Venomous animals in North Carolina
The ones that need the most respect: cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, eastern coral snake. A bite from any of them is a medical emergency.
- 4 dangerous
- 3 medically significant
- 3 painful, rarely serious
Where they turn up in North Carolina
- None recorded
- 1 species
- 2
- 3 to 4
- 5 or more
Venomous snakes in North Carolina
CottonmouthDangerous567 records, 43 counties
Timber rattlesnakeDangerous771 records, 26 counties
Eastern diamondback rattlesnakeDangerous93 records, 2 counties
Eastern coral snakeDangerous49 records, 11 counties
CopperheadMedically significant1,791 records, 92 counties
Pygmy rattlesnakeMedically significant390 records, 8 counties
Venomous snakes in North Carolina: map, photos and look-alikes
Venomous spiders in North Carolina
Black widowMedically significant123 records, 27 counties
Brown widowPainful, rarely serious18 records, 9 counties
Venomous spiders in North Carolina: map, photos and look-alikes
Scorpions in North Carolina
Southern devil scorpionPainful, rarely serious8 records, 3 counties
Hentz striped scorpionPainful, rarely serious25 records, 10 counties
Scorpions in North Carolina: map, photos and look-alikes
When they are out
- Venomous snakes
- Venomous spiders
- Scorpions
Recorded, but not living here
- Rare records Brown recluse 1 open record, latest 2022
A rare record means someone found or reported the animal once or a few times, but there is no known population. Many are strays, pets or hitchhikers in cargo.
Harmless look-alikes in North Carolina
- Coral Snake vs King Snake Scarlet kingsnake is harmless
- Cottonmouth vs Water Snake Water snake is harmless
- Coral Snake vs Milk Snake Milk snake is harmless
- Black Widow vs False Widow False widow is harmless
- Copperhead vs Northern Water Snake Northern water snake is harmless
- Cottonmouth vs Banded Water Snake Banded water snake is harmless
- Copperhead vs Corn Snake Corn snake is harmless
- Copperhead vs Rat Snake Rat snake is harmless
- Copperhead vs Milk Snake Milk snake is harmless
- Cottonmouth vs Brown Water Snake Brown water snake is harmless
- Coral Snake vs Scarlet Snake Scarlet snake is harmless
- Pygmy Rattlesnake vs Hognose Snake Eastern hognose snake is harmless
- Copperhead vs Hognose Snake Eastern hognose snake is harmless
Quick answers for North Carolina
- Lives here Rattlesnakes
- Lives here Copperheads
- Lives here Cottonmouths
- Lives here Coral snakes
- Rare records Brown recluses
- Lives here Black widows
- Not here Tarantulas
Questions
How many venomous snakes live in North Carolina?
6 species: Cottonmouth, Timber rattlesnake, Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Eastern coral snake, Copperhead and Pygmy rattlesnake.
Are there brown recluse spiders in North Carolina?
Only as rare records. GBIF holds 1 open record of the brown recluse from North Carolina, the latest from 2022, but there is no known population.
Are there scorpions in North Carolina?
Yes: Hentz striped scorpion and Southern devil scorpion.
When are venomous animals most active in North Carolina?
Most open records from North Carolina fall in June to July, September to October. Records follow when people are outdoors too, so treat this as a guide, not a rule.
What should I do after a bite or sting?
Call 911 for any venomous snakebite or a severe reaction. For spider bites and scorpion stings, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, free and open 24/7.