Here in Beaufort and the sea islands, we share our living space with lots of wildlife. You can find a bit of everything including gators, shorebirds, birds of prey, deer, wild hogs, and lots more. But, as summer rolls on, there seems to be no shortage of snakes slithering around here in the Lowcountry.
Carved out of the sea islands and their lush subtropical climate, Beaufort is still wild. With a great deal of wildlife all around us, we’re bound to come across a snake every now and then.
A king snake racing across your yard. A copperhead curled up in the backyard. A rattlesnake swimming a local creek or crossing in front of your car at Hunting Island.
Sound familiar?
What do you do when you encounter one? Is it poisonous? Is it harmless?
According to SCDNR, only six of the 38 species native to South Carolina are venomous, and only one – the copperhead – usually thrives in more heavily populated areas.
And, the copperhead is one you usually, and unfortunately, see in your neighborhood, because they’re one of the most numerous snakes in the Lowcountry.
Other venomous snakes in South Carolina include the pigmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, cottonmouth, eastern diamondback rattlesnake and eastern coral snake.
But use caution around any unidentified snake when you encounter one in the Lowcountry. It is great advice that you always give all snakes the space they require and the ability to escape on their own.
Some snake insights:
Nonvenomous snakes such as scarlet kingsnake, eastern hognose and watersnake species are frequently confused with their venomous counterparts – coral snakes, rattlesnakes and water moccasins, respectively. Although pit vipers are often identified by their broad, triangular-shaped heads, many nonvenomous snakes flatten their heads when threatened, which can make their heads appear triangular.
While some snakes eat rodents and even venomous snakes, others prey on creatures some locals also may not want near their homes. Brown and red-bellied snakes, for example, feed on snails and slugs, the bane of gardeners. Crowned snake species primarily eat centipedes.
To reduce the potential for snakes near your home, remove brush, log piles and other habitat features that attract mice, lizards and other animals on which snakes prey.
What if you encounter a snake and you’re afraid? The best thing to do is just leave them alone, and go the other direction.
And make sure your pets stay away from them. Veterinarians say you’ll know right away if your dog is bitten by a snake because they’ll yelp in extreme pain and the bite site will swell. The good news, while some cases will require antivenom, vets say more often than not your pet can be treated with pain medication and lots of fluids.
What if one bites you?
Don’t put ice on the affected area, even if it swells because ice can make the venom move faster through your system.
Don’t take pain medications. That way when you get to urgent care, your doctor can better evaluate your body’s reaction to the bite and better determine whether you need antivenom treatment.
To avoid a trip to the hospital, it’s best to just avoid snakes in the first place.
