North Carolina has 6 venomous snakes named by official sources: Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnake, Copperhead, Eastern Coral Snake, Eastern Cottonmouth, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake and Timber Rattlesnake, as labelled by N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. This guide covers 10 animal groups from North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) lists and other official sources, with photos, venomous status and when each group is active.
Identification help has limits: a photo cannot confirm that an animal is safe. Watch from a distance and never handle a wild animal.
These are the animals official sources describe as venomous or as a risk to people in North Carolina, across 5 groups. The reason is given in the source's own terms.
Venomous: “The venomous cottonmouth, like all pit vipers, has a facial pit for sensing infrared radiation (heat), but unlike rattlesnakes, it lacks a rattle.”
Bites when handled or molested (not aggressive otherwise): “Snappers are so named because they defend themselves by snapping and biting aggressively when handled or otherwise molested.”
Disease exposure (handling precaution): “To reduce exposure to diseases, the Commission recommends that gloves be worn when in direct contact with any wild animal, including armadillos.”
May become bold or aggressive if habituated: “Once a coyote becomes habituated, it loses its natural wariness of people and may become bold or aggressive.”
45 nonnative animals are named on North Carolina's official lists (US Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database). The USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database records 2 nonnative animals in our groups with an established population in North Carolina.
Darker cells are the months with more open-licence observation records of each group in North Carolina (GBIF). They show when people see and record these animals, not how many there are. The current month, this month, is highlighted.
Most copperhead bites can be prevented by leaving them alone; many bites happen when people try to capture, kill or handle them. N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Venomous snakebite: seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible (CDC/NIOSH). CDC / NIOSH
Questions people ask about North Carolina wildlife
Are there alligators in North Carolina?
Yes. American alligators occur naturally in North Carolina, in patches along the coast; NC is the northern extent of their range. N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission · More
How many venomous snakes are in North Carolina?
Six venomous species: Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Pigmy Rattlesnake and Eastern Coral Snake. N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
What is the most common venomous snake in North Carolina?
The copperhead is the most common and widespread venomous snake in NC and probably accounts for over 90 percent of venomous snakebites in the state. N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Are there rattlesnakes in North Carolina?
Yes. Three species: Eastern Diamondback, Timber and Pigmy Rattlesnake, all protected under the N.C. Endangered Species Act. N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission · More
Are there coral snakes in North Carolina?
Rarely. The Eastern Coral Snake is state-listed Endangered and one of NC's most rarely encountered vertebrates; found only in the southeastern corner of the state. N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Are there water moccasins in North Carolina?
Yes. The cottonmouth (water moccasin) occurs in the coastal plain and sandhills. NC State Extension
Are there copperheads in North Carolina?
Yes. Copperheads occur across North Carolina except the Outer Banks (Extension); NCWRC lists abundance as statewide. NC State Extension
Are there black widow spiders in North Carolina?
Yes. The black widow is one of the two best-known poisonous spiders found in North Carolina. NC State Extension
Are there brown recluse spiders in North Carolina?
Rarely. They can be found in NC but are not very common; several spiders closely resemble them. NC State Extension · More
Are there scorpions in North Carolina?
Yes. The southern unstriped (southern devil) scorpion is found primarily in western NC; two striped scorpions have been introduced accidentally. NC State Extension · More
Yes. Nine-banded armadillos reached NC in the late 2000s; NCWRC lists confirmed observations across the state and asks the public to report sightings. N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission · More
Are there wolves in North Carolina?
Yes. Red wolves occur in Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington counties (federally endangered; state threatened). N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Yes. The black bear is the only bear species in NC; common in coastal and mountain regions, uncommon in the Piedmont. N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission · More
No. NC State Extension says the Asian giant ("murder") hornet is not in North Carolina (reviewed Aug. 21, 2024). Note: the same sentence said the yellow-legged hornet was not in NC; that part was superseded by NCDA&CS on 2026-07-27. NC State Extension
Are there sea turtles in North Carolina?
Yes. SWAP lists five sea turtles (loggerhead, green, leatherback, Kemp's ridley, hawksbill), all federally listed. N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Are there bats in North Carolina?
Yes. 17 bat species occur in NC; three are federally endangered and one federally threatened (NCWRC bat page). N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
“They are venomous and are most common in the mountains and Coastal Plain.”
Spiders in and Around Homes. NC State Extension (N.C. Cooperative Extension, NC State University). Publication date: Jan. 1, 2008; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (3)
“Black widow spider venom affects the nervous system.”
“The two best-known poisonous spiders found here are the black widow spider and the brown recluse.”
“Although brown recluse spiders can be found in North Carolina, they are simply not very common.”
Venomous Spiders (Outdoor Workers). CDC / NIOSH. archived copy, captured September 29, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“Venomous spiders found in the United States include the black widow and the brown recluse.”
“Snappers are so named because they defend themselves by snapping and biting aggressively when handled or otherwise molested.”
Red Imported Fire Ant in North Carolina. NC State Extension (N.C. Cooperative Extension, NC State University). Publication date: June 20, 2017; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (2)
“A small number of people are highly allergic to fire ant stings and requires immediate medical attention.”
“In North Carolina, imported fire ants can be found in at least 75 of our 100 counties”
Saddleback Caterpillar. NC State Extension (N.C. Cooperative Extension, NC State University). Publication date: Jan. 27, 2017; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“Some people are very sensitive to such stings and may require professional medical treatment.”
“American alligators occur naturally in North Carolina, inhabiting bay lakes, rivers, creeks, marshes, swamps and ponds, with local populations distributed in patches along the coast.”
“Be particularly cautious between dusk and dawn when alligators are most active.”
“…only six are venomous. Venomous snakes include the Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Pigmy Rattlesnake, and the Eastern Coral Snake.”
“The best plan is to leave the snake alone and give it plenty of space.”
“North Carolina is home to three rattlesnake species: the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake and Pigmy Rattlesnake.”
Snakes: Family Viperidae (AG-472-02). NC State Extension (N.C. Cooperative Extension, NC State University). Publication date: Aug. 21, 2019; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (2)
“The cottonmouth (sometimes called water moccasin) can reach a length of 71 inches and occurs in the coastal plain and sandhills of North Carolina.”
“They are the most common venomous snake in the state and occur across North Carolina, except for the Outer Banks.”
Scorpions in North Carolina. NC State Extension (N.C. Cooperative Extension, NC State University). Publication date: Oct. 1, 1984; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (2)
“…there is a species of scorpion found primarily in western North Carolina.”
“Scorpions tend to be more active at night”
Sharks (Species Profiles). N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Marine Fisheries. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“North Carolina is home to a variety of different shark species.”
Red Wolf (NCWRC species page). N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“Occurrence: Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Tyrrell, and Washington counties”
Black Bear (NCWRC species page). N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (2)
“Common in coastal and mountain regions of the state; uncommon in the Piedmont region”
“In North Carolina, den entry can occur as early as November or as late as January, though male bears in the coastal plain region may be active throughout the winter.”
Animals, Bites, and Stings (FAQ). U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Poison Help. archived copy, captured July 13, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (2)
“If you or someone you know are bitten by a snake, right away call Poison Help (1-800-222-1222), which connects you to your local poison center.”
“If you or someone you know has been bitten by a spider, call Poison Help (1-800-222-1222), which connects you to your local poison center, to find out more information.”
Venomous Snakes (Outdoor Workers). CDC / NIOSH. archived copy, captured October 1, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“Seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible”
“Spring and fall migration seasons offer the greatest diversity, while winter is ideal for spotting waterfowl along the coast and birds of prey across the state.”
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