Snakes in Wake 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.

Every snake recorded in Wake County

Common Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon

Harmless

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

▲ Venomous

Eastern Ratsnake

Pantherophis alleghaniensis

Harmless

Common Wormsnake

Carphophis amoenus

Harmless

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Rough Earthsnake

Virginia striatula

Harmless

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Harmless

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Harmless

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Red-bellied Snake

Storeria occipitomaculata

Harmless

Western Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Harmless

Smooth Earthsnake

Virginia valeriae

Harmless

Eastern Kingsnake

Lampropeltis getula

Harmless

Eastern Hognose Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Harmless

Mole Kingsnake

Lampropeltis rhombomaculata

Harmless

Prairie Kingsnake

Lampropeltis calligaster

Harmless

Red Cornsnake

Pantherophis guttatus

Harmless

Common Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis saurita

Harmless

Queensnake

Regina septemvittata

Harmless

Scarletsnake

Cemophora coccinea

Harmless

Northern Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon piscivorus

▲ Venomous

Mudsnake

Farancia abacura

Harmless

Eastern Milksnake

Lampropeltis triangulum

Harmless

Western Worm Snake

Carphophis vermis

Harmless

Scarlet Kingsnake

Lampropeltis elapsoides

Harmless

Southeastern Crowned Snake

Tantilla coronata

Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Wake County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Wake County, North Carolina?

Yes. 2 venomous snake species have verified records in Wake County, North Carolina, including Eastern Copperhead, Northern Cottonmouth. Most snakes in Wake County, North Carolina, however, are harmless.

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

20+ snake species have verified records in Wake County, North Carolina, of which 2 are venomous.

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

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

What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Wake 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.

Nearby counties