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Venomous Snakes of North Carolina

North Carolina is home to various deadly snakes in the planet. Some of them are so aggressive while some are even-tempered though still deathly. Always observe these snakes from a distance and leave them alone. Some only strike when provoked and threatened.



Coral Snake
As they say, looks can be deceiving. This potentially killer snake is very beautifully accentuated with bright coloured patterns. It is very secretive and is rarely seen. It spends most of its time burrowing or hiding underneath stuff on the ground. They aren’t pit vipers and have a series of bands running their entire bodies. The rings are often disjointed by a narrow yellow ring. It’s important to know the colour sequence as some snakes of this similar coloration are not venomous. It’s non-aggressive, rarely bites unless handled or provoked.

Pigmy Rattlesnake
It is also called as dusky pigmy rattlesnake. This venomous snake mostly found in eastern North Carolina. It’s a relatively small snake when compared to the other rattlesnakes. A full grown adult has an average length of 14-22 inches. Due to its size, it is also hard to hear it. These snakes typically have reddish-orange patterns that run down the back. The snake causes serious pain plus localized tissue damage with its venom. The bite is not particularly life threatening though. They are also species of concern making them protected by law.

Copperhead
It is found throughout the vast region and as its name suggests, it has a pale tan or pinkish-tan colour with a set of cross bands all over the body. It is also a small snake with the adults averaging at 36 inches in length. Poised as extremely venomous, these pit vipers have a triangular shaped head, a pit intersecting the eye and the nostril, and vertically elliptical eye pupils.

Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin)
They are mostly found in the wet areas of eastern half of North Carolina. Most can stretch to a maximum body length of 189cm. they usually have live reproduction and can reproduce a set of 7 offspring. They are extremely venomous, dark in colour with a white inside mouth. They are highly aggressive and will actually chase you if possible. Incidentally, they also exhibit territorial behaviours through approaching intruders aggressively.

What makes these snakes venomous?
Copperhead, Cottonmouth, pigmy rattlesnake, Timber rattlesnake, and Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake are pit vipers unlike the coral snake. The common element they have however, is the greatly specialized venom organs that include two long hollow hinged fangs linked to a small venom sacks. Since most of them are rattlesnakes, they are equipped to operate day and night.

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