‘Ssssup, Columbia. For all of our readers with ophidiophobia (the fear of snakes): now might be a good time to slither on down to other sections of the newsletter. Just a fair warning.

Warmer weather tends to make both humans + wildlife more active, and as snakes are cold-blooded, they thrive with this changing of the seasons. But we’ve got some facts for you about snakes in South Carolina that might make you a little less hiss-terical about these scaly reptiles.

There are 38 species of snakes in South Carolina (we promise the numbers get better). Only six of these species are venomous – the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, canebrake (or timber) rattlesnake, pigmy rattlesnake, copperhead, cottonmouth (or water moccasin), + coral snake.

While we’re on the topic of poisonous snakes, we wanted to share a little rhyme with y’all to help you remember the difference between the poisonous Coral Snake (found predominantly in the Lowcountry) and the non-venomous Scarlet Snake + Scarlet Kingsnake, both of which call Columbia home. “Red band near black; friend of Jack. Red band near yellow; bite a fellow.”

See what we mean? | Image from Floridiannature.com

We want to dive a little deeper on a few of the area's most common types of snakes: the Copperhead and the Black Racer + Rat Snake.

Copperhead

The Copperhead is the most common type of venomous snake found in our state. We have few tips for recognizing these foes. They are relatively thick around and are, on average, two to three feet in length. This snake ranges in color from pink to a copper or tan color, but the defining feature of a Copperhead is the dark brown hourglass-shaped bands covering its body. Another thing to look for – juvenile Copperheads have a bright yellow tip on their tails. Oh, and be sure to not confuse the Copperhead with the brighter colored, non-venomous Corn Snake.

Venomous Copperhead Snake | Image from Jeff Beane

Black Racer + Black Rat Snake

These two species of snakes are both relatively common in our area, and while they are similar in length and their black coloring, there are several important differences to look out for to see which one of these snakes might be making a home in your yard. A Rat Snake is laid-back, kills its prey by constricting it, has a shiny black appearance, and is skilled at climbing trees and other vertical surfaces. Black Racers are high-strung and fast-moving, swallow their prey alive, have a matte look, and very rarely climb into trees.

Black Rat Snake | Image from The National Wildlife Federation

Snake Safety

Contrary to popular belief, snake bites only account for five to six deaths across the United States each year, although about 7,000 people report being bitten annually. There are a few things you can do to avoid snake encounters + stay safe if you do happen to come across one: wear closed shoes + long pants when walking or hiking through the woods, remove piles of wood and other debris from around your yard, remain calm and do not try to touch or move a snake if you see one, and finally, don’t snake it til you make – educate yourself.

If you or someone you know is bitten by a snake, it will be important to follow these three measures: “do not drink or eat anything including alcohol, stimulants or medicine, stay still + calm, and get to a hospital as quickly as possible.” If a snake bite is treated improperly it can increase the severity of the incident, so it is best to seek help from a medical professional immediately.