Snakes in South Carolina

South Carolina has around 45 snake species, seven of which are venomous. The eastern copperhead is the most venomous snake found throughout the state, mainly inhabiting deciduous forests.

Along the coastal areas of South Carolina, the Lowcountry has several snakes, mostly the venomous ones, alongside non-venomous species too like the rough green snake, corn snake, and eastern racer. On the other hand, the Greenville county of Upstate South Carolina is home to a few venomous species like the timber rattlesnake, copperhead, and pigmy rattlesnake. The non-venomous snakes like the black racer, scarlet snake, and scarlet kingsnake also inhabit the upstate region. 

Groups	Venomous	Non-venomous
Rattlesnakes	Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Timber Rattlesnake Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnake	–
Coral Snakes	–	Eastern Coral Snake
Pit Vipers	Eastern Copperhead Cottonmouth
Water Snakes	–	Plain-bellied Water Snake Banded Water Snake Florida Green Water Snake Midland Water Snake Common Watersnake Brown Water Snake
Garter Snakes	–	Eastern Garter Snake Eastern Ribbon Snake Peninsula Ribbon Snake
Whip Snakes	–	Eastern Coachwhip
Kingsnakes	–	Mole Kingsnake Scarlet Kingsnake Eastern Kingsnake Eastern Milk Snake
Hognose Snakes	–	Eastern Hognose Snake Southern Hognose Snake
Storeria	–	Northern Redbelly Snake Florida Redbelly Snake DeKay’s Brown Snake
Regina	–	Queen Snake
Opheodrys	–	Rough Green Snake
Carphophis	–	Eastern Worm Snake
Pituophis	–	Pine Snake
Pantherophis	–	Corn Snake Black Rat Snake Yellow Rat Snake
Diadophis	–	Northern Ringneck Snake Southern Ringneck Snake
Coluber	–	Eastern Racer
Cemophora	–	Scarlet Snake
Farancia	–	Eastern Mud Snake Rainbow Snake
Liodytes	–	Glossy Crayfish Snake Carolina Swamp Snake
Tantilla	–	Southeastern Crown Snake
Rhadinaea	–	Pine Woods Snake
Virginia	–	Eastern Smooth Earth Snake Rough Earth Snake