Here you’ll find a list of indigenous South Carolina non-venomous snakes. Here, you can use this as a reference guide for snakes you may have seen in your area. If you need to know more about snakes and other nuisance wildlife, you can call The Snake Chaser anytime! For snake removal call The Snake Chaser today, or to keep snakes away from your home, ask about the all-natural product Russ developed to keep snakes away from areas of your choice.
Warning: Venomous snakes should not be approached, as their bite(s) can be harmful and/or potentially deadly! If you think you may be looking at a venomous snake, call The Snake Chaser, your professional reptile and nuisance wildlife removal service!
Black Racer
Most adults are solid colored, whereas juveniles might have specs or blotches. This is a very quick and lively snake which will be quick to flee, but will fight if cornered.
Corn Snake
A long slender with red or orange coloring with reddish blotches (colored this way particularly in the East). This snake climbs well, but will most likely be found on the ground, even underground in rodent burrows. Corn snakes are often mistaken for the venomous copperhead and killed, however, these snakes are very docile.
Eastern Hognose
These snakes can be intimidating when they flatten their heads, inflate their bodies with air, and hiss loudly. If this doesn’t scare off the assailant, then they will roll on their backs and “play dead” with its mouth open. It usually also has an upturned snout, hence the name. See our gallery for more pictures of Hognose snakes. By the way, Hognose snakes rarely, if ever, bite.
Southern Banded Water Snake
This snake usually has dark cross bands, often outlined in black and has a dark stripe from its eye to its jaw. Bands may be yellow, red, brown, or black, and you’ll find them in fresh water habitats.
Red Belly Water Snake
Look for a plain red belly and pale spots on the neck. Otherwise the body color may be brown, gray, or black. This snake is shy in nature.
Scarlet King Snake
If you see an orange-tipped nose, you can tell it's a non-venomous Scarlet King snake. The venomous coral snake has a black-tipped nose. This snake also mimics the colors of the venomous coral snake. They use their bright color patterns to trick predators into thinking they are poisonous. The Scarlet King Snake will often eat other snakes and lizards. The color bands go all the way around the body.
Eastern Garter Snake
Most common garter snakes have longitudinal stripes in yellow or orange down both sides of their bodies. They vary in color and be red, brown, or even green.
Eastern Ringneck Snake
The Eastern Ringneck snake has smooth scales and are black with a yellow or gold ring around the neck and a yellow belly. They are commonly confused with the Redbelly snake. Usually found in woody areas in ground debris.
