Snakes in Richland 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.

• 
  Pygmy Rattlesnake

  Sistrurus miliarius

  ▲ Venomous

  Stout, dark-blotched body, nine large scales on the crown, and a small rattle.

Every snake recorded in Richland County

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Harmless

Northern Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon piscivorus

▲ Venomous

Eastern Ratsnake

Pantherophis alleghaniensis

Harmless

Brown Watersnake

Nerodia taxispilota

Harmless

DeKay's Brownsnake

Storeria dekayi

Harmless

Banded Watersnake

Nerodia fasciata

Harmless

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

▲ Venomous

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Harmless

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Red-bellied Snake

Storeria occipitomaculata

Harmless

Common Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon

Harmless

Eastern Hognose Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Harmless

Common Wormsnake

Carphophis amoenus

Harmless

Red Cornsnake

Pantherophis guttatus

Harmless

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

▲ Venomous

Eastern Kingsnake

Lampropeltis getula

Harmless

Rough Earthsnake

Virginia striatula

Harmless

Scarletsnake

Cemophora coccinea

Harmless

Mudsnake

Farancia abacura

Harmless

Smooth Earthsnake

Virginia valeriae

Harmless

Southeastern Crowned Snake

Tantilla coronata

Harmless

Western Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Harmless

Eastern Milksnake

Lampropeltis triangulum

Harmless

Common Coachwhip

Masticophis flagellum

Harmless

Pygmy Rattlesnake

Sistrurus miliarius

▲ Venomous

Southern Hognose Snake

Heterodon simus

Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Richland County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Richland County, South Carolina?

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

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

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

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

The Plain-bellied Watersnake is the most frequently reported snake in Richland County, South Carolina, based on verified wildlife observations.

What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Richland 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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