of crayfish. They are docile species and are less likely to attack you in case you encounter them in the wild.
They are nocturnal species therefore you will find them out at night or dusk but during the day they tend to hide.
Ringneck Snake
The ringneck snake is yet another one of black snakes that you are going to find in the state of North Carolina. The flashy coloring and delightful appearance are some of the features that make it easily identifiable.
They usually come in two major colors: brown and black; and their underbellies can range from orange, brown, and blue among other colors. They have a black dorsal and a ring with distinct colors hence the name.
These snakes usually thrive in different habitats and some of the most common areas that you will find them include forests, grassland, and even suburban areas in some cases. The ringneck snake consumes a wide array of species such as amphibians, earthworms, and insects. They are usually nonvenomous in nature. However, they have adapted to even consumer venomous reptiles hence you should watch out for these dangerous creatures because when they bite, they are likely to transfer the poison from their venomous food.
They have a wide array of defensive mechanisms such as playing dead, foul odor and even curling up to resemble the venomous species.
Coachwhip
The coachwhip is one of the most popular species that you are going to find in most southern United States. They are also found in different states of Mexico. Since it is adaptable in nature you will find them thriving in different habitats and they can grow up to 7 feet long depending on the region that you will find them.
The most common places that you are likely to find this snake include scrublands, deserts, and grasslands among others. Ideally, they inhabit areas where they are likely to get their food. The coachwhip snake is easily identified because of its light brown body and black neck and hear.
They have an extremely long and thin tail hence the name “Whipsnake”. In most cases, you will find different snakes with different colorations but black is predominant. They have large black eyes and a pointy snout.
This snake species feeds on smaller mammals and reptiles among other species in the area. They have a unique feeding habit because they adapt to the system and become agile and very fast when they are attacking their prey.
The coachwhip snakes are very aggressive and you cannot intimidate them by surprise because they will stand their ground and even attack you or mimic the rattlesnake.
Red-Bellied Snake
The red-bellied snake is another black snake species that you are going to find in the state of North Carolina. Many people will confuse it with the ringneck snake because of their similarities.
While they come in different colors, the most predominant color is black. They are nonvenomous snakes and they are found mostly in the northeastern United States. They inhabit different areas such as grasslands and forests and they can grow up to 12 inches long.
They come with a dark body and different shades depending on the species. They usually prefer to consume small amphibians, worms, and insects, and they are known to have different defensive tactics that are similar to those of the ring snake.
They can try to intimidate their attackers. Their small size and distinctive appearance and the vibrating tail and head are some of the iconic features of the creature.
In summary, North Carolina is a state that is rich in the number of snake species that you are going to find in the region. The most common black snakes are found in various habitats and if you are exploring North Carolina then you should watch out for other venomous species.
