Snakes in Dorchester County

• 
  Northern Cottonmouth

  Agkistrodon piscivorus

  ▲ Venomous

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

• 
  Eastern Copperhead

  Agkistrodon contortrix

  ▲ Venomous

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

• 
  Timber Rattlesnake

  Crotalus horridus

  ▲ Venomous

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

• 
  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 Dorchester County

Northern Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon piscivorus

▲ Venomous

Eastern Ratsnake

Pantherophis alleghaniensis

Harmless

Brown Watersnake

Nerodia taxispilota

Harmless

Banded Watersnake

Nerodia fasciata

Harmless

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

▲ Venomous

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Harmless

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

▲ Venomous

Red-bellied Snake

Storeria occipitomaculata

Harmless

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Common Ribbon Snake

Thamnophis saurita

Harmless

Red Cornsnake

Pantherophis guttatus

Harmless

Eastern Kingsnake

Lampropeltis getula

Harmless

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Harmless

Rough Earthsnake

Virginia striatula

Harmless

Rainbow Snake

Farancia erytrogramma

Harmless

Mudsnake

Farancia abacura

Harmless

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Western Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Harmless

Common Wormsnake

Carphophis amoenus

Harmless

Scarletsnake

Cemophora coccinea

Harmless

Eastern Coralsnake

Micrurus fulvius

▲ Venomous

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Dorchester County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Dorchester County, South Carolina?

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

How many snake species live in Dorchester County, South Carolina?

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

What is the most commonly seen snake in Dorchester County, South Carolina?

The Northern Cottonmouth is the most frequently reported snake in Dorchester County, South Carolina, based on verified wildlife observations.

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

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