Wildlife Removal
Venomous Snakes in South Carolina: How to Identify Them and What to Do
The six venomous species
South Carolina has copperheads, cottonmouths (water moccasins), eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, timber rattlesnakes, pygmy rattlesnakes and coral snakes. Copperheads are by far the most common around homes.
Identification basics
Copperheads have an hourglass or Hershey's Kiss pattern in tan and copper. Cottonmouths are dark, thick and open their white mouths when threatened. Rattlesnakes rattle, though not always. Coral snakes have red, yellow and black bands with red touching yellow. If you are not sure, keep your distance.
What attracts snakes
Rodents, mainly. Snakes also like wood piles, tall grass, thick ground cover, crawlspace openings and cool concrete slabs on hot days.
Keeping snakes away
Control the rodents, trim vegetation, remove debris, and seal crawlspace vents. Snake exclusion fencing can be installed around vulnerable areas.
If you find one
Keep children and pets away and call for snake removal. We are available 24 hours a day at (833) 659-0727 across South Carolina.