South Carolina
Snakes in Lee County
19 species have been documented here, 3 of them venomous.
Venomous snakes in Lee County
Full guide & what to do if bitten →
Eastern CopperheadAgkistrodon contortrixVenomousHeavy body, triangular head, vertical pupils, and a heat-sensing pit between each eye and nostril.
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.
Every snake recorded in Lee County
Eastern Ratsnake
Pantherophis alleghaniensis
Harmless
Plain-bellied Watersnake
Nerodia erythrogaster
Harmless
Banded Watersnake
Nerodia fasciata
Harmless
Eastern Copperhead
Agkistrodon contortrix
Venomous
Northern Cottonmouth
Agkistrodon piscivorus
Venomous
Rough Greensnake
Opheodrys aestivus
Harmless
North American Racer
Coluber constrictor
Harmless
Timber Rattlesnake
Crotalus horridus
Venomous
Red-bellied Snake
Storeria occipitomaculata
Harmless
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
Harmless
Brown Watersnake
Nerodia taxispilota
Harmless
Eastern Kingsnake
Lampropeltis getula
Harmless
Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus
Harmless
Common Ribbon Snake
Thamnophis saurita
Harmless
Common Wormsnake
Carphophis amoenus
Harmless
Mudsnake
Farancia abacura
Harmless
DeKay's Brownsnake
Storeria dekayi
Harmless
Scarletsnake
Cemophora coccinea
Harmless
Southeastern Crowned Snake
Tantilla coronata
Harmless
Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.
Snakes in Lee County: FAQ
- Are there venomous snakes in Lee County, South Carolina?
- Yes. 3 venomous snake species have verified records in Lee County, South Carolina, including Eastern Copperhead, Northern Cottonmouth, Timber Rattlesnake. Most snakes in Lee County, South Carolina, however, are harmless.
- How many snake species live in Lee County, South Carolina?
- 10+ snake species have verified records in Lee County, South Carolina, of which 3 are venomous.
- What is the most commonly seen snake in Lee County, South Carolina?
- The Eastern Ratsnake is the most frequently reported snake in Lee County, South Carolina, based on verified wildlife observations.
- What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Lee 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.