Georgia, known for its diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity, is home to a variety of snake species, both venomous and non-venomous. Today, taking the Department of Natural Resources Division as a reference, we’ve compiled a list of snakes found in Georgia, along with their natural habitats and distinguishing characteristics.
Whether it’s curiosity or an assignment that brought you here, we promise an informative and enjoyable journey as we explore each snake in detail! Keep reading to be fascinated by the amazing creatures our world has to offer.
Non-Venomous Snakes in Georgia
1) Eastern Green Water snake
| Scientific Name | Nerodia floridana |
| Size | Around 2.5 to 3 feet (but can grow up to 4.5 feet) |
| Habitat | Prefers freshwater habitats such as rivers, streams, swamps, marshes, and lakes |
| Venom Status | The Eastern Green Water Snake is non-venomous. |
| Identification | A medium-sized, slender-bodied snake with a smooth and glossy appearance |
2) Brown Water snake
| Scientific Name | Nerodia taxispilota |
| Size | Can grow up to 4.5 feet |
| Habitat | Prefers areas such as swamps, marshes, ponds, and slow-moving streams. |
| Venom Status | The Brown Water Snake is non-venomous. |
| Identification | It has a stout and muscular body with a brown or reddish-brown coloration |
3) Plain-bellied Water snake
| Scientific Name | Nerodia erythrogaster |
| Size | Grows up to 4.5 feet |
| Habitat | They inhabit freshwater habitats such as rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. |
| Venom Status | The Plain-bellied Water snake is non-venomous. |
| Identification | It has a slender body with a pattern of alternating dark and light crossbands on its back. |
4) Banded Watersnake
| Scientific Name | Nerodia fasciata |
| Size | Around 2 to 4 feet |
| Habitat | Found in freshwater habitats such as swamps, marshes, streams, rivers, and lakes. |
| Venom Status | A non-venomous snake |
| Identification | They have a distinct pattern of dark brown or black bands that run across their body. |
5) Northern Watersnake
| Scientific Name | Nerodia sipedon |
| Size | Around 24 to 55 inches (some individuals can reach lengths of up to 70 inches) |
| Habitat | Commonly found in a variety of aquatic habitats including rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, and marshes. |
| Venom Status | It is a non-venomous species |
| Identification | They typically have a dark brown or grayish-brown base color with dark blotches or bands along their body. |
6) Queen Snake
| Scientific Name | Regina septemvittata |
| Size | 2 to 3 feet in length |
| Habitat | Commonly found in and around flowing waters such as streams and rivers, as well as lakes and other aquatic habitats. |
| Venom Status | The Queen Snake is non-venomous |
| Identification | Usually has olive green or brown on the upper body, with a series of dark blotches along the back. |
7) Striped Crayfish Snake
| Scientific Name | Liodytes alleni |
| Size | Grow to be around 12 to 20 inches |
| Habitat | Primarily aquatic and is usually found in freshwater environments such as streams, rivers, swamps, and marshes |
| Venom Status | It is a non-venomous species |
| Identification | It has stripes running along the length of its body, usually ranging from a reddish-brown to a dark brown or black color |
8) Glossy Crayfish Snake
| Scientific Name | Liodytes rigida |
| Size | Can grow to be around 16-31.5 inches |
| Habitat | The semi-aquatic snake prefers swamps, marshes, ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams. |
| Venom Status | It is a non-venomous snake |
| Identification | It has a dark brown or blackish coloration on its dorsal (upper) side, which may appear glossy. |
9) Black Swamp Snake
| Scientific Name | Liodytes pygaea |
| Size | 14 to 20 inches |
| Habitat | Found in wetlands such as swamps, marshes, and shallow water bodies. |
| Venom Status | It is a non-venomous snake |
| Identification | Black swamp snake has a dark body with lighter-colored scales on the belly. |
10) Brown Snake
| Scientific Name | Storeria dekayi |
| Size | Measures anywhere around 12 – 19.5 inches |
| Habitat | variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, marshes, and suburban areas. |
| Venom Status | Non-venomous snake |
| Identification | It is brown to gray with a light-colored stripe running through the center. |
11) Florida Brown Snake
| Scientific Name | Storeria victa |
| Size | 10 to 14 inches in length |
| Habitat | Found in a variety of habitats, including forests, wetlands, meadows, and gardens. |
| Venom Status | The Florida Brown Snake is a non-venomous species. |
| Identification | Light brown to reddish-brown or gray background, with dark brown or black flecks or streaks along the body. |
12) Red-bellied Snake
| Scientific Name | Storeria occipitomaculata |
| Size | 7 to 15 inches |
| Habitat | Woodland areas, grasslands, marshes, and wetlands. Also, are often found near bodies of water such as streams, ponds, and swamps. |
| Venom Status | Non-venomous species |
| Identification | Gray to brown upper body coloration with a reddish-brown stripe running down the back. |
13) Eastern Ribbon Snake
| Scientific Name | Thamnophis saurita |
| Size | Typically ranges from 16 to 35 inches in length |
| Habitat | Found in wetland habitats such as marshes, swamps, and the edges of ponds and streams. |
| Venom Status | The Eastern Ribbon Snake is non-venomous. |
| Identification | It has three distinct striped patterns. The central stripe is a bright yellow or light green color, while the two lateral stripes are dark brown or black. |
14) Common Garter Snake
| Scientific Name | Thamnophis sirtalis |
| Size | It can reach a length of 18 to 26 inches |
| Habitat | Various habitats including grasslands, forests, wetlands, meadows, and even urban areas. |
| Venom Status | The Common Garter Snake is a non-venomous species. |
| Identification | It has a dark background color with three longitudinal stripes running along the body. The stripes can be yellow, green, or brown |
15) Smooth Earth Snake
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/295056213083102098/
| Scientific Name | Virginia valeriae |
| Size | Typically ranges from 7 to 10 inches in length |
| Habitat | They prefer areas with loose soil or sand, and can often be found hiding under rocks, logs, or leaf litter. |
| Venom Status | The Smooth Earth Snake is a non-venomous species. |
| Identification | It has uniform gray or tan coloration on its dorsal side, with a lighter ventral side ranging from white to yellowish. |
16) Rough Earth Snake
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/796574252844223944/
| Scientific Name | Haldea striatula |
| Size | 7 to 10 inches in length |
| Habitat | Variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, grasslands, and marshes. |
| Venom Status | It is a non-venomous species of snake. |
| Identification | Brown, gray, or reddish dorsal body generally with no pattern. |
17) Eastern Hognose Snake
| Scientific Name | Heterodon platirhinos |
| Size | 20 and 33 inches (some individuals can grow up to 45 inches) |
| Habitat | Commonly found in open woodlands, grasslands, meadows, and fields. |
| Venom Status | The Eastern Hognose Snake is non-venomous |
| Identification | It is a medium-sized snake with a relatively thick body and slightly upturned snout. |
18) Southern Hognose Snake
| Scientific Name | Heterodon simus |
| Size | 20 to 45 inches |
| Habitat | Inhabits a variety of habitats including pine forests, sandy areas, woodlands, and grasslands. |
| Venom Status | It is a non-venomous species of snake. |
| Identification | It has a relatively large and flattened head, distinct from its neck. The snout is turned up and slightly pointed, resembling a pig’s snout. |
19) Ringneck Snake
| Scientific Name | Diadophis punctatus |
| Size | 25-38 cm in length |
| Habitat | Ringneck Snakes are primarily terrestrial but are also good climbers, often found under logs, rocks, or debris on the forest floor. |
| Venom Status | The Ringneck Snake is non-venomous. |
| Identification | Dark-colored body with a bright yellow or orange ring around its neck. |
21) Eastern Worm Snake
| Scientific Name | Carphophis amoenus |
| Size | 7 to 11 inches in length |
| Habitat | Forests, woodlands, grasslands, and even residential areas. They prefer moist environments with loose soil. |
| Venom Status | The Eastern Worm Snake is not venomous. |
| Identification | It has a smooth and glossy appearance without any distinct patterns or markings. |
21) Pine Woods Snake
| Scientific Name | Rhadinaea flavilata |
| Size | 12 to 20 inches in length |
| Habitat | The Pine Woods Snake is a secretive species and is often found near water sources such as swamps, marshes, and ponds. It prefers habitats with sandy or loamy soils, as well as areas with a dense layer of leaf litter for cover. |
| Venom Status | The Pine Woods Snake is non-venomous |
| Identification | It is a small to medium-sized snake with a brown or reddish-brown body. |
22) Mud Snake
| Scientific Name | Farancia abacura |
| Size | 40 to 54 inches (some individuals can grow up to 80 inches) |
| Habitat | Primarily inhabit freshwater environments such as swamps, marshes, and slow-moving streams or rivers. |
| Venom Status | The Mud Snake is non-venomous |
| Identification | Glossy, dark brown or black body with lighter-colored bands or blotches ranging from red to brown. |
23) Rainbow Snake
| Scientific Name | Farancia erytrogramma |
| Size | 4 to 6 feet in length |
| Habitat | Habitat includes damp environments such as swamps, marshes, wetlands, and slow-moving streams. |
| Venom Status | Rainbow Snakes are non-venomous |
| Identification | They have a base color of glossy black on their back with vivid bands of red, orange, yellow, and black on their belly, resembling the colors of a rainbow. |
24) Black Racer
| Scientific Name | Coluber constrictor |
| Size | 3 to 6 feet long on average, but some individuals may reach up to a staggering length of 8 feet. |
| Habitat | Black Racers are known to inhabit a wide range of habitats, including forests, grasslands, open fields, meadows, swamps, marshes, and even suburban areas. |
| Venom Status | The Black Racer is a non-venomous snake. |
| Identification | Slender and elongated solid black body shape, a narrow and elongated head with a slightly pointed snout and large round eyes |
25) Coachwhip
| Scientific Name | Masticophis flagellum |
| Size | 3 to 6 feet in length (some have grown up to 8 feet) |
| Habitat | Found in various habitats, including deserts, grasslands, scrublands, and woodland areas |
| Venom Status | The Coachwhip snake is non-venomous |
| Identification | They have a base color of brown or tan, with darker brown or blackish crossbands running along their bodies. |
26) Rough Green Snake
| Scientific Name | Opheodrys aestivus |
| Size | 20-32 inches in length |
| Habitat | Commonly found near water sources such as ponds, lakes, and streams. |
| Venom Status | Rough Green Snakes are non-venomous. |
| Identification | They can be identified by their vibrant green coloration on their upper body and pale yellow or whitish belly |
27) Corn Snake
| Scientific Name | Pantherophis guttatus |
| Size | 3 to 5 feet in length |
| Habitat | Corn Snakes are excellent climbers and can be found in trees, bushes, barns or sheds, grasslands, forests, pine flatwoods, and abandoned buildings. |
| Venom Status | Corn Snakes are non-venomous |
| Identification | They have a reddish or orange base color with rows of large, dark-colored blotches on their back and smaller blotches on their sides. |
28) Eastern Rat Snake
| Scientific Name | Pantherophis alleghaniensis |
| Size | around 3.5 to 6 feet, with some individuals growing even longer. |
| Habitat | Variety of habitats like forests, woodlands, grasslands, and suburban areas. |
| Venom Status | Eastern Rat Snakes are non-venomous |
| Identification | They are gray, brown, or black, with a light-colored belly. |
29) Gray Rat Snake
| Scientific Name | Pantherophis spiloides |
| Size | 36 to 72 inches in length, with some individuals exceeding 100 inches. |
| Habitat | Forests, fields, and suburban areas |
| Venom Status | Gray Rat Snakes are non-venomous. |
| Identification | They have a slender body with keeled scales and a pointed head. |
30) Pine Snake
| Scientific Name | Pituophis melanoleucus |
| Size | Pine Snakes can grow to be around 4 to 6 feet. Some individuals may reach lengths of up to 8 feet. |
| Habitat | They are excellent burrowers and can often be found in sandy soil or under debris. |
| Venom Status | Pine Snakes are non-venomous |
| Identification | They have a yellow or light brown body with large, dark blotches running down their back. |
31) Common Kingsnake
| Scientific Name | Lampropeltis getula |
| Size | 3 to 6 feet in length |
| Habitat | They are highly adaptable and can be found in urban environments, forests, grasslands, and rocky areas. |
| Venom Status | Common Kingsnakes are non-venomous. |
| Identification | They have a glossy black body sometimes with white or yellow bands, or a black body with thin white or yellow speckles. |
32) Black Kingsnake
| Scientific Name | Lampropeltis nigra |
| Size | Typically, 3 to 5 feet, some individuals may exceed 6 feet. |
| Habitat | Forests, woodlands, grasslands, rocky areas, and suburban regions. |
| Venom Status | Black Kingsnakes are non-venomous |
| Identification | They have a glossy black body with little to no pattern. |
33) Mole Kingsnake
| Scientific Name | Lampropeltis calligaste |
| Size | Typically ranges from 2 to 3 feet |
| Habitat | Found in wooded areas, grasslands, and agricultural fields in Georgia |
| Venom Status | Mole Kingsnakes are non-venomous |
| Identification | They have a pattern of dark blotches or bands on a light brown or reddish-brown body. |
34) Scarlet Kingsnake
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/854980310489143323/
| Scientific Name | Lampropeltis elapsoides |
| Size | Typically grows to a length of 14 to 20 inches |
| Habitat | Inhabits forested habitats, such as longleaf pine sandhills, woodlands, and grassy areas with vegetation. |
| Venom Status | The Scarlet Kingsnake is a non-venomous snake species. |
| Identification | Slender body and distinct alternating red, black, and yellow bands. |
35) Eastern Milk Snake
| Scientific Name | Lampropeltis triangulum |
| Size | 2 to 4 feet in length, some individuals can reach up to 5 feet. |
| Habitat | Open woodlands, bogs, swamps, woodland edges, marshes, lake shorelines, old fields, pastures, suburban parks, and gardens. |
| Venom Status | The Eastern Milk Snake is non-venomous |
| Identification | A distinctive pattern consisting of dark reddish-brown or black-bordered blotches on its body, often shaped like hourglasses. |
36) Scarlet Snake
| Scientific Name | Cemophora coccinea |
| Size | 10 to 20 inches |
| Habitat | Forested habitats, including pine forests and sandhill scrub habitats. |
| Venom Status | The Scarlet Snake is non-venomous. |
| Identification | Distinctive color pattern of red, black, and white bands with red bands usually being wider than the black and white bands. |
37) Southeastern Crowned Snake
| Scientific Name | Tantilla coronata |
| Size | 8-10 inches, some individuals can reach up to 13 inches. |
| Habitat | It prefers areas with dry soils and plenty of organic litter |
| Venom Status | The Southeastern Crowned Snake is a non-venomous |
| Identification | Slender body with brown or grayish coloration with dark brown or black blotches along its body. |
38) Florida Crowned Snake
| Scientific Name | Tantilla relicta |
| Size | 7-9 inches |
| Habitat | Found in well-drained sandhills |
| Venom Status | The Florida Crowned Snake is a non-venomous species. |
| Identification | It has a dark brown or black body with light-colored, yellowish, or cream-colored crossbands along its back. |
39) Eastern Indigo Snake
| Scientific Name | Drymarchon couperi |
| Size | 4.5- 5.2 feet |
| Habitat | Flatwoods, hammocks, dry glades, stream bottoms, sugarcane fields, riparian thickets, and sandy soils. |
| Venom Status | The Eastern Indigo Snake is non-venomous |
| Identification | It is known for its distinctive blue-black coloration. It also has a glossy appearance and smooth scales |
40) Brahminy Blind Snake (non-native)
| Scientific Name | Indotyphlops braminus |
| Size | 2 to 4 inches, with some individuals reaching up to 6 inches. |
| Habitat | Wet forests, dry jungles, abandoned buildings, and city gardens. |
| Venom Status | The Brahminy Blind Snake is a non-venomous snake species. |
| Identification | It has a slender body and a head that is indistinct from the neck. It has tiny eyes that are covered with translucent scales, rendering it almost entirely blind. |
Venomous Snakes in Georgia
1) Copperhead
| Scientific Name | Agkistrodon contortrix |
| Size | 2 to 3 feet, some individuals can reach up to 4 feet. |
| Habitat | Well-adapted to both terrestrial and arboreal environments, and are often observed near water sources |
| Venom Status | Copperheads are venomous snakes. Their venom is relatively mild compared to other venomous snake. |
| Identification | They have a distinctive pattern of hourglass-shaped dark bands on their body. Their coloration can vary but is typically light brown or tan with darker bands. |
2) Eastern Cottonmouth
| Scientific Name | Agkistrodon piscivorus |
| Size | 2.5 to 5 feet |
| Habitat | Semi-aquatic snakes are predominantly found in or near bodies of water, such as swamps, marshes, lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams. |
| Venom Status | Eastern Cottonmouths are venomous snakes. Their venom is potent and can cause severe tissue damage and potential systemic effects. |
| Identification | They have a thick black to dark brown or olive body and a relatively large, triangular-shaped head. |
3) Florida Cottonmouth
| Scientific Name | Agkistrodon conanti |
| Size | 2.5 to 5 feet |
| Habitat | Primarily found in wetlands, including swamps, marshes, and coastal areas with brackish or saltwater. |
| Venom Status | Florida Cottonmouths, like Eastern Cottonmouths, are venomous snakes. Bites from Florida Cottonmouths should be treated as medical emergencies. |
| Identification | It has a dark and thick body, and a triangular-shaped head similar to the Eastern Cottonmouth. |
4) Eastern Coral Snake
| Scientific Name | Micrurus fulvius |
| Size | 2 to 3 feet, some individuals may reach up to 4 feet. |
| Habitat | Primarily known to inhabit wooded or forested regions. |
| Venom Status | Eastern Coral Snakes are highly venomous. Their venom contains neurotoxins that can cause paralysis and sometimes be fatal. |
| Identification | They have a slender body and a small, rounded head with a distinctive color pattern of red, yellow, and black bands. |
5) Eastern Diamond-backed Rattlesnake
| Scientific Name | Crotalus adamanteus |
| Size | 3 to 6 feet |
| Habitat | It is known to inhabit a range of habitats, including pine and hardwood forests, coastal dunes, hammocks, and prairies. |
| Venom Status | Eastern Diamond-backed Rattlesnakes are venomous snakes. Their venom is potent and can cause tissue damage and potentially lethal consequences. |
| Identification | They have an iconic diamond pattern along their back, which is dark in color and outlined by lighter scales. |
6) Pigmy Rattlesnake
| Scientific Name | Sistrurus miliariu |
| Size | 1 to 2 feet |
| Habitat | Pine and hardwood forests, meadows, swamps, and sandhills. |
| Venom Status | Pygmy Rattlesnakes are venomous snakes. While not as venomous as some other snakes, their bites should still be taken seriously. |
| Identification | Their coloration varies depending on the subspecies but they generally have a pattern of dark blotches along their back and a small rattle at the end of their tail. |
7) Timber Rattlesnake
| Scientific Name | Crotalus horridus |
| Size | 3 to 5 feet, with some individuals potentially exceeding 6 feet |
| Habitat | Primarily inhabit forested areas, including deciduous forests, mixed hardwood forests, and coniferous forests. |
| Venom Status | Timber Rattlesnakes are venomous snakes. Their venom is potent and can cause severe tissue damage and sometimes lead to death. |
| Identification | They have a brownish or grayish body with a pattern of dark, V-shaped bands or chevrons along their back. |
Conclusion:
This concludes another informative article about the 47 snakes found in Georgia. While most of them are non-venomous (40, to be precise), it’s always crucial to exercise caution when entering their natural habitat.
A bite from a venomous snake can be fatal. Staying informed is also essential to prevent panic and unnecessary anxiety, which could lead to a shock-inducing situation
Frequently Asked Questions:
1) Are snakes a problem in Georgia?
Snakes don’t pose a significant threat in Georgia. Snakes play an important role in the ecosystem and are generally not considered a widespread nuisance. While Georgia has a diverse snake population, the majority of them are non-venomous so encountering a venomous snake in Georgia is quite rare. Nonetheless, it is important to exercise caution and be aware of snake safety practices when in their natural habitat.
2) Are there venomous snakes in Georgia?
Yes, as discussed in this article, there are indeed seven venomous snakes found in Georgia.
3) What are the most common snakes in Georgia?
Some of the most common snakes in Georgia include the Eastern Garter Snake, Eastern Rat Snake, Eastern Kingsnake, Eastern Coral Snake, and a variety of non-venomous water snakes.
4) What is Georgia’s deadliest snake?
The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) is often considered the deadliest snake in Georgia due to its large size and potent venom. However, it is important to note that fatalities from the bite of an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake in Georgia are rare due to the availability of rapid medical treatment.
5) Is Georgia known for snakes?
While the state of Georgia does boast a diverse snake population, it is not necessarily known for snakes.
6) How many people are bitten by snakes in Georgia?
According to the Georgia Poison Center, around 7,000-8,000 people per year are bitten by venomous snakes. Bites from non-venomous snakes are not officially recorded as they are not fatal or considered life-threatening.
7) What 3 states have no venomous snakes?
Alaska, Hawaii, and Maine are the three states in the U.S. that are free of native venomous snake species.
8) Are there blind snakes in Georgia?
Yes, there are blind snakes in Georgia. Brahminy blind snakes also known as thread snakes or worm snakes, are small, non-venomous snakes that are often found in urban and suburban areas.
9) Does Georgia have king snakes?
Yes, Georgia is home to king snakes. Some examples include the Eastern King Snake (Lampropeltis getula), Scarlet King Snake (Lampropeltis elapsoides), and Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum).
References:
- https://georgiawildlife.com/georgiasnakes
- https://www.georgiapoisoncenter.org/poisons/alerts-recent-trends/snakebites/#:~:text=It%20is%20estimated%20that%207%2C000,calls%20concerning%20snakebites%20every%20year.
- https://www.savannahnow.com/story/news/2016/10/04/blind-snakes-worm-their-way-savannah/13914438007/
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Hi everyone, my name is Shawna, and I’ve always been fascinated by the fascinating diversity of flora and fauna that our nature has in it. I am currently studying biotechnology and am particularly interested in animal biotechnology, delving into the intricate processes that define their true nature and uniqueness.
