Snakes in Beaufort County

• 
  Eastern Copperhead

  Agkistrodon contortrix

  ▲ Venomous

  Heavy body, triangular head, vertical pupils, and a heat-sensing pit between each eye and nostril.

• 
  Northern Cottonmouth

  Agkistrodon piscivorus

  ▲ Venomous

  Heavy body, triangular head, vertical pupils, and a heat-sensing pit between each eye and nostril.

• 
  Pygmy Rattlesnake

  Sistrurus miliarius

  ▲ Venomous

  Stout, dark-blotched body, nine large scales on the crown, and a small rattle.

• 
  Timber Rattlesnake

  Crotalus horridus

  ▲ Venomous

  Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.

Every snake recorded in Beaufort County

Banded Watersnake

Nerodia fasciata

Harmless

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Harmless

Common Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon

Harmless

Western Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Harmless

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

▲ Venomous

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Common Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis saurita

Harmless

Eastern Hognose Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Harmless

Eastern Ratsnake

Pantherophis alleghaniensis

Harmless

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Harmless

Red Cornsnake

Pantherophis guttatus

Harmless

Northern Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon piscivorus

▲ Venomous

Eastern Kingsnake

Lampropeltis getula

Harmless

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

Brown Watersnake

Nerodia taxispilota

Harmless

Mudsnake

Farancia abacura

Harmless

Rainbow Snake

Farancia erytrogramma

Harmless

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Rough Earthsnake

Virginia striatula

Harmless

Prairie Kingsnake

Lampropeltis calligaster

Harmless

Common Wormsnake

Carphophis amoenus

Harmless

Mole Kingsnake

Lampropeltis rhombomaculata

Harmless

Eastern Milksnake

Lampropeltis triangulum

Harmless

Red-bellied Snake

Storeria occipitomaculata

Harmless

Pygmy Rattlesnake

Sistrurus miliarius

▲ Venomous

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

▲ Venomous

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Scarletsnake

Cemophora coccinea

Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Beaufort County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Beaufort County, North Carolina?

Yes. 4 venomous snake species have verified records in Beaufort County, North Carolina, including Eastern Copperhead, Northern Cottonmouth, Pygmy Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake. Most snakes in Beaufort County, North Carolina, however, are harmless.

How many snake species live in Beaufort County, North Carolina?

20+ snake species have verified records in Beaufort County, North Carolina, of which 4 are venomous.

What is the most commonly seen snake in Beaufort County, North Carolina?

The Banded Watersnake is the most frequently reported snake in Beaufort County, North Carolina, based on verified wildlife observations.

What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Beaufort County, North Carolina?

Keep your distance and do not try to catch or kill it. Most bites happen when people handle or corner a snake. If someone is bitten, contact local emergency services or poison control immediately.

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