By Alvin Braswell, curator of reptiles and amphibians
How
many species of venomous snakes live in North Carolina?
Which
is the most dangerous?
Can
a copperhead bite be fatal?
What is a pit viper? Do any live
in North Carolina?
How
can I avoid snakes?
What’s the correct way to deal with snakebite? 
Where are
snakes found?
What do snakes eat, and how often?
There is a snakeskin shed in
my attic; what should I do?
How often do snakes shed their skin?
Which
snake is the most common in North Carolina?
Which is the rarest snake
in North Carolina?
Which threatened
or endangered snakes live in North Carolina?
Are snakes protected by law?
How
many species of venomous snakes live in North Carolina?
Six: copperhead, cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake, pigmy rattlesnake,
eastern diamondback rattlesnake and eastern coral snake. There are also
31 nonvenomous species in North Carolina, for a total of 37 species.
- Copperhead
- Cottonmouth
- Timber rattlesnake
- Pigmy rattlesnake
- Eastern diamondback rattlesnake
- Eastern coral snake
Which
is the most dangerous?
Although the eastern coral snake possesses very powerful venom, it is
rare in the state and no bites have been recorded. The eastern diamondback
rattlesnake has a large quantity of venom that is more toxic than that
of the timber rattlesnake, pigmy rattlesnake, cottonmouth or copperhead.
However, it, too, is quite rare.
The copperhead (pictured above right) can be considered the most dangerous in North Carolina simply because in many areas of the state, it is the only venomous snake you are likely to encounter. The copperhead is more likely to occur near human dwellings than other venomous species, and it is responsible for the vast majority of venomous snakebites.
Can
a copperhead bite be fatal?
Fortunately, copperhead venom is relatively mild. The bites are painful,
but deaths from copperhead bite are extremely rare. When proper medical
assistance is received, the bite normally causes no permanent injury.
Medical assistance should always be sought for any venomous snakebite.
What
is a pit viper? Do any live in North Carolina?
Five of North Carolina’s six venomous species are pit vipers. The
distinguishing feature is the heat-sensing pit, or indentation, between
the eye and nostril on each side of the head (
lateral
head figure, right). The pits face forward and are used to detect differences
in temperature. The snakes’ “binocular” heat-sensing
ability allows them to detect in total darkness the location and probably
the size of warm-blooded animals. This faculty is primarily used to acquire
food—just as snake venom is. However, it also can help snakes detect
the presence of animals that might prey upon or otherwise harm them.
All pit vipers have vertical, elliptical pupils, and most of the scales under the tail are in a single row, (tail figure, left) although these characteristics can be difficult to observe.
The eastern
coral snake is the one venomous species in North Carolina that isn’t
a pit viper. It has many characteristics in 
common
with the 31 nonvenomous snakes, which have round pupils, no pit and
a double row of scales under the tail (tail figure, right).
How can I avoid snakes?
You can reduce the likelihood of their presence near your residence by
removing items they might use for shelter – or which their
prey might use -- such as scrap sheet metal, boards, woodpiles and
similar debris. Raising materials off the ground promotes dryer storage
and attracts fewer critters. When woodlands and other plant communities
are nearby, eliminating the possibility of a snake is virtually impossible.
Learn to identify the dangerous species in your area, and be cautious
when conducting activities that could promote encounters (e.g., don’t
walk around barefooted outdoors at night when the copperhead is on
the prowl for food).
|
What’s
the correct way to deal with snakebite?Where
are snakes found?
More species of snakes occur in the Coastal Plain (36) than in the Piedmont
(29) or the mountains (21). In most habitats, nonvenomous snakes far
outnumber venomous snakes in both number of species and number of individuals.
One or more species of snakes are likely to occur in most natural habitats
that are not intensively manicured. Riparian habitats along stream corridors
probably have the highest diversity of snakes.
What
do snakes eat, and how often?
Snake diets vary widely depending on the species. Some prefer warm-blooded
prey and eat mostly rodents and birds, while others prefer amphibians,
other reptiles, fish, insects, spiders, earthworms, slugs and a variety
of other invertebrates. Most snakes eat once a week to once a month,
depending on the size and availability of food.
There is a snakeskin shed
in my attic; what should I do?
In
North Carolina, chances are excellent that the snake involved
is a rat snake. (Rat snake shed pictured at right) This species
is an excellent climber and is responsible for most of the “snake-in-house” calls
the Museum of Natural Sciences receives. If you need to verify
the identification, collect as much of the shed as possible,
put it in a protective container and send it to a science center
or natural history museum for identification. The Museum will
identify the shed or will help you locate someone in your area
who can help. Once snakes shed their skin, they usually go
in search of food. If a shed is dry, chances are the snake
is not present. Shed skins normally are longer than the snake
that shed them by about 25% (e.g., a 5-foot shed would be from
a 4-foot snake).
How often do snakes shed their
skin?
Most snakes shed three or more times each year. They usually shed shortly
after emerging in the spring. After that, sheds are geared to the growth
rate and general health of the snake. A snake with a skin infection or
injury might shed more often than normal. A young, growing snake will
shed more often than an older, mature one.
Which
snake is the most common in North Carolina?
The
most common snake in North Carolina very likely is the eastern
worm snake. The largest one recorded from the state was 330 mm
(13 inches). It is usually seen when dug up or uncovered while
moving objects such as logs or mulch. The rat snake and black
racer also are commonly seen large snakes that are active by
day and live in habitats frequented by humans.
Which
is the rarest snake in North Carolina?
The eastern diamondback rattlesnake possesses this dubious distinction,
closely followed by the eastern coral snake. Both are on N.C.’s
endangered species list.
Are
snakes protected by law?
Loss of habitat and declining numbers landed two venomous snake species
on N.C.’s endangered species list in 2001. Two additional venomous
and four nonvenomous species are classified as N.C. “species of
Special Concern” for the same reasons. These designations make
it illegal to collect the snakes without a permit. Killing them is allowed
only when they pose a clear and imminent threat to health and safety. All
plants and animals are protected within the boundaries of national and
state parks, as well
as in some other nature preserves and sanctuaries.
Which
Threatened or Endangered snakes live in North Carolina?
Eight of the North Carolina’s 37 snake species receive protection
under the state’s endangered wildlife law:
| ENDANGERED: | |
| Eastern diamondback rattlesnake | |
| Eastern coral snake | |
| SPECIAL CONCERN: | |
| Timber rattlesnake | |
| Pigmy rattlesnake | |
| Southern hognose snake | |
| Pine snake | |
| Carolina water snake | |
| Outer Banks kingsnake |
What’s good about snakes?
Some eat rats and mice that damage crops and property, and carry diseases;
all are important parts of their ecosystems. Some also have beautiful
colors and markings, and many help people learn about the natural
world. Snake venoms have been used in a variety of medical applications.
In some parts of the world, snakes are considered valuable food items,
prized for high-priced leather products and revered as mythical creatures.
References:
Reptiles
of North Carolina
Amphibians
and Reptiles of the Carolinas and Virginia
Venomous
Snakes of North Carolina
Davidson
College Web site
If you need more information or have more questions about North Carolina snakes, please Ask a Naturalist.
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