Snakes in New Hanover 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.

• 
  Eastern Coralsnake

  Micrurus fulvius

  ▲ Venomous

  Rings of red, yellow, and black where red touches yellow; small rounded head and round pupils.

Every snake recorded in New Hanover County

Eastern Ratsnake

Pantherophis alleghaniensis

Harmless

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Banded Watersnake

Nerodia fasciata

Harmless

Southeastern Crowned Snake

Tantilla coronata

Harmless

Red-bellied Snake

Storeria occipitomaculata

Harmless

Red Cornsnake

Pantherophis guttatus

Harmless

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Harmless

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

▲ Venomous

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

Mudsnake

Farancia abacura

Harmless

Pine Woods Littersnake

Rhadinaea flavilata

Harmless

Scarletsnake

Cemophora coccinea

Harmless

Eastern Hognose Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Harmless

Northern Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon piscivorus

▲ Venomous

Black Swampsnake

Seminatrix pygaea

Harmless

Rough Earthsnake

Virginia striatula

Harmless

Eastern Coralsnake

Micrurus fulvius

▲ Venomous

Eastern Kingsnake

Lampropeltis getula

Harmless

Common Coachwhip

Masticophis flagellum

Harmless

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Harmless

Rainbow Snake

Farancia erytrogramma

Harmless

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Western Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Harmless

Mole Kingsnake

Lampropeltis rhombomaculata

Harmless

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Smooth Earthsnake

Virginia valeriae

Harmless

Glossy Swampsnake

Liodytes rigida

Harmless

Common Wormsnake

Carphophis amoenus

Harmless

Common Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis saurita

Harmless

Brown Watersnake

Nerodia taxispilota

Harmless

Southern Hognose Snake

Heterodon simus

Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in New Hanover County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in New Hanover County, North Carolina?

Yes. 3 venomous snake species have verified records in New Hanover County, North Carolina, including Eastern Copperhead, Northern Cottonmouth, Eastern Coralsnake. Most snakes in New Hanover County, North Carolina, however, are harmless.

How many snake species live in New Hanover County, North Carolina?

30+ snake species have verified records in New Hanover County, North Carolina, of which 3 are venomous.

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

The Eastern Ratsnake is the most frequently reported snake in New Hanover County, North Carolina, based on verified wildlife observations.

What should I do if I see a venomous snake in New Hanover 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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