Copperheads are one of 38 types of snakes found in south carolina. The bands are dark tan to reddishbrown, and darker at the edges. Whats causing a copperhead snake population boom in sc. North and south carolina share most of the same snake species. Copperhead bites are serious, but fatalities are exceedingly rare, and the shy snakes will only. As late summer turns to fall, hikers, gardeners and other outdoor enthusiasts in south carolina should. There are dozens of species of snake in south carolina, six of which are venomous, according to the department of national resources dnr. Here is some information and pictures of poisonous snakes that can be found in our area. Be sure you know how to recognize a copperhead in case you or your child come across one in the wild and want to take it home as a pet. In south carolina, we have 38 species of snakes, but only six are. The venomous snakes of south carolina ahoy charleston. Cpc officials said they receive 10 times the number of calls about copperhead bites than all other snakes combined.
South carolina is a state that offers coastal plains alongside rivers, plateaus and sea islands along with a subtropical and humid climate, all things the average snake needs to thrive. Snake bites at record pace in sc, but, no, theyre not drought thirsty. Copperheads are fairly large 24 40 in 61 102 cm, heavybodied snakes with large, triangular heads and elliptical pupils cat eyes. Oct 30, 2016 south carolinas venomous snakes snakes play an important role as both predator and prey.
The copperhead is the most common venomous snake in the carolinas, according to environmental health officials in both states. Copperheads bite more people each year than other us venomous snake including rattlesnakes, water moccasins, and coral snakes. Your guide to the six venomous snakes in the carolinas. If you see a copperhead, leave it alone and rest assured it will do its best to avoid you. The good news is that copperheads are the least venomous of the. Out of all five of the venomous south carolina snake species the copperhead and cottonmouth snakes are the most common. May 29, 2019 the copperhead is one of six venomous snakes found in alabama, along with the cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake, eastern coral snake and eastern diamondback rattlesnake, outdoor. Poisonous venomous snakes in north carolina with photos. While copperheads are venomous they are very placid snakes that only bite if stepped on or otherwise threatened. Copperheads are among six types of venomous snakes in south carolina. Large, horizontal hourglassshaped bands across their backs. Venomous copperhead snake bite kills alabama man, family says. Now that spring is here, you can enjoy nature in your own backyard flowers blossoming, birds singing, and snakes slithering. Oct 07, 2019 south carolina 2yearold bitten by copperhead snake atlas johnson spent a few days at a hospital in charleston.
The copperhead is the most common venomous snake found in the carolinas. Experts offer sc residents advice on avoiding copperhead. The copperhead varies in color from pink to tan, with dark brown spots. Irmo, sc wis people living in one irmo subdivision say theyve seen more copperhead snakes than ever and some of their pets have even been bitten by them. Because of their coppery tanbrown coloring, they camouflage well with forest floor environments. Copperhead venom is not very potent and deaths from copperhead bites. South carolina snakes pictures and identification help copperhead agkistrodon contortrix. A copperhead bit kimberly sanford of salem and she has tips for. Sc lawmaker lands in hospital icu after venomous snake. The 2yearold was given antivenom, an expensive medicine counteracting the poison. Check out srels snakes of south carolina and georgia to learn more about each of our resident species. Apr 26, 2019 north and south carolina share most of the same snake species.
The cottonmouth is normally found in the eastern part of north carolina. Image binomial name name map carphophis amoenus amoenus. They are also maybe the most well known venomous snakes in. Snake bites at record pace in sc, but, no, theyre not. According to south carolina public radio, water snakes are often mistaken for copperheads because some water snakes colors are similar to those of the copperhead.
The copperhead accounts for more cases of venomous snake bite than any other north american species. Found throughout our state, the copperhead can reach a length of 4 feet. As a species, it belongs to the genus agkistrodon which also includes the cottonmouth, also known as the water moccasin. Female copperhead snakes are ovoviviparous, meaning that they carry their eggs in their bodies, until the eggs are ready to hatch, and then they release the eggs and the young hatch out immediately. Bordering georgia, a state home to many different species of snake, you can imagine that many of them happily cross state borders. There wasnt a single thing correct in that entire sentence, except maybe the word snake. Venomous snakes are distributed unevenly throughout the united states the vast majority of snake bites occur in warm weather states. Without copperheads and other rodent eating snakes there would be a drastic increase in cropfood damage and rodent spread diseases. If you observe a snake in your yard, please take a picture that can be emailed. This young copperhead on a customers driveway in hanahan near charleston was the first venomous snake that tree care professional josh johnson saw this year, despite his outdoor job and regular. Copperhead snakes are poisonous, so they are not snakes you should consider keeping as a pet. South carolina 2yearold boy bitten by copperhead snake.
Copperhead snakes and water snakes the infinite spider. South carolina has 38 species of snakes and the copperhead is one. Copperhead is a species of venomous snake endemic to eastern north america baby copperhead coloring. The copperhead varies in color from pink to tan, with dark brown spots down its body. Your guide to the six venomous snakes in the carolinas american copperhead.
The copperhead snake mainly lives in woodland habitats, such as forests. Of the identified snakes, the large majority was copperhead, she says. Thus, chances are greater of human and snake encounters. Venomous snakes in the carolinas palmetto exterminators. Copperheads account for more cases of venomous snake bite than any of our other species. Adult snakes are just as, if not even more, poisonous as baby snakes. Nov 19, 2014 copperhead snakes are some of the more commonly seen north american snakes. You may have seen a venomous poisonous copperhead, or perhaps a copperhead lookalike that is nonvenomous, in the wild or your backyard. Be cautious in the garden its the season when baby copperhead snakes are born in sc. Snake venom can kill but is also used to create lifesaving medicines.
From copperheads to cottonmouths, snakes are no mystery to the carolinas. Do not eat or drink anything, engage in strenuous physical activity, cut into the bite marks, apply a tourniquet, use any form of electrical shock, or apply anything cold to the bite. Venomous snake bites on the rise in the upstate greenville news. Copperhead agkistrodon contortrix venomous photos by j. This is a list of the known varieties of snakes in south carolina. A basketful of venomous snakes inhabit the lowcountry. Unlike many species that are unable to cope with human altered habitats, copperheads often thrive in disturbed areas. These organs enable the snakes to detect changes in heat around them, making it easy for them to sense when warmblooded prey is nearby. Theyre also the most likely to bite, although their venom is relatively mild, and their bites are rarely fatal for humans. Agkistrodon contortrix is a species of venomous snake, a pit viper, endemic to eastern north. Watching out for venomous snakes and insects duration. South carolina is home to 38 species of snakes, and most of them live in our area. Likelihood of encountering snakes in upstate increasing. Use the photo gallery to identify snakes that are common to sc, nc and ga.
Heres how to identify the venomous ones in south carolina. Redness, heat, pain, and swelling at the bite site. Three venomous serpents live in upstate south carolina, but the copperhead is responsible for most bites. South carolinas venomous snakes snakes play an important role as both predator and prey. More nc victims of venomous snake bites reported in 2019. If a snake does bite you, experts say to stay calm because that can help slow the spread of venom if its a venomous snake. South carolina venomous snakes biting at record pace news. Eastern diamondback rattlesnake crotalus adamanteus. Copperhead copperheads are found across the entire state and in virtually all habitats with the exception of aquatic areas. Baby copperhead snake identification guide look for these 5. May 01, 2017 agkistrodon contortrix is the least dangerous of the large venomous snakes in south carolina due to a limited supply of venom and a reduced potency. Warming weather in south carolina means its snake bite season, and residents should be on alert for copperheads, experts say. Their bites are the least toxic of the six but can be quite painful, said steve bennett, a retired department of natural.
There are 2 subspecies of copperheads occuring in south carolina. The copperhead, named so because of the coppery hue on its head, is considered common to abundant in south carolina. The copperhead is south carolinas most common venomous snake. Giving all snakes a wide berth while at the same time enjoying them is always the best policy, and thats especially true for the six venomous species found in south carolina. The copperhead is the most common venomous snake found in the eastern us and can be found throughout south carolina. Apr 26, 2017 6 venomous lowcountry snakes you need to know and what to do if you see one hilton head island packet. Venomous snakes of south carolinavenomous snakes of south. The fortunate thing about copperheads is that they are the least venomous of the venomous local snakes, though a bite from them still requires immediate medical attention. Of the five venomous snake species in south carolina, two the eastern diamondback. Poisonous critters on hilton head island in case of snakebite. It also means certain animals are more active, including snakes. This does not mean that a copperhead bite is harmless.
There are thirtyeight species of snakes found in south carolina and, only five of these the coral snake, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, timber or canebrake rattlesnake, pigmy rattlesnake, copperhead and cottonmouth are venomous. The venomous species are coral snake, pigmy rattlesnake, cottonmouth aka water moccasin, copperhead. In one study, copperheads delivered only half as much venom as cottonmouths, and their venom was only half as powerful drop for drop. Jun 18, 2019 the atrium health article did not break down the number of bites by the varieties of venomous snakes found in the state copperhead. Warm temps signal a start to copperhead season duration. All of south carolinas venomous snakes are pit vipers, with the exception of the coral snake. The eastern copperhead is a pitviper, as are all three of virginias venomous snake species eastern copperhead, eastern cottonmouth and timber rattlesnake. But calls about venomous snake bites to the south carolina poison center. Venomous copperhead snake bites 2yearold in south carolina. These snakes can reach a length of 4 feet, but adults are more likely to be between 2 and 3 feet long.
South carolina hosts five water snakes genus nerodia. List of fatal snake bites in the united states wikipedia. Of the 38 snake species that call south carolina home, only six are. These 5 snakes look similar to copperheads embora pets. What kinds of venomous snakes are in myrtle beach area. Click to see images of south carolinas venomous snakes. Fortunately, their venom is the least toxic of our species. There are38 species of snake in south carolina, six are venomous and three are found in the upstate the pygmy rattlesnake, the timber rattlesnake and the copperhead, which is the predominant. Poisonous critters on hilton head island openvision. Copperheads, while venomous and harmful, lack the deadly venom of some other snakes native to south carolina.
South carolina snakes pictures and identification help. Schmidt 1953 proposed the type locality be restricted to charleston, south carolina. Aug 27, 2019 be cautious in the garden its the season when baby copperhead snakes are born in sc. Nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, disturbed vision, the sweats, or tingling numbness throughout the body. South carolina 2yearold bitten by copperhead snake. More snake bite reports than usual, sc poison center says the state. Warmer weather in south carolina means more people are active outdoors. A 2yearold child was rushed to hospital in south carolina last week after being bitten on the leg by a venomous copperhead snake in his front yard. All six of south carolinas venomous snakes call the lowcountry home but dillman said three are more likely to appear than others. Because of their habitat preferences and general look they are often the snakes most mistaken for the venomous snakes. Do you know the difference between venomous and nonvenomous snakes in the area.