There are a lot of venomous snakes that inhabit the state of South Carolina. The snakes around the state can be very intimidating, and it is important that you watch out for these snakes during your visit to the region.
These snakes usually inhabit the forests, grasslands, and the Atlantic coast. They usually play a crucial role as they help to control the pests and insects that affect their crops in the region.
Here are some of the infamous venomous snakes that you will find in the state of South Carolina.
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Eastern Copperhead
The eastern copperhead snake is the most common venomous snake that you are going to find in South Carolina. The snake can grow up to 37 inches long and they come in different colors. Some of the common colors include dark grey, dark brown, and tan.
They also have hourglass-shaped bands of darker edges on their bodies. Eastern copperheads usually like to inhabit coniferous forests, swampy areas, river habitats, forests, and grasslands.
You are most likely to see these snakes during the day. They prefer to come out during fall when it is cooler. They are nocturnal during the summer period. These creatures are ambush hunters, therefore they will not attack prey anyhow.
However, they usually hide and wait, and after this, they attack rapidly and quickly. They are venomous snakes and you should ensure that you stay far away from these creatures during your travel to South Carolina.
Further reading: Dangerous animals in North Carolina
They are commonly called pit vipers because they have heat-sensing organs between their nostrils and eyes. The snakes are very adaptive in nature, hence you will find them exploring different habitats around the state.
Their bites have venom that is known to affect the central nervous system and the blood. Since they have unique coloration, they usually prefer to hide and this happens because they can blend in easily with their environment.
Black Racer Snake
The black racer snake is yet another one of the venomous snakes that you can find in South Carolina. These snakes are unique because they inhabit different environments around the state.
Their saliva usually has an anticoagulant, which means that it is going to have severe effects on your body when they bite. They deliver the salivary venom, which causes failure of blood to clot. This usually results in excessive blood loss and you should avoid such cases.
They are very fast and will tend to avoid people. However, it is important that you stay far away from them.
Further reading: Dangerous animals in Virginia
Timber Rattlesnake
The timber rattlesnake is another dangerous species that you will find in the state of South Carolina. These snakes are very dangerous because they can attack at any moment. They can grow up to 60 inches in length and come in different colors depending on their habitat.
Timber rattlesnakes usually come in different colors, such as dark grey, dark brown, and tan. They have crossbands on their necks and are heavy-bodied snakes.
It is the most venomous snake that you can find in high areas, thickets, flood plains, agricultural areas, coniferous forests, and deciduous forests.
Timber rattlesnakes are ambush predators, therefore, they will hide themselves in a bush before attacking their prey immediately. They feed on smaller mammals such as birds, frogs, toads, and salamanders.
Further reading: Dangerous animals in the US
This snake will usually hiss before striking. They are large and have very long fangs. People consider them to be the most dangerous venomous snakes you can find in South Carolina.
Northern Cottonmouth
The northern cottonmouth snake is a very dangerous species that you are going to find in South Carolina. The species can grow up to 35 inches long and the females are smaller than the males.
These snakes can be very dangerous. They come in different colors such as black, tan, brown, and dark brown. These are pit vipers, therefore, they have heat-sensing organs between the nostrils and their eyes.
They are the only aquatic venomous snake that you will find in South Carolina. Some of the commonplaces of this snake include the marshes, swamps, ponds, and slow-moving waters such as streams. There is a high chance that you will find these creatures around the state in prairies and forests.
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They can consume other smaller creatures, such as turtles, birds, mammals, alligators, and snakes. These are venomous species and you should ensure that you stay away from these creatures because they are likely to attack whenever they are threatened.
They will vibrate their tails before striking rapidly. They usually hiss and open their mouth, exposing a white foamy substance that is commonly called the cottonmouth.
Eastern Diamond-backed Rattlesnake
The eastern diamond-backed rattlesnake is another of the venomous snakes that you will find in the state of South Carolina. It is important to understand that these creatures usually move from one location to another with agility and speed, therefore; they are likely to attack precisely.
They are huge snakes that can grow up to 6 feet long and they come in different colors such as gray, olive, tan, and dark brown.
These snakes have distinctive diamonds that run down their back. The black band covers their eyes, and they have elliptical eyes. They are very dangerous species because they can bite and deliver dangerous venom to your system.
These species are some of the heaviest and the most dangerous venomous snakes in South Carolina. There have been cases where the snakes have grown up 8 feet long.
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You can find them in different areas, such as savannas, woodlands, forested areas, and scrublands. They are nocturnal in nature.
Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnake
Just as the name indicates, these snakes are unique to the state of South Carolina. They can grow up to 1.5 feet long and they come in different colors, such as light grey, tan, brown, and reddish. They have dark bands that run from the corner of their eyes to the jaw.
These snakes have elliptical eyes and they have a highly potent venom in their system which can affect the victim by causing them to be paralyzed..
You can find these snakes in different habitats around the state. Some habitats include sandhills, floodplains, upland forests, pine forests, near rivers, lakes, ponds, and marshes. Sometimes, you can find them wandering in urban areas.
They are very venomous creatures that you should watch out for during your trip to South Carolina.
Eastern Coral Snake
The eastern coral snake is an iconic species that you are going to find in different habitats around the state of South Carolina. These are some of the most dangerous venomous snakes you will find in South Carolina.
The snakes can grow up to 30 inches in length. They are characterized by their black, tan, grey, and brown bodies and they will come with several black bands on their bodies. They feature slender bodies as well.
In some areas, you are going to find these snakes inhabiting one place to another with red bands on their bodies. You should always ensure that you explore the areas that are safe for your visit because you do not want to interfere with these snakes.
These snakes consume a wide array of creatures. The most common creatures that they consume are lizards, frogs, toads, tadpoles, newts, and salamanders.
It is critical that you choose to avoid the habitats that are inhabited by snakes because they can be very dangerous. The venom from the snake is very dangerous because it can affect the central nervous system by causing paralysis. When this happens, the vital organs are going to fail, and this can cause fatalities.
While they spend most of their time in dense vegetation habitats, you must not corner them because they will feel threatened and this can result in them attacking you. The venom might be dangerous, especially because these snakes can deliver multiple bites to the victim.
These snakes are often confused with the scarlet king’s snakes; however, it is essential that you watch the different places that you explore to ensure that you are safe from these dangerous reptiles.
Corn Snake
The corn snake is a common species that you are going to find in different areas of South Carolina. These snakes live around the edges of fields, forests, and even in farmlands. They are among the largest venomous snakes that you are going to find in South Carolina.
The corn snakes are unique because they come in different colors such as red and orange coloring and some might be brown, dark brown, and tan.
These snakes are expert climbers, therefore; you will find them in trees and vegetation around the water bodies. These snakes are usually some kind of rat snakes and you will find them thriving in different habitats around the state.
These snakes are very huge because they can grow up to 6 feet long. Hence you should be very careful when exploring different parts of the state for the corn snake.
