North Carolina is home to approximately 37 native snake species, reflecting the state’s varied geography from the mountains to the coast. These reptiles are integral components of the natural environment, playing an important role in balancing local ecosystems. The vast majority of these snakes are non-venomous and pose no threat to humans. This guide provides information on the species encountered in North Carolina, promoting safe coexistence with these beneficial animals.
The Venomous Species of North Carolina
North Carolina is home to six venomous snake species. Five belong to the pit viper family (Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, and Pigmy Rattlesnake), and one is a member of the elapid family. Pit vipers are characterized by heat-sensing facial pits.
The Copperhead is the most commonly encountered venomous snake in the state, found in all three major geographic regions: the Mountains, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain. Its body pattern consists of a light background overlaid with dark, hourglass-shaped crossbands. Copperhead bites account for the largest percentage of venomous snake encounters, though their venom is the least potent of the pit vipers found here.
The Cottonmouth, often called the Water Moccasin, is primarily restricted to the Coastal Plain and eastern Piedmont, inhabiting swamps, marshes, and slow-moving water. Adults are typically dark and heavy-bodied. When threatened, the snake performs a defensive display, opening its mouth wide to reveal the striking white interior that gives it its common name.
North Carolina is home to three rattlesnake species, all protected due to population declines. The Timber Rattlesnake (or Canebrake Rattlesnake) is large and found in the Mountains and Coastal Plain, having largely disappeared from the central Piedmont. Mountain specimens are often yellow, dark gray, or black, while Coastal Plain populations frequently have a pinkish background with a brown or orange stripe.
The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is the largest rattlesnake in the world and is listed as endangered in North Carolina, limited to the southeastern Coastal Plain. It is identified by a pattern of dark, diamond-shaped markings bordered by lighter scales. The Pigmy Rattlesnake is the smallest, typically measuring less than two feet long, and is found primarily in the southeastern Coastal Plain and Sandhills.
The Eastern Coral Snake is a rare, secretive, and state-endangered species found only in the extreme southeastern Coastal Plain. Unlike pit vipers, the Coral Snake has a small, rounded head and fixed fangs, belonging to the same family as the cobra. Its coloration is a distinct sequence of black, yellow, and red rings, with the yellow bands always touching the red bands.
The Abundant Non-Venomous Snakes
The vast majority of North Carolina’s snakes are non-venomous constrictors and foragers that control pest populations. Among the most common are Rat Snakes, which are long, powerful constrictors reaching up to six feet. They exhibit regional color variations, appearing glossy black in the Mountains and Piedmont, but often greenish-yellow with four dark stripes in the Coastal Plain. Rat Snakes are renowned for their climbing ability, often ascending trees in search of rodents and bird eggs.
The Eastern Kingsnake is found throughout the state and is immune to the venom of pit vipers. This constrictor’s diet includes rodents, lizards, and other snakes, consuming venomous species like Copperheads and Rattlesnakes. The Kingsnake is typically black with a distinctive chain-like pattern of thin white or yellowish crossbands. Their presence is beneficial, as they help suppress populations of venomous snakes.
The Common Gartersnake is one of the most widespread and recognizable species, found in almost every habitat from forests to suburban yards. These small-to-medium-sized snakes are identified by three light-colored stripes—often yellow or white—that run longitudinally down a dark background. Gartersnakes are active foragers, primarily feeding on earthworms, frogs, toads, and fish, and are one of the few species that give birth to live young.
Water snakes of the genus Nerodia are frequently mistaken for the venomous Cottonmouth because of their shared aquatic habitat and defensive behavior. The Northern Water Snake is found statewide near various bodies of water, including lakes, ponds, and rivers. When threatened, water snakes may flatten their heads and bodies to appear larger, mimicking the triangular shape of a pit viper. Their dark crossbands are typically widest on the back, a key visual difference from the Cottonmouth’s pattern.
Key Visual Cues for Identification
Species-specific patterns are the most reliable way to identify a snake, but certain general morphological features provide immediate clues. Venomous pit vipers in North Carolina possess a broad, triangular-shaped head that is distinctly wider than the neck. In contrast, most non-venomous snakes have a more slender head that tapers smoothly into the body.
The pupils of pit vipers are vertically elliptical, resembling a cat’s eye slit, particularly in bright light, while most non-venomous species have round pupils. Additionally, pit vipers have a deep facial pit located between the eye and the nostril on each side of the head. Non-venomous snakes lack this specialized sensory organ.
Head shape can be misleading, as non-venomous species like the Northern Water Snake and Rat Snakes often flatten their heads when threatened. This defensive display mimics a venomous appearance to deter predators. Relying on a single feature for identification is not recommended, and one should never approach a snake closely enough to inspect its pupils or facial pits.
Understanding Snake Habitats and Behavior
Snakes are ectothermic, and their activity levels are tied to ambient temperature. They emerge from a winter state of low activity, called brumation, in March or April and remain active through October. During cooler spring and fall months, snakes are typically diurnal, basking in sunny spots to warm their bodies.
The daily activity pattern shifts in the heat of summer, with many species becoming nocturnal to avoid lethal daytime temperatures, emerging at dusk to hunt. Their habitats reflect this need for temperature regulation, found in mountain forests, agricultural fields, and sandy wetlands. They seek shelter in places that offer cover and thermal stability, such as under rocks, logs, or dense vegetation.
Snakes are naturally timid and non-aggressive; bites occur almost exclusively when a person attempts to handle, harass, or kill the animal. The most effective way to coexist safely is by giving any encountered snake a wide berth. To reduce the likelihood of close encounters around a home, remove potential hiding spots like dense brush piles, stacked firewood, and rock piles. Keeping lawns mowed and sealing gaps in the home’s foundation also discourages snakes from taking up residence.