Hello, Adventurers! Welcome back to the Coastal Expeditions blog! If this is your first time visiting our blog, we’re happy to have you here. We are all about nature, adventure, and making the most out of the beautiful outdoors of South Carolina. If you enjoy all things hiking, paddling, kayaking, and spending time outdoors, you’ve come to the right place! Here on the blog, we dive deep into different habitats, excursions, conservation efforts, and nature programs. Our site is filled with interactive maps, destination guides, and educational resources. Speaking of educational resources, The Outdoor School consists of afterschool programs, weekly camps, school field trips, and more! We offer hands-on workshops taught by highly-trained guides on wilderness skills, birding, identifying native plants, sustainability, kayaking, and camping. Basically, anything you want to learn about, we teach! If you haven’t already, we encourage you to take a look around our site to learn more about our offerings. Our last article discussed eco-friendly hiking tips and ways to be sustainable while traveling. Today, we’ll be talking about some of our slithery friends found in the Lowcountry: Snakes!

With springtime fast approaching, many of us will be spending more time outside. Many animals, including snakes, will begin to be more active in South Carolina and surrounding areas. During the winter months, these cold-blooded creatures go into a state called brumation, which is alternating periods of partial dormancy or partial sleep. In other words, they become less active, settling into a hiding spot to protect themselves from the cold. Think of it as hibernating, but not in the traditional way that we know it. But as the ground thaws and the heat returns, so do the snakes. According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, snakes are typically active from March to October when the weather is warmer. There are 38 types of snakes in South Carolina, with only six of them being venomous. 

The most common types of snakes in South Carolina are:

• Black racers – These fairly slender, black snakes are mostly found in forest edges, old fields, and wetlands. They are only active during daylight hours. They usually flee rapidly when approached, but will sometimes attempt to strike.

• Brown snakes – Like their name, these smaller snakes are usually brown, but can have yellow, red, or gray-ish brown tints. These snakes are frequently found in residential areas and are sometimes called “city snakes”. They hide under leaves and logs, and are sometimes active in the evening or at night.

• Corn snakes – These snakes are usually orange, reddish-brown, brown, or gray with black outlined brown or red blotches. They are often mistaken for venomous copperheads. They are typically found in terrestrial habitats that are relatively dry and exposed, with most of their time being spent underground. They can be found in suburban and agricultural areas, around old buildings and barns, and are active both day and night.

• Eastern garter snakes – These snakes are usually distinguished by three yellow stripes down a dark body. They are found in a wide range of habitats including meadows, woodlands, marshes, and hillsides. They prefer moist, grassy environments and are typically found by lakes or streams. Garter snakes can be active day or night and are found under boards and debris. They can be active throughout the year, including warm winter days. 

• Eastern king snakes – These large, shiny black snakes have white or yellow chain-link markings. They dwell in hardwood or pine forests, swamps, tidal wetlands, farmlands, and suburban areas. These strong constrictors are active almost exclusively in daylight, with summer mornings being the most prevalent. 

• Rough green snakes – These snakes are fairly long, slender, and– you guessed it– bright green. They spend most of their time climbing and blending in with vegetation. They are most commonly found in open forests and edge habitats, and along the margins of wetlands and rivers. At night, they can be found sleeping in shrubs. 

• Non-venomous water snakes – There are a variety of these semi-aquatic snakes. They are frequently found in temporary wetlands and ditches, but can also be found in reservoirs. Although non-venomous, some water snakes can deliver a painful bite.

• Rat snakes – These large snakes may vary in colors like black, yellow, and gray. They dwell in a variety of habitats including forests and swamps. They are commonly found in abandoned buildings and are great climbers that can scale brick walls. 

As for venomous snakes, the six types found in South Carolina are:

• Copperhead – This is the state’s most common venomous snake. Their color varies from pink to coppery-tan with dark brown hourglass-shaped bands across their body. They dwell in a wide range of habitats including mountain coves, forests, and swamp forests.
• Coral snake – This snake is a member of the family of snakes called elapids, which includes some of the world’s deadliest snakes such as cobras. They have bright red, yellow, and black bands that alternate down their body. They are secretive and spend much of their time underground.
• Cottonmouth – Sometimes known as the water moccasin, this large snake can be found in wetlands and swamps. Their coloration varies from dark brown and black to olive drab and yellow-tan. They are commonly found in Carolina bays and lake edges. When encountered by humans, the Cottonmouth will stand its ground with its mouth open wide.
• Pigmy Rattlesnake – These are small snakes varying in color from charcoal gray to light gray and pink with dark blotches down the back. Their tiny sets of rattles are hard to see and can often not be heard. They are found throughout the state, excluding mountains, and are seldom found far from freshwater.
• Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake – This is South Carolina’s largest venomous snake, ranging from 3 to 5 feet in length and occasionally surpassing 6 feet. With a series of diamond-shaped markings down the back, these predators are often found in flatwoods, rolling pine-hills, and maritime grasslands on the lower coast. 
• Timber Rattlesnake – These snakes have two different “forms”: the mountain form (timber rattlesnake) and the piedmont-coastal form (canebrake rattlesnake). The timber form can vary in color from yellow to black, with dark cross-bands across the back. The canebrake is typically light tan but can vary from pink to light orange. These ambush predators are most active in the warmer months. 

Although many people are scared of snakes, they provide an important service to the environment by keeping rodents and other pest populations under control. A general rule to follow is to keep your distance if you spot a snake, whether on a hike or in your backyard. Most bites occur when people get too close to snakes. When hiking, wear boots and long pants, and stay out of tall grass. In most cases, hikers won’t come across a snake. But if you do happen to find yourself in a slithery situation, there are some tips to prevent bites and keep yourself as safe as possible! A good way to prevent snake bites is to avoid hiking in areas that are known to be snake territory, especially at night, when some snakes may be active and it is harder to see them. Go through open trails rather than bushes and loose rocks. Another helpful idea might be to stay on designated hiking trails– Trail markers are there for a reason. 

Although your chances of being bitten by a snake, especially a venomous one, are slim, it is always good to be prepared in case something does happen. 

• If you think you have been bitten, get help immediately, especially if you are unsure about the type of snake that bit you. 
• Know what to look for: Snake bites will often cause swelling and moderate to severe pain. Sometimes, you can see the bite mark of two fangs left behind. Skin discoloration and twitching skin on the area can indicate a venomous bite. Venomous bites can also cause nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. 
• Once you have identified the snake bite, you should seek help immediately. Call 911 or get to the nearest hospital or clinic. If waiting for emergency services,  keep calm and still. 
• Keep the bite below the level of the heart– Do not elevate!
• Don’t do anything to the bite area. Do not apply a constriction band or tourniquet, as you may cut off circulation. 

Snakes are fascinating creatures, and are mostly harmless, so long as you keep your distance, just like any wild animal. By taking precautions such as sticking to the trail and simply leaving snakes alone, most hikers will never get bit on the trail. We hope that you found this article informative and helpful! As always, we thank you for reading and we hope to see you back on our blog soon! If you’re looking to explore the Lowcountry, check out our offerings on our website to find the adventure which suits you best! Our tours are led by knowledgeable, approachable naturalists and sea captains who are eager to answer your questions! Until next time, readers. Get out there and explore! Adventure awaits!