The state of South Carolina is a unique location where you will get time to explore the amazing flora and fauna. When exploring South Carolina, you should watch out for some of the most dangerous snakes. They thrive in different habitats, such as the forested areas, woodlands and grassland areas.
Depending on the region that you visit, it is important that you watch out for the serpents around the state. Some snakes that you are going to find in South Carolina include the following:
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Eastern Rat Snake
The eastern rat snake is a unique species that you are going to find in the state of South Carolina. This snake is the most dangerous creature that you are likely to find in different habitats around the state.
They are known to thrive in different habitats around the state and are mostly found during the spring season. Dark or shiny black colors characterize their bodies.
You can find them closer to water bodies, shrub lands, farm areas, and even in the urban areas. The snake is also known as a black rat snake in different areas.
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They can grow up to 6 feet long and they are typically black dorsally with a white throat. They are excellent climbers and this means that you will find them in some of the vegetation closer to the water bodies in the different areas.
Eastern rat snakes are usually very active at night and at dusk. It is therefore important that you watch out for these snakes because they can be very dangerous. They are constrictors in nature, and their saliva usually causes failure of the blood to clot.
In addition, they consume an array of species, such as lizards, birds, frogs, toads, and newts.
Northern Water Snake
The northern water snake is another common species that you are going to find in the state of South Carolina. The snake is known to like areas that are closer to water bodies.
They are some of the largest snakes that you will find in South Carolina. Northern water snakes come in different colors such as dark grey, black, tan, and dark brown.
These snakes usually prefer areas with permanent water sources. You are most likely to encounter them near swamps, lakes, rivers, and ponds.
Further reading: Dangerous animals in the United States
They feed on frogs, fish, toads, salamanders, and even snakes. Their saliva usually has anticoagulant, which makes it difficult for the victim’s blood to clot. This is one of the main reasons why it is known to cause excessive bleeding.
Eastern Kingsnake
The eastern kingsnake is a species that thrives in different habitats around the state of South Carolina. This snake is also commonly called the common kingsnake.
They can grow up to 48 inches long and they have their white cross-band markings and shiny scales. The eastern king snakes are known to inhabit a wide range of areas in the state of South Carolina. They prefer areas around the water bodies.
Its diet includes spiders, snakes, worms, toads, frogs, newts, and salamanders. They are top predator snakes and during your visit to the region; you are likely to encounter them in a wide range of areas. Some areas where you are likely to find these snakes include swamps, grassland areas, streams, ponds, and lakes.
These snakes are very dangerous because they have exceptional hunting skills. Therefore, they even consume the venomous snakes around the state. When you are exploring different habitats, then you are likely to find these creatures moving from one location to another.
Eastern Coachwhip
The eastern coachwhip snake is a common species that you are going to find in the state of South Carolina. You can find it in the different parts of the state apart from the mountainous region of the state.
These snakes are known to have very shiny scales and during your travel to South Carolina, you are likely to encounter them. There are different species of coachwhip snakes and these come in different areas and colors.
The most common habitats where you are likely to find these snakes are such as ponds, rivers, swamps, lakes, and streams. They can grow up to 8 feet long.
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These snakes tend to resemble the braided coachwhip hence you can find them in different locations around the state. The snakes are diurnal, which means that you can find them during different times of the day as you explore the state.
They usually consume a wide array of creatures, such as birds, lizards, toads, frogs, and mice.
Southern Black Racer
The southern black racer is a legendary creature that you are going to find in the state of South Carolina. These snakes are unique because they prefer the open grassland regions in the region.
It is one of the common snakes that you are going to encounter during your trip to South Carolina. They are very active snakes and can grow up to 5 feet long.
They have white chins and black bodies. The southern black racer is common because they prefer areas near the wetlands and in the grasslands. It is a very agile snake and you should ensure to be cautious when you are exploring different areas of the state.
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They are very active during the day and if you are hiking different parts of the state, then there is a high chance you will encounter this species around.
Southern black racers consume different things, such as frogs, toads, lizards, salamanders, newts, and tadpoles. They are not venomous; however, their saliva has an anticoagulant which causes them to cause failure of the blood to clot.
While they can flee whenever they see humans, there is a high chance that it might attack you.
Eastern Worm Snake
The eastern worm snake is a common species that you are going to find in the region. Their dark colors and light-colored undersides characterize them. They are a subspecies of the worm snake and they can grow up to 11 inches long.
The shiny scales characterize the eastern worm snakes. They prefer to live in moist areas. Therefore, you are going to find them in the wetlands, the grassland areas and the forested areas of South Carolina.
They are known to consume a wide array of species such as toads, frogs, newts, and salamanders.
They are oviparous and therefore lay eggs under rocks and logs. You can mostly find them in the Piedmont region. They are nonvenomous; however, their saliva contains many bacteria, which can be fatal to human beings.
Banded Water Snake
The banded water snake is another common species that you will find in the state of South Carolina. This snake is a freshwater snake and you will find it in the different areas across the state. You will see them basking on the rocks and logs, as they are very active during the morning.
If you are going to explore these areas in South Carolina, then you should watch out for these snakes. Just as the name indicates, they have bands on their bodies and they can grow up to 5 feet long.
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They have keeled scales, and this makes them have a rough body texture. These snakes are very active at night as well. Therefore, if you are exploring the area, then you will probably find them in the evening and in the morning when the heat is low.
They consume a wide array of creatures ranging from toads, frogs, and fish. The snakes are known to have flat heads.
Southeastern Crown Snake
The southeastern crown snake is a species that you are going to find in different habitats around the state of South Carolina.
These snakes usually prefer the moist areas around the state, therefore you are likely to find them along the rivers, lakes, ponds, and streams.
Southeastern crown snakes are known to burrow into the soil where it is moist and easier for them to thrive in the region. The snake can grow up to ten inches long. They usually lay eggs during fall.
They consume a wide range of creatures, such as spiders and insects. The snake is endemic to the southeastern region of the United States and they have poison in their system. That means they can transfer a high number of bacteria to your body. Many people confuse them for coral snakes.
Eastern Garter Snake
The eastern garter snake is a common species that you are going to find in different areas in South Carolina. They live mostly in fields and swamps. They are known to visit urban areas as well.
The eastern garter snake is known to grow up to 26 inches long and they come in different colors, such as black and green.
They mainly consume creatures such as toads, frogs, newts, salamanders, and lizards. These snakes prefer to consume anything depending on the region where you are going to find them.
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These are venomous snakes, therefore you should stay far away from them because you never know when they are going to attack you. They have fangs that they use to deliver a highly potent venom which can cause severe side effects on the victim.
Timber Rattlesnake
The timber rattlesnake is one species that you are going to find in the different areas of South Carolina. Snakes are usually known to inhabit different habitats in South Carolina.
They are known to inhabit the forested and moist areas around the state. These snakes are heavy-bodied in nature therefore, they are very aggressive and they have hexagonal marks on their bodies.
Timber rattlesnakes come in different colors, such as tan, brown, and dark brown. Depending on the habitat, you will find snakes of different colors. Most of these snakes are poisonous and you should ensure that you watch out for the different species around the different habitats.
