Snakes in North Carolina

North Carolina has six venomous and around 32 non-venomous species living in the state. Though the eastern coral snake, and the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, possesses a more powerful and toxic venom, they aren’t common here. The most commonly encountered venomous snake in North Carolina is the eastern copperhead, inhabiting woodlands and rocky slopes.
Of the rattlers, the timber rattlesnake dwells along the mountainous terrain of the western parts of North Carolina. The yellow phase (yellow or tan body with brown or black crossbands) is more common than the black phase. Most snakes in North Carolina become active between March and April while hibernating during winter.
The largest snake here is the Coachwhip, with a length of 42-60 inches, closely followed by the black rat snake, around 40-70 inches. The eastern worm snake is the smallest, measuring 7-14 inches.

Groups	Venomous	Non-venomous
Rattlesnakes	Timber Rattlesnake Pygmy Rattlesnake Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake	–
Coral Snakes	Eastern Coral Snake	–
Pit Vipers	Cottonmouth	–
Water Snakes	–	Plain-bellied Water Snake Common Water Snake Banded Water Snake Brown Water Snake
Garter Snakes	–	Eastern Ribbon Snake Eastern Garter Snake
Whip Snakes	–	Coachwhip
Kingsnakes	–	Eastern Milk Snake Eastern Kingsnake Scarlet Kingsnake Mole Kingsnake
Hognose Snakes	–	Eastern Hognose Southern Hognose
Cemophora	–	Scarlet Snake
Carphophis	–	Eastern Worm Snake
Liodytes	–	Black Swamp Snake Glossy Crayfish Snake
Coluber	–	Eastern Racer
Storeria	–	Red Belly Snake DeKay’s Brown Snake
Opheodrys	–	Rough Green Snake
Farancia	–	Rainbow Snake Mud Snake
Pantherophis	–	Black Rat Snake Corn Snake
Tantilla	–	Southeastern Crowned Snake
Virginia	–	Rough Earth Snake Smooth Earth Snake
Pituophis	–	Pine Snake
Diadophis	–	Ring-necked Snake
Rhadinaea	–	Pine Woods Snake
Regina	–	Queen Snake