South Carolina
Snakes in Chesterfield County
28 species have been documented here, 4 of them venomous.
Venomous snakes in Chesterfield County
Full guide & what to do if bitten →
Northern CottonmouthAgkistrodon piscivorusVenomousHeavy body, triangular head, vertical pupils, and a heat-sensing pit between each eye and nostril.
Timber RattlesnakeCrotalus horridusVenomousHeavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Pygmy RattlesnakeSistrurus miliariusVenomousStout, dark-blotched body, nine large scales on the crown, and a small rattle.
Eastern CopperheadAgkistrodon contortrixVenomousHeavy body, triangular head, vertical pupils, and a heat-sensing pit between each eye and nostril.
Every snake recorded in Chesterfield County

Northern Cottonmouth
Agkistrodon piscivorus
Venomous

Banded Watersnake
Nerodia fasciata
Harmless

North American Racer
Coluber constrictor
Harmless

Red-bellied Snake
Storeria occipitomaculata
Harmless

Eastern Kingsnake
Lampropeltis getula
Harmless

Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
Harmless

Scarletsnake
Cemophora coccinea
Harmless

Rough Greensnake
Opheodrys aestivus
Harmless

Red Cornsnake
Pantherophis guttatus
Harmless

Eastern Ratsnake
Pantherophis alleghaniensis
Harmless

Pine Snake
Pituophis melanoleucus
Harmless

Common Coachwhip
Masticophis flagellum
Harmless

Timber Rattlesnake
Crotalus horridus
Venomous

Common Wormsnake
Carphophis amoenus
Harmless

Pygmy Rattlesnake
Sistrurus miliarius
Venomous

Mudsnake
Farancia abacura
Harmless

Mole Kingsnake
Lampropeltis rhombomaculata
Harmless

Eastern Hognose Snake
Heterodon platirhinos
Harmless

Brown Watersnake
Nerodia taxispilota
Harmless

DeKay's Brownsnake
Storeria dekayi
Harmless

Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus
Harmless

Western Ratsnake
Pantherophis obsoletus
Harmless

Eastern Copperhead
Agkistrodon contortrix
Venomous

Plain-bellied Watersnake
Nerodia erythrogaster
Harmless

Common Ribbon Snake
Thamnophis saurita
Harmless

Prairie Kingsnake
Lampropeltis calligaster
Harmless

Southeastern Crowned Snake
Tantilla coronata
Harmless

Rainbow Snake
Farancia erytrogramma
Harmless
Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.
Snakes in Chesterfield County: FAQ
- Are there venomous snakes in Chesterfield County, South Carolina?
- Yes. 4 venomous snake species have verified records in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, including Northern Cottonmouth, Timber Rattlesnake, Pygmy Rattlesnake, Eastern Copperhead. Most snakes in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, however, are harmless.
- How many snake species live in Chesterfield County, South Carolina?
- 20+ snake species have verified records in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, of which 4 are venomous.
- What is the most commonly seen snake in Chesterfield County, South Carolina?
- The Northern Cottonmouth is the most frequently reported snake in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, based on verified wildlife observations.
- What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Chesterfield County, South 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.