How to Identify Snake Holes in North Carolina and What to Do About Them

Noticing potential snake holes in your backyard can naturally lead to questions about the type of snakes you might be dealing with. North Carolina is home to a diverse array of beautiful snakes, from the diminutive and harmless earthsnake to the fearsome eastern diamondback rattlesnake.

While some of these snakes are more common in residential areas than others, all can be found in the Tar Heel State:

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

The world’s largest rattlesnake species, the mighty eastern diamondback rattlesnake can grow to eight feet long, and its large size means it can inject copious amounts of venom that can cause excessive bleeding and tissue necrosis in humans—so it goes without saying that they shouldn’t be approached under any circumstances. In North Carolina, these snakes are usually found in the sandy pine flatwoods in the southeastern coastal plain. Habitat destruction and frequent hunting have taken their toll on this species, and relatively few are left in the state.

Copperhead

The copperhead is a venomous pit viper that is quite common in North Carolina. It gets its name from the copper coloration on its head. This snake prefers woodland areas and swamps, but can still also be found in residential areas. While not the most venomous snake found in North Carolina, the copperhead is still thought to be the most dangerous to humans, simply because human encounters with copperheads are much more common than with, say, a diamondback rattlesnake.

Racer

The racer is a large, slender black snake, with large eyes and smooth scales. So named for their speed, racers chase down their prey and eat it whole. Racers are very defensive and will bite repeatedly if they are handled, but they do not actively chase people, as is commonly believed.

Rat Snake

The rat snake is a non-venomous snake found throughout the state of North Carolina. A constrictor, the rat snake squeezes the life out of its victims, which usually take the form of rodents. These snakes are often mistaken for rattlesnakes due to their similar coloration and defensive behavior of hissing and tail-vibrating, but there the similarities end. Rat snakes are harmless to humans and can be a very effective means of pest control.

Garter Snake

One of the most common snakes in all of North America, garter snakes are found in abundance all over the continent. Known for its long, slender body and distinct stripes, garter snakes feed primarily on small amphibians and fish. Although harmless to humans, garter snakes can become a nuisance in residential areas, and often have to be extricated from homes.

Brown Snake

Brown snakes are usually brown in color, but may be grey or reddish brown. They are often found in flowerbeds and eat slugs, earthworms, and snails. Curiously, these snakes seem to prefer spending time under trash rather than stones and rocks.

Cottonmouth

Cottonmouths are heavy-bodied, semi-aquatic pit vipers with dark crossbands on an olive to dark brown background (and, of course, a white mouth). Although they are commonly associated with water, cottonmouths can be found quite far from aquatic environments. Highly venomous, cottonmouths are often perceived as aggressive, but in reality, they will always attempt to escape before biting. Of course, no venomous snake should ever be handled by someone without the requisite training and equipment.

Remember, most snakes prefer to avoid human interaction and pose little threat to humans. If you’re unsure about the type of snakes in your backyard or feel trepidation about dealing with snakes directly, contact a professional wildlife removal service like Trutech, whose team of experts can help identify the snake species and provide safe and effective solutions.