Are there crocodiles in South Carolina?
Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.
On this page
Not established.
The alligator is the only native crocodilian. USGS NAS lists an American crocodile record for SC as a nonindigenous occurrence; that is an occurrence record, not a resident population claim.
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources: “…it is the only crocodilian native to South Carolina.” Source
More official answers for South Carolina
Are there alligators in South Carolina?
Yes. The American alligator is the only crocodilian native to South Carolina; SREL says alligators are restricted to the Coastal Plain. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Are there rattlesnakes in South Carolina?
Yes. Three: timber/canebrake, eastern diamondback, pigmy. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Are there copperheads in South Carolina?
Yes. SCDNR calls the copperhead the most common venomous snake in the state, found throughout. SCDNR and South Carolina Wildlife Magazine
Are there cottonmouths in South Carolina?
Yes. Sandhills and coastal plain; not the piedmont or mountains. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Are there coral snakes in South Carolina?
Yes, but rare. Present but rare to very uncommon. SCDNR and South Carolina Wildlife Magazine
Where the American crocodile lives in the US
- Native or listed
- Nonnative or not established
- No official record in our data
- 1–9
- 10–99
- 100–999
- 1,000+
Where official sources do confirm it
Official sources confirm the American crocodile in Florida.
- Florida: “The Florida population of this native species is now classified as threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.” Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
What else it could be
Photo: Hillebrand Steve, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons American alligator
Alligator: darker skin, broad rounded snout, fourth lower tooth hidden with the mouth closed, usually in fresh water. Crocodile: lighter skin, narrow triangular snout, tooth visible, coastal brackish or salt water.
If you see one in South Carolina
Keep your distance and do not try to catch or handle it. Alligator and other wildlife emergencies, injured manatees: SCDNR Operation Game Thief 1-800-922-5431. Herp questions: [email protected], (843) 527-8448. SCDNR does not remove nuisance snakes; it keeps a list of wildlife removal specialists. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Other questions about South Carolina
Sources
- American Alligator. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (2)
“…it is the only crocodilian native to South Carolina.”
“For alligator and other wildlife emergencies, contact Operation Game Thief: 1-800-922-5431”
- Frequently Asked Questions about Reptile and Amphibians. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. page footer 2020; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“The six venomous species are the coral snake, pigmy rattlesnake, cottonmouth (aka water moccasin), copperhead, canebrake or timber rattlesnake, and the eastern diamondback rattlesnake.”
- Venomous Snakes of South Carolina (poster). SCDNR and South Carolina Wildlife Magazine. SCDNR 03CE4028 3/03; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (2)
“The copperhead is South Carolina’s most common venomous snake.”
“Coral snakes can occur in a wide range of habitats; however, they are never found commonly anywhere.”
- Upstate Snakes: Some Frequently Asked Questions. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. page footer 2020; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“In South Carolina, cottonmouths typically live in the sandhills and coastal plain regions, but do not enter the piedmont nor mountain regions of the state.”