Written By Kathy Gibbons
Photography by Kathy Gibbons

on’t like snakes? They’re not very cute and not at all snuggly. Well, a world without snakes would be a world with too many lizards, mice and other little critters. Imagine how many frogs and insects there would be. Snakes are such a vital part of its ecosystem and plays an essential role in nature’s intricate predator-prey web. Did you know that some snakes eat other snakes? Eastern black king snakes are black with light yellow or white-like cross bands. They grow to be 4 feet in length and their menu includes ...other snakes; some of which are venomous. They are immune to the venom of rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, and copperheads. Hey, I wouldn’t mind having a king snake living in my yard. I think I’ll take two.

Here in South Carolina we have thirty-eight species of snakes, six of which are venomous. It is very important to learn to identify those six. Five of the six venomous snakes are “pit vipers” (family viperidae:venomous) whose fangs fold up against the roof of their mouth, such as copperheads, cottonmouths (a.k.a water moccasin) and 3 rattlesnakes (the pigmy, the diamondback, and the canebrake which is also known as the timber rattlesnake.) The other venomous snake is the coral snake, which is a member of the cobra family.

Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) have reputations of being mean tempered and have been known to chase people down. This is a myth. I have come across many cottonmouths here in the Lowcountry and I have yet to be chased. This snake, however, is the most common venomous snake in the area. They are found in every type of wetland habitat including salt marshes. They swim with their head up out of the water and can easily bite their prey while underwater. Adults are heavy bodied and reach lengths of 3 to 4 feet!

The cottonmouth underbelly is a combination of dull yellow and brown. The surface of these particular snakes are usually drab brown or olive with darker cross bands that are sometimes hard to see. Juveniles have much more distinct patterns, bands, and distinct colors. The young also have a yellow tip at the end of their tail and all have a brown mask-like band around their eyes. When they feel threatened they will stand their ground and open their mouths wide, which appears to be a milky white color. Once I saw that I agreed that “cottonmouth” was a good name. I took a photo of it and I went on my way (and so did he, and he didn’t chase me.)

Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) adults usually are two to three feet long. Their head is solid brown, their backs are light brown or pinkish with darker, saddle shaped cross bands. They blend in very well with the leaf covered forest floor. Like young cottonmouths, baby copperheads have a bright yellow tail tip that is used to lure small prey.

Pigmy Rattlesnakes (Sistrurus miliarius) are heavy bodied and average about one foot long (give or take a couple inches.) They are dull gray with dark gray or brown blotches on the back and sides. These are so small and well camouflaged that people rarely see them and the small size of the rattles makes it difficult to hear. They feed on snakes, frogs, mice and lizards. I’ve been snake hunting in the Lowcountry for years and have never come across a pigmy rattlesnake.

Canebrake rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) (a.k.a Timber rattlesnakes) are common in this area. Heavy bodied adults average three to four feet and occasionally five feet long. I emphasize that word “occasionally” because, while walking along with my brother, during a nature photo shoot in the Ace Basin I found one that was easily five feet long. There it was, a big canebrake rattler about six feet ahead of us laying right in our path. We stopped dead in our tracks, and there was no doubt he had seen us too. Canebrake snakes usually do not use their rattles for the reason that they don’t want to call attention to themselves. That’s the scary part, they don’t always rattle before they strike, either. After catching my breath, I took a few steps back, enlisted my composure, pulled out my Cannon A E 1 and shot an entire roll of film. The excitement was intense. My first canebrake rattlesnake. I nicknamed him, “Rattly.”

The eastern diamondback (Crotalus adamanteus) rattlesnake is the largest venomous snake in North America and the largest rattlesnake in the world. Diamondback adults are three to five feet long and can grow to six feet or so and weigh four to five pounds, although a few eight-foot, ten-pound giants have been documented. Their basic color is brown- light or dark- with the unquestionable diamond pattern on back and a dark solid tail with rattles. I have heard they could be without rattles due to them breaking off- I don’t know if its true, and it really doesn’t matter. If you come across a diamondback rattlesnake, chances are you’re not going to be interested in the small detail. You would most likely be leaving in a hurry. This snake, because of its huge size and potent venom, is considered by some to be the most dangerous snake in the United States.

Eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius) adults reach about two feet in length. They have red, yellow and black rings encircling the body and always have a black nose. It’s a very pretty slim line snake, but very deadly. Coral snakes, which belong to the same family as Old World cobras and kraits, have short, fixed fangs in the front of the mouth. The potential seriousness of a bite from this species warrants a universal warning not to pick up a snake in this region of the country-no matter how pretty-without being certain of its identity. They feed on small snakes and lizards. No- I’ve never found one on any of my adventures.

Snakes can swim from island to island and can also climb walls and trees. Coiling increases the distance a snake can strike, but they do not need to coil before striking. The most common form of defense by snakes, like other reptiles, is avoidance. At the first sign of danger, they usually flee. Any other defensive behavior by a snake, such as biting, striking, and so on, is usually a last resort. Snakes also shed their skin in order to grow. Before they shed, their eyes look cloudy and their vision is impaired. Some snakes lay eggs, and some give birth to live young. Breeding occurs during spring or fall.

A snake has a forked tongue that is used to “sample” microscopic particles from the air that are then put into a special organ in the roof of the mouth. This structure, called the Jacobson’s organ, is highly sensitive to chemicals, like the nose of a bloodhound. But rather than smelling, as we do, snakes “taste” the air. A snake flicking its tongue at you is merely trying to figure out what you are.

Another myth is that mothballs keep snakes away- No way. The amount of mothballs needed to repel snakes would keep anything away. You wouldn’t even be able to breathe. (Sorry, there goes the mothball stock)

We need to educate out kids about the dangers of venomous snakes- don’t go near them, don’t throw things at them- just stay away. Always know what to look for and be able to identify them.

The next time you see a snake in your yard, please don’t kill it. It’s a snake, I know and I don’t want venomous snakes in my yard either but remember the good king snake that eats venomous snakes. We need them, and like it or not we need snakes in our world. Most likely, the snake in your yard is just passing through and it doesn’t want any trouble. Snakes are interesting and ingenious creatures.

I am not a herpetologist or expert in snakes. In 1997 when I moved to Lowcountry I fell in love with the natural beauty of the land. This love has lured me through the marshes, woods and forests with my camera. I wanted to learn and understand the outdoors and to teach myself the warning signs of danger. So with a little knowledge you can turn fear into respect.

Be Nice & Stay Safe