Common Snakes in South Carolina
There are 38 snake species in South Carolina, only six of which are venomous. Many snakes provide an important service keeping rodent and other pest populations under control. Some of our most commonly seen snakes are:
- Black racers
- Brown snakes
- Corn snakes
- Eastern garter snakes
- Eastern kingsnakes
- Rough green snakes
- Non-venomous water snakes
- Rat snakes
The venomous species tend to be secretive and are less frequently encountered. All snakes are nonaggressive when left alone.
University of Georgia, SREL
- How to be safe around snakes?
- Snakes of South Carolina and Georgia
- What to do if you get bitten by a snake?
Additional resources for snakes
- Clemson Cooperative Extension - Controlling Snakes around Stormwater Ponds
- Upland Snakes of South Carolina
- Venomous Snakes of South Carolina (Adobe PDF)
Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy
- Blue Ridge Reptiles and Amphibians Guild - Adobe PDF
- Florida Green Water Snake - Adobe PDF
- Longleaf Pine Reptile Guild - Adobe PDF
- Miscellaneous Amphibian and Reptiles - Adobe PDF
Andrew Grosse - SCDNR Herpetologist
Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
220 Santee Gun Club Rd.
McClellanville, SC 29458
Ph: (843) 527-8448
Fax: (843) 527-0255
E-mail: grossea@dnr.sc.gov
Some files above are provided in Adobe® Acrobat® (PDF) format. Adobe® Reader® is required to open these files and is available as a free download from the Adobe® Web site.
