Snakes in Sumter 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.

Every snake recorded in Sumter County

Northern Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon piscivorus

▲ Venomous

Banded Watersnake

Nerodia fasciata

Harmless

Eastern Ratsnake

Pantherophis alleghaniensis

Harmless

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Common Wormsnake

Carphophis amoenus

Harmless

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

▲ Venomous

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Red-bellied Snake

Storeria occipitomaculata

Harmless

Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus

▲ Venomous

Red Cornsnake

Pantherophis guttatus

Harmless

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Harmless

Rough Greensnake

Opheodrys aestivus

Harmless

Eastern Hognose Snake

Heterodon platirhinos

Harmless

Brown Watersnake

Nerodia taxispilota

Harmless

Scarletsnake

Cemophora coccinea

Harmless

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

Western Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

Harmless

Eastern Kingsnake

Lampropeltis getula

Harmless

Mudsnake

Farancia abacura

Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Sumter County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Sumter County, South Carolina?

Yes. 3 venomous snake species have verified records in Sumter County, South Carolina, including Northern Cottonmouth, Eastern Copperhead, Timber Rattlesnake. Most snakes in Sumter County, South Carolina, however, are harmless.

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

10+ snake species have verified records in Sumter County, South Carolina, of which 3 are venomous.

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

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

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

Nearby counties