Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission: There are 38 species of snakes in North Carolina and most are harmless to people.
This page lists 41 snakes: all from N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's 2025 SWAP Appendix 3 Table 3-7 REPTILES SGCN and Priority Species List. 6 are venomous by official accounts: Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnake, Copperhead, Eastern Coral Snake, Eastern Cottonmouth, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake and Timber Rattlesnake. N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission gives a total of 38; the 41 here are the snakes official sources name one by one.
Official sources label these snakes venomous in North Carolina. Venomous snakes in North Carolina has more on each one.
Sistrurus miliarius miliarius
Venom: “This venomous snake feeds on lizards, mice, and frogs.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Agkistrodon contortrix
Venom: “The copperhead is the most common and widespread venomous snake in North Carolina.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Micrurus fulvius
Venom: “The beautiful, highly venomous coral snake takes its name from its bright colors, reminiscent of those found in some species of coral.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Agkistrodon piscivorus
Venom: “The venomous cottonmouth, like all pit vipers, has a facial pit for sensing infrared radiation (heat), but unlike rattlesnakes, it lacks a rattle.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Crotalus adamanteus
Venom: “Though venomous, the snake prefers to escape first.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Crotalus horridus
Venom: “They are venomous and are most common in the mountains and Coastal Plain.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
From A to Z. Some harmless snakes mimic venomous ones: leave every snake alone.
Nerodia fasciata fasciata
Venom: “Harmless (Nerodia fasciata)” (NC State Extension)
Nerodia taxispilota
Venom: “They are often mistaken for cottonmouths because of brown skin with squarish blotches running down the center of their back, but they are non-venomous.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Seminatrix pygaea paludis
Venom: “As a defense, they release a musk, but rarely bite, and are non-venomous.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Nerodia sipedon williamengelsi
Venom: “This non-venomous watersnake is reddish brown and usually cross-banded.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Range: In populations on the Outer Banks and near brackish water, individuals have a dark-brown base color with black cross bands; these individuals are considered a subspecies known as the Carolina water snake (Nerodia sipedon williamengelsi), which is listed as a species of special concern in North Carolina.
Masticophis flagellum flagellum
Venom: “The snake is non-venomous.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Lampropeltis triangulum temporalis
Venom: “They eat small snakes, lizards, and mice and are non-venomous.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Elaphe guttata
Venom: “The corn snake is non-venomous” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis
Venom: “The eastern garter snake is non-venomous” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Heterodon platirhinos
Venom: “They are non-venomous with enlarged teeth for swallowing.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Lampropeltis getula
Venom: “The snake is non-venomous and active during the day.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Lampropeltis triangulum
Venom: “They eat small snakes, lizards, and mice and are non-venomous.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Farancia abacura abacura
Venom: “This non-venomous watersnake has a shiny black body and red bars extending on both sides.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Thamnophis sauritus sauritus
Venom: “It eats small frogs and salamanders and is non-venomous.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Virginia valeriae valeriae
Venom: “Harmless (Virginia valeriae)” (NC State Extension)
Carphophis amoenus amoenus
Venom: “Harmless (Carphophis amoenus)” (NC State Extension)
Regina rigida rigida
Venom: “The non-venomous watersnake eats primarily crayfish with teeth that can hold onto the hard shells.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Lampropeltis rhombomaculata
Venom: “These non-venomous snakes are strong constrictors.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Coluber constrictor constrictor
Venom: “This non-venomous snake is solid black with a white chin.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Storeria dekayi
Venom: “The snake eats snails, slugs and earthworms and is non-venomous.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus
Venom: “The Northern pine snake is non-venomous” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Diadophis punctatus edwardsii
Venom: “The ring-necked snake is non-venomous.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Opheodrys aestivus aestivus
Venom: “Harmless (Opheodrys aestivus)” (NC State Extension)
Cemophora coccinea copei
Venom: “Harmless (Cemophora coccinea)” (NC State Extension)
Nerodia sipedon sipedon
Venom: “This non-venomous watersnake is reddish brown and usually cross-banded.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Lampropeltis getula sticticeps
Venom: “The snake is non-venomous and active during the day.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Rhadinaea flavilata
Venom: “This non-venomous snake feeds on lizards and frogs.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Range: Pine woods snakes can reach 15 inches in length and occur in the southeastern coastal plain, with separate populations in the sandhills and on Roanoke and Bodie islands on the Outer Banks.
Regina septemvittata
Venom: “This non-venomous watersnake is gray with one light stripe on each side.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Farancia erytrogramma erytrogramma
Venom: “This non-venomous watersnake eats amphibians like salamanders and tadpoles.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Elaphe obsoleta
Venom: “The rat snake is non-venomous” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Storeria occipitomaculata
Venom: “This non-venomous snake eats slugs.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Nerodia erythrogaster
Venom: “Red-bellied Watersnake Non-venomous watersnake” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Virginia striatula
Venom: “Living underground in rotting logs, this non-venomous snake eats earthworms and soft-bodied insects.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Lampropeltis elapsoides
Venom: “Harmless (Lampropeltis elapsoides)” (NC State Extension)
Tantilla coronata
Venom: “Harmless (Tantilla coronata)” (NC State Extension)
Range: They are most common in the southeastern coastal plain and sandhills, but they also occur over much of the piedmont and in portions of the southeastern mountains and foothills of North Carolina.
Heterodon simus
Venom: “These non-venomous snakes are found in sandy fields and woods of the Coastal Plain and Sandhills region.” (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Milk Snake Non-venomous
Copperhead Venomous
The copperhead's head is coppery with no marks; the milksnake's head is light with brownish marks (Pennsylvania). Tennessee: copperhead has a copper-colored, unmarked head and triangular shapes on the side of the body. Pennsylvania says the eastern milksnake is the snake most often killed by mistake for a copperhead. Belly colour is not used here: Pennsylvania's own pages describe the copperhead belly two different ways (uniform cream in one account, mottled white to gray in another).
Milk Snake Non-venomous
Corn Snake Non-venomous
Tennessee: the corn snake has a spear-point pattern between the eyes and a striped underside of the tail; milksnakes lack striping under the tail. Both have checkerboard bellies, so the belly alone does not separate them.
Milk Snake Non-venomous
Scarlet Kingsnake Non-venomous
Scarlet kingsnake has a red snout and red, black and yellow bands in which red touches black but not yellow; its pattern continues onto the belly (Tennessee). Louisiana: the snout is always red and the rings continue across the belly. Tennessee still lists it as a milksnake subspecies (L. t. elapsoides); Louisiana lists it as Lampropeltis elapsoides.
Copperhead Venomous
Cottonmouth (water moccasin) Venomous
Also venomous. Juvenile cottonmouths have many dark spots and speckles inside their dark crossbands (copperhead bands have none or at most one). The Florida Museum says adult Florida cottonmouths are typically uniformly dark, but SCDNR says cottonmouth color ranges from dark brown and black to olive drab and yellow-tan, so a pale snake is not ruled out. The copperhead's eye is not obscured by the dark facial band typical of the cottonmouth. Cottonmouths are almost always associated with wetlands.
Copperhead Venomous
Eastern milk snake Non-venomous
Milk snake blotches are outlined in black and widest across the middle of the back; belly is a black-and-white checkerboard (copperhead belly is mottled white to gray).
Copperhead Venomous
Corn snake Non-venomous
Longer and slender with smooth, shiny scales, an elongated head and square, black-outlined blotches; more red, orange and yellow.
Photos show typical adults; individuals vary. Never get close to compare.
Records of snakes in North Carolina peak in April to July. They show when people record snakes, not how many there are (about month bars).
Call 911 or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Poison Help connects you to your local poison center, any time of day.
Official advice from N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, US Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Poison Help and CDC / NIOSH:
NC Wildlife Helpline (NCWRC), Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.: 866-318-2401; email [email protected]. Aquatic invasive species: NCWRC Aquatic Nuisance Species Reporting Tool (https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/710337fbf02140599fd788ebfdd72744). Rattlesnake sightings: [email protected] or HerpMapper. Wildlife violations / alligator emergencies: 800-662-7137. Yellow-legged hornet: www.ncagr.gov/YLH (NCDA&CS). N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
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
“It is one of North Carolina’s most rarely encountered terrestrial vertebrates, and is state listed as Endangered.”
Yes. The cottonmouth (water moccasin) occurs in the coastal plain and sandhills. NC State Extension
“The cottonmouth (sometimes called water moccasin) can reach a length of 71 inches and occurs in the coastal plain and sandhills of North Carolina.”
Yes. Copperheads occur across North Carolina except the Outer Banks (Extension); NCWRC lists abundance as statewide. NC State Extension
“They are the most common venomous snake in the state and occur across North Carolina, except for the Outer Banks.”
The species list comes from 2025 SWAP Appendix 3 Table 3-7 REPTILES SGCN and Priority Species List (2025 WAP Revision Taxa Team Evaluations) (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, 2025 NC State Wildlife Action Plan (approved by USFWS January 2026)).
Venom labels come only from official sources and link to them; "Not stated" never means harmless. How labels work.
Want a paper copy? Print the North Carolina snakes ID chart.
“There are 38 species of snakes in North Carolina and most are harmless to people.”
“The copperhead is the most common and widespread venomous snake in North Carolina.”
“The pupils are vertical and elliptical, and there is a heat sensory pit between the eye and nostril.”
“The great majority of bites can be prevented by exercising common sense: copperheads should be left alone.”
“Copperheads mate in the spring and fall. Females give birth to 3 to 14 (up to 20) live young during the late summer or early fall.”
“Harmless (Nerodia fasciata)”
“Harmless (Virginia valeriae)”
“Harmless (Carphophis amoenus)”
“Harmless (Opheodrys aestivus)”
“Harmless (Cemophora coccinea)”
“Harmless (Lampropeltis elapsoides)”
“Harmless (Tantilla coronata)”
“They are often mistaken for cottonmouths because of brown skin with squarish blotches running down the center of their back, but they are non-venomous.”
“As a defense, they release a musk, but rarely bite, and are non-venomous.”
“This venomous snake feeds on lizards, mice, and frogs.”
“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.”
“This non-venomous watersnake is reddish brown and usually cross-banded.”
“The snake is non-venomous.”
“They eat small snakes, lizards, and mice and are non-venomous.”
“The corn snake is non-venomous”
“The beautiful, highly venomous coral snake takes its name from its bright colors, reminiscent of those found in some species of coral.”
“Still, these snakes should never be handled or in any way molested or harmed.”
“It is one of North Carolina’s most rarely encountered terrestrial vertebrates, and is state listed as Endangered.”
“Some nonvenomous snakes are often misidentified as coral snakes, especially the Scarlet Kingsnake”
“The venomous cottonmouth, like all pit vipers, has a facial pit for sensing infrared radiation (heat), but unlike rattlesnakes, it lacks a rattle.”
“The head is distinctly wider than the neck, with a dark bar on both sides from the eye to the angle of the jaw. … the pupils of the eyes are vertically elliptical.”
“…the cottonmouth derives its common name from the white color of the inside of its mouth, which is revealed when the snake gapes to defend itself.”
“Females give birth to a litter of 3–14 young between August and October.”
“Though venomous, the snake prefers to escape first.”
“The eastern garter snake is non-venomous”
“They are non-venomous with enlarged teeth for swallowing.”
“The snake is non-venomous and active during the day.”
“This non-venomous watersnake has a shiny black body and red bars extending on both sides.”
“It eats small frogs and salamanders and is non-venomous.”
“The non-venomous watersnake eats primarily crayfish with teeth that can hold onto the hard shells.”
“These non-venomous snakes are strong constrictors.”
“This non-venomous snake is solid black with a white chin.”
“The snake eats snails, slugs and earthworms and is non-venomous.”
“The Northern pine snake is non-venomous”
“The ring-necked snake is non-venomous.”
“This non-venomous snake feeds on lizards and frogs.”
“This non-venomous watersnake is gray with one light stripe on each side.”
“This non-venomous watersnake eats amphibians like salamanders and tadpoles.”
“The rat snake is non-venomous”
“Their relatively slender bodies are shaped like a loaf of bread in a cross section”
“This non-venomous snake eats slugs.”
“Red-bellied Watersnake Non-venomous watersnake”
“Living underground in rotting logs, this non-venomous snake eats earthworms and soft-bodied insects.”
“These non-venomous snakes are found in sandy fields and woods of the Coastal Plain and Sandhills region.”
“They are venomous and are most common in the mountains and Coastal Plain.”
“The best plan is to leave the snake alone and give it plenty of space.”
“The N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission does not send people out to trap and remove snakes.”
“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.”
“Seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible”
“The warm weather means more snakes will start to show up along trails, in the woods, crossing roads and in our yards.”
“The Wildlife Helpline is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call: 866-318-2401”
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