Venomous animals in South 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
- 2 painful, rarely serious
Where they turn up in South Carolina
- None recorded
- 1 species
- 2
- 3 to 4
- 5 or more
Venomous snakes in South Carolina
CottonmouthDangerous253 records, 24 counties
Timber rattlesnakeDangerous217 records, 23 counties
Eastern diamondback rattlesnakeDangerous53 records, 3 counties
Eastern coral snakeDangerous37 records, 10 counties
CopperheadMedically significant260 records, 31 counties
Pygmy rattlesnakeMedically significant155 records, 7 counties
Venomous snakes in South Carolina: map, photos and look-alikes
Venomous spiders in South Carolina
Black widowMedically significant38 records, 15 counties
Brown widowPainful, rarely serious20 records, 9 counties
Venomous spiders in South Carolina: map, photos and look-alikes
Scorpions in South Carolina
Scorpions in South Carolina: map, photos and look-alikes
When they are out
- Venomous snakes
- Venomous spiders
- Scorpions
Recorded, but not living here
- Rare records Tarantula 3 open records, latest 1940
- Rare records Hentz striped scorpion 2 open records, latest 1994
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 South 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
- 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 South Carolina
- Lives here Rattlesnakes
- Lives here Copperheads
- Lives here Cottonmouths
- Lives here Coral snakes
- Not here Brown recluses
- Lives here Black widows
- Rare records Tarantulas
Questions
How many venomous snakes live in South Carolina?
6 species: Cottonmouth, Timber rattlesnake, Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Eastern coral snake, Copperhead and Pygmy rattlesnake.
Are there brown recluse spiders in South Carolina?
No. There are no open records of the brown recluse from South Carolina, and the state is outside its range.
Are there scorpions in South Carolina?
Yes: Southern devil scorpion.
When are venomous animals most active in South Carolina?
Most open records from South Carolina fall in May to July, September. 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.