Snakes of Georgia

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Snakes of Georgia

• Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office
• July, 2005
• By Tabitha Lovell, Frank Flanders and Brittney
  Foster
• Special Assistance John Jensen, Georgia
  Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife
  Biology, Herpetology and Kris Irwin, UGA School
  of Forestry
• Modified by CTAE Resource Network, 2010
• Based on a slide program from the Georgia
  Cooperative Extension Service and Snakes of
  Georgia and South Carolina published by the
  University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology
  Laboratory.

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Introduction

• Reptiles are misunderstood because of
  misinformation, legends, myths and their nature
• Most of these misunderstandings come from
  exaggeration or hallucinations

Eastern Hognose Snake
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• Snakes are beneficial in many ways
• You should be able to distinguish between
  venomous (poisonous) and non-venomous snakes

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• There are about 42 snake species in Georgia
• Six of these are venomous
• The venomous snakes consist of the following
• 3 rattlesnake species
• 1 cottonmouth species
• 1 copperhead species
• 1 coral snake species

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• Approximately 3 of the snakes in the US are
  venomous
• 10 of the species are venomous
• Venoms vary in potency
• Snakebite effect also varies

6

• According to the website eMedicine, there are
  only 5-10 deaths caused by snakebite in the
  United States per year.
• Snakebite numbers total about 45,000 yearly, but
  only 8,000 (about 18) of these are by venomous
  snakes.
• eMedicine also reports that many of the
  snakebites in the United States are provoked by
  the victims.
• http//www.emedicine.com/aaem/topic417.htm

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Coachwhip Masticophis flagellum

• Size 42-60 inches
• Maximum 102 inches
• Young Hatched

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Eastern Mud SnakeFarancia abacura

• Size 40-54 inches
• Maximum 80 inches
• Young Hatched

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Southern Hognose SnakeHeterodon simus

• Size 14-20 inches
• Maximum 24 inches
• Young Hatched

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Eastern Hognose SnakeHeterodon platyrhinos

• Size 18-30 inches
• Maximum 43 inches
• Young Hatched

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Corn SnakeElaphe guttata

• Size 30-48 inches Maximum 72 inches
• Young Hatched
• Other common names Red Rat Snake, House Snake

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Albino Rat SnakeElaphe(Captured in Jackson
County)
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Yellow Rat SnakeElaphe obsoleta quadrivittata

• Size 42-72 inches
• Maximum 84 inches
• Young Hatched

• Other common names Yellow Chicken Snake, Banded
  Chicken Snake

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Gray Rat SnakeElaphe obsoleta spiloides

• Size 42-72 inches
• Maximum 84 inches
• Young Hatched
• Other common names Gray Chicken Snake

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Black Rat SnakeElaphe obsoleta

• Size 42-72 inches
• Maximum 101 inches
• Young Hatched

• Other common names Black Chicken Snake, Mountain
  Black Snake

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Pine SnakePituophis melanoleucus

• Size 48-66 inches
• Maximum 83 inches
• Young Hatched

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Eastern Indigo SnakeDrymarchon corais couperi

• Size 60-84 inches
• Maximum 103 ½
• Young Hatched

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Southeastern Crowned SnakeTantilla coronata

• Size 8-10 inches
• Maximum 13 inches
• Young Hatched

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Eastern Worm SnakeCarphophis amoenus

• Size 7 ½ -11 inches
• Maximum 13 inches
• Young Hatched

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Northern Black RacerColuber constrictor

• Size 36-60 inches
• Maximum 73 inches

• Young Hatched

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Eastern CoachwhipMasticophis flagellum

• Size 42-60 inches
• Maximum 102 inches
• Young Hatched

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Banded Water SnakeNerodia fasciata

• Size 24-42 inches
• Maximum 60 inches
• Young Born alive
• Other common names Moccasin

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Brown Water SnakeNerodia taxispilota

• Size 30-60 inches
• Maximum 69 inches
• Young Born Alive

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Eastern Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis

• Size 18-26 inches
• Maximum 48 inches
• Young Born Alive

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Pigmy RattlesnakeSistrurus miliarius

• Size 15-22 inches
• Maximum 31 inches
• Young Born Alive

• Other common names Barbours Pigmy Rattler

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Eastern Diamondback RattlesnakeCrotalus
adamanteus

• Size 33-72 inches
• Maximum 96 inches
• Young Born Alive

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Timber/Canebrake RattlesnakeCrotalus horridus

• Size 42-60 inches
• Maximum 74 inches
• Young Born Alive

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CopperheadAgkistrodon contortrix

• Size 24-36 inches
• Maximum 52 inches
• Young Born Alive

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CottonmouthAgkistrodon piscivorous

• Size 30-48 inches
• Maximum 74 inches
• Young Born Alive

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Eastern Coral SnakeMicrurus fulvius

• Size 20-30 inches
• Maximum 47 ½ inches
• Young Hatched

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Eastern KingsnakeLampropeltis getula

• Size 36-48 inches
• Maximum 82 inches
• Young Hatched
• Other common names Chain Snake, Thunder Snake

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Mole SnakeLampropeltis calligaster
rhombomaculata

• Size 30-40 inches
• Maximum 45 inches
• Young Hatched

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Conclusions

• Many snakes are beneficial
• Some snakes make interesting pets
• Snakes can eat more rats than a house cat
• It is important to know the difference between
  venomous and non-venomous snake species
• We need to protect our beneficial snakes

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Teacher Notes

• Slide 2 Reptiles are probably the most
  misunderstood members of the animal kingdom.
  Perhaps this is due largely to the
  misinformation, legends, and myths surrounding
  them, as well as to their nature. Most of these
  myths are based upon pure exaggeration or
  hallucinations.
• Slide 3 Snakes are beneficial to mankind in
  numerous ways, however, one should be able to
  distinguish between the non-venomous and venomous
  species. Living snakes were photographed for this
  slide set to better inform -(people)- about some
  of the snakes that are found in Georgia.
• Slide 4 There are approximately 42 species of
  snakes found in Georgia. Of these, six are
  venomous and the remaining are non-venomous. The
  venomous species (or subspecies) consists of
  three rattlesnakes, one cottonmouth, one
  copperhead and one coral snake.
• Slide 5 Only about 3 percent of the number of
  snakes found in the United States is venomous. 10
  percent of the species are venomous. The venoms
  from venomous snakes vary in their potency
  depending upon such factors as species, size and
  condition of the snake. The effect of snakebite
  also varies according to the size and sensitivity
  of the victim as well as the site and
  effectiveness of the bite.

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• Slide 6 According to the website eMedicine,
  there are only 5-10 deaths caused by snakebite in
  the United States per year. Snakebite numbers
  total about 45,000 yearly, but only 8,000 (about
  18) of these are by venomous snakes. eMedicine
  also reports that many of the snakebites in the
  United States are provoked by the victims.
• Slide 7 Throughout history, we find accounts of
  man's attitudes toward reptiles. Supernatural
  traits are attributed to many forms, and cults
  have been established to worship particular
  species believed to be endowed with great powers
  of good or evil. The Bible contains numerous
  references to reptilessome favorable, others
  unfavorable. Much of our present attitude toward
  snakes can be traced to the story of Adam and Eve
  in the Garden of Eden. Our American folklore is
  richly flavored with misinformation, myths,
  legends, and simple exaggerations concerning
  snakes.

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• Slide 8 One of the favorite snake stories
  concerns this Eastern Mud Snake, commonly
  referred to as the "Hoop Snake," "Stinging
  Snake," or "Horn Snake." This snake is
  erroneously believed by some to take its tail in
  its mouth and to roll along like a hoop, chasing
  its victims. At the right moment, it releases its
  tail from its mouth and the tail jabs the victim.
  The victim, whether plant or animal, dies
  immediately. The Mud Snake is reported to have a
  powerful stinger in the end of its tail with
  which it jabs its victim. Actually, no snake has
  a stinger or venom gland of any sort in its tail,
  but the Eastern Mud Snake has a sharp terminal
  scale on its tail with which it maneuvers food
  into position for swallowing. These snakes are
  unable to inflict even a minor scratch with this
  scale. The smooth, shiny, black scales, with the
  pink underbelly, serve to identify the Eastern
  Mud Snake. A snake of southern swamps and
  low-lands, its favorite food is salamanders.
  Adults usually range from 3 to 4½ feet in length.
• Slide 9 The "Hognose Snakes" represent some of
  Mother Nature's best "actors." Although quite
  harmless, they have earned themselves a bad
  reputation by their actions. By flattening their
  heads and necks, hissing loudly, and inflating
  their bodies with air, they produce a show of
  hostility that would unnerve all but the
  stout-hearted. This is the smallest of the
  Hognose Snakes and is known as the Southern
  Hognose Snake.

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• Slide 10 The Eastern Hognose Snake is larger
  than the southern species, but its actions are
  the same. When the bluff of the Hognose Snake
  fails to frighten the intruder, it will soon roll
  over on its back, open its mouth, give a few
  convulsive movements, and then lie still as
  though dead. When turned right side up, it will
  promptly roll over again, probably thinking that
  the only position for a dead snake is on its
  back. Snakes exhibit many variations in pattern
  and color even within the same species. This is
  another Eastern Hognose Snake, completely lacking
  the pattern and colors of the previous one.
  Because of their behavior, the Hognose Snakes
  have earned such dangerous sounding names as
  "Hissing Adder", "Spreading Adder", "Puff Adder",
  and "Blow Viper". Many people fear these snakes
  because they have been told that they will spit
  venomous fumes into their eyes. They have no
  venom, and could not spit if they wanted to.
• Slide 11 Many people believe that a mother
  snake will swallow her young for protection, then
  release them when the danger is past. What do you
  think is in this Corn Snake's mouth? No authentic
  account of a mother snake swallowing her young
  for protection has ever been recorded. The belief
  is probably based on the fact that many snakes
  feed on lizards, mice and other snakes, and many
  times, all that is seen of the victim is the tail
  as it is being swallowed. The victim was not a
  baby snake but was instead a small mouse. We see
  the snake immediately after it has struck. The
  body has been coiled around the mouse and the
  suffocation process has begun. The Corn Snake is
  one of our most beneficial reptiles and should be
  protected and not destroyed through ignorance or
  prejudice. They consume many rodents that eat on
  corn and destroy stored grain. Normally, snakes
  swallow their prey beginning with the head first.
  The flexibility of a snake's skull and body
  enables it to swallow prey much larger than its
  own head. By working the two sides of its jaw
  independently, the snake literally pulls its body
  over and around its food. Once the food has
  passed the mouth, it is worked back to the
  stomach by a series of muscular contractions in
  the snake's body. The Corn Snake makes an
  excellent pet, rarely attempting to bite and
  accepting food easily.

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• Slide 12 Occasionally, in both the plant and
  animal kingdoms, we find unusual examples, such
  as the "albino" specimen of a Rat Snake. The
  color of the skin and eyes of albinos is usually
  characteristic and is caused by a deficiency in
  pigment. The pink eyes and white skin of this
  albino are similar to the pink eyes and white fur
  found on white mice or rabbits. The dark pigment
  lacking in the eyes enables more light to
  penetrate the pupil of the eye, resulting in poor
  eyesight.
• Slide 13 Another species of Rat Snake is the
  Yellow Rat Snake, sometimes called the
  "Four-lined Chicken Snake" or the "Striped House
  Snake". The dark stripes are always strongly
  defined, but the ground color varies
  considerably. They are found high up in cypress
  and other trees in great river swamps of the
  South where the rivers approach the coast. Food
  consists mainly of young rats, and small birds.
  The tongue of all snakes is long, slender, and
  forked at the end. It is not a poisonous
  structure, but serves to detect odors in the air.
  It is also used to locate the head of its prey
  prior to swallowing. Snakes have no ear openings,
  therefore, they cannot hear air-borne sounds.
  They are very sensitive to ground vibrations,
  however.
• Slide 14 The Gray Rat Snake is another of our
  beneficial snakes. Often called the Oak Snake,
  or White Oak Snake, this serpent retains the
  strongly blotched juvenile pattern throughout
  life, but there is much variation in its
  intensity. The adult size generally is from 3½ to
  6 feet.

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• Slide 15 Some of our Rat Snakes literally stand
  up and fight when cornered in the field. This
  Black Rat Snake has the forward portion of his
  body raised and the head drawn back in an
  S-curve, ready to strike. Usually, they hiss as
  they lunge forward from this position. All snakes
  can bite. The bite pattern of a non-venomous
  snake may show teeth marks but no fang punctures.
  A mild local pain may result but usually does not
  last long. An antiseptic should be applied to
  prevent infection. Some of our non-poisonous
  snakes are gentle and can be handled safely if
  they do not become excited. Others retain their
  fighting spirit even after long periods in
  captivity. Snakes sometimes give forth a pungent
  or unpleasant odor, especially when excited or
  when first captured. This is another of Natures
  methods of self-defense. The Black Rat Snake is
  often confused with the Black Racer and is
  sometimes called the Pilot Blacksnake. All of
  the non-poisonous snakes found in Georgia, such
  as this Black Rat Snake, have round eye pupils
  and do not have the pits between the nose and
  eyes, which most of our poisonous snakes have.
  The poisonous Coral Snake is an exception and
  will be mentioned later.
• Slide 16 The large black and white snake with a
  noisy hiss is sometimes called the Bull Snake.
  A more acceptable common name is the Pine Snake.
  It is found in sandy pine barrens or dry mountain
  ridges, usually in or near pine woods. Due to its
  habit of burrowing underground, its presence is
  often unsuspected even by people who have lived
  in the same area with it for years. Food
  consists primarily of rodents, including the
  Pocket Gopher, therefore earning it another
  common name, the White Gopher Snake.

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• Slide 17 Another of our more beneficial snakes
  is the Eastern Indigo Snake. When cornered, this
  snake flattens its neck vertically and hisses
  loudly, earning itself the common name Blue Bull
  Snake. Another common name is Blue Gopher
  Snake. When caught, the Indigo Snake becomes
  tame almost at once, seldom attempting to bite.
  Food includes small mammals, birds, frogs and
  snakeseven Cottonmouths and Rattlers. This
  species has the distinction of being the longest
  snake found in the United States, with an
  authentic measurement of 8 feet, 7 ½ inches.
• Slide 18 Not all of our snakes are large, the
  Southeastern Crowned Snake is one of our
  smallest, ranging from only 8 to 10 inches in
  length. It can be identified by the black head
  cap, followed by a light band across the rear of
  the head, and then followed by a black band. Also
  called the Black-headed Snake, it can usually
  be found under rocks or rotting logs where it
  feeds on small centipedes and insect larvae.
• Slide 19 The Eastern Worm Snake is another
  small species with habits very similar to the
  Crowned Snake. When held in the hand, Worm Snakes
  attempt to push their way between the fingers
  with both the head and spinelike tail tip. The
  range of this species in Georgia is from the fall
  line north.
• Slide 20 This slender, satiny snake is plain
  black both above and below. The long keen tail
  helps to identify it as the Northern Black Racer,
  one of our fastest snakes. Contrary to many folk
  tales, snakes do NOT move rapidly. Actual
  measurements have shown that the fastest species
  never travel over three to four miles an hour. A
  military marching pace is roughly 3.8 miles an
  hour, so almost anyone can outrun a snake. The
  Black Racer is quick to flee when approached but
  fights fiercely when cornered.

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• Slide 21 The Eastern Coachwhip is an active,
  fast-moving serpent. It sometimes prowls with its
  head above the ground and escapes the would-be
  collector with a burst of speed. Fighting
  savagely when cornered, it embeds its teeth and
  then yanks away, producing lacerations instead of
  puncture wounds. The Eastern Coachwhip is
  credited with many amazing feats, including its
  ability to outrun a man and whip him to death.
  Although pure nonsense, this legend still
  persists. Scales on the long slender tail
  suggests a braided whip with the dark forward
  part resembling the whip handle.
• Slide 22 Snakes of this species are almost
  always found near water. They strike and bite
  hard when cornered. Some people resent them
  because they feed on fish, although research
  indicates they actually improve good fishing by
  culling out sick and less vigorous fish and
  helping to thin out over-populated lakes and
  ponds. Can you guess what snake this is? Is it
  venomous or non-venomous? Another view of this
  snake may aid you in identifying it. Note the
  triangular shaped head and the heavy body of this
  snake. These characteristics are usually, though
  not always associated with poisonous species. If
  you guessed the Cottonmouth or the Cottonmouth
  Water Moccasin, you were wrong. Most persons
  confuse the Banded Water Snake and other Water
  Snakes with the venomous Cottonmouth, and not
  without reason, for they look much alike. In
  spite of the triangular shaped head, this species
  in non-poisonous. An examination of the head will
  reveal round eye pupils and no facial pits. The
  venomous Cottonmouth has elliptical eye pupils
  and pits located between the nose and eyes.

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• Slide 23 Another of the harmless water snakes,
  and one of the easiest to confuse with the
  Cottonmouth is the Brown Water Snake. Often
  called the Water Pilot or the Water Rattle,
  it is an accomplished swimmer and climber, often
  found up in trees 20 feet or more. The head is
  distinctly triangular shaped, again destroying
  the belief that only venomous snakes have
  triangular shaped heads.
• Slide 24 The pattern and coloration of the
  Eastern Garter Snake is extremely variable, with
  either spots or stripes predominating. It is a
  well-known and probably the most common snake in
  the Eastern United States. It feeds on frogs,
  toads, salamanders, fish, tadpoles and
  earthworms. It occupies a wide variety of
  habitatsmeadows, marshes, woodlands, hillsides,
  along streams and ditches, and in city lots and
  dumps.
• Slide 25 Looking somewhat like the Garter
  Snake, although a lot more dangerous, the Pigmy
  Rattlesnake is at home in the flatwoods and all
  types of terrain where lakes and marshes abound.
  Also called the Ground Rattler, the tiny rattle
  of this snake cannot be heard more than a few
  feet away. One of the smallest of our venomous
  snakes, with a record length of 31 inches, Pigmy
  Rattlesnakes usually range from 15 to 22 inches
  in length. A subspecies, the Carolina Pigmy
  Rattlesnake, is found in some counties in North
  Georgia.

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• Slide 26 The largest venomous snake found in
  this country, growing to lengths of up to 8 feet,
  is the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake. Although
  not aggressive, this species will seldom run when
  bothered, but will remain in a tight coil and
  stand its ground. Its favorite food is the
  Cottontail Rabbit, but it also feed on rats,
  mice, birds, and small mammals. The Eastern
  Diamondback Rattlesnake will usually, but not
  always, warn you with its rattles. A powerful and
  dangerous snake, with long fangs and a great
  quantity of poison, it is probably the most
  deadly snake in North America. At home in the
  palmetto flat woods and dry pinelands of the
  South, it is frequently found in Gopher holes or
  other holes beneath stumps, etc.
• Slide 27 The Timber/Canebrake Rattlesnake
  prefers retreat to combat, but will fight bravely
  when cornered. Considerable variation may be
  found in the coloration of this species. The most
  familiar phase is a yellow ground color with
  wide, dark brown or black crossbands. The tails
  of some specimens are black. Food includes small
  rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice, and birds.

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• Slide 27 contd A lowland counterpart of the
  Timber Rattlesnake is the Canebrake Rattlesnake.
  At home in cane thickets and swamplands, he is
  distinguished from the Timber Rattler by the
  reddish-brown stripe down the back, usually
  lacking in other species. Food includes toads,
  mice, insects, birds, and small snakes.
  Rattlesnakes and other snakes are commonly found
  on or under old logs or downed trees. As a safety
  measure when hunting or walking in the woods,
  always watch where you put your feet. When
  crossing a log, never step over the log, but step
  on it and then over. If you are bitten , the bite
  will probably be lower down on your leg and your
  chances of survival will be better.
• Slide 28 The Copperhead is known by such common
  names as Highland Moccasin, Pilot Snake, and
  Chunkhead. When viewed from above, the dark
  markings on this venomous snake resemble an
  hourglass. Sometimes the markings are broken
  along the top of the back and fail to meet. Food
  of the Copperhead includes small birds, frogs,
  insects, and a favorite is mice.

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• Slide 29 The Cottonmouth is a large, aquatic
  snake. Its color is olive, brown or black above,
  with a lighter colored belly. Broad cross bands
  are evident in younger specimens, while old
  snakes may be dark or un-patterned. These very
  dangerous snakes are found in the southern
  lowlands, swamps, lakes, and rivers. It suns
  itself on logs at waters edge. The Cottonmouths
  food consists of fish, frogs, salamanders,
  snakes, lizards, small turtles, baby alligators,
  birds and small mammals. The Cottonmouth closely
  resembles many of the non-poisonous water snakes,
  and at a distance it is difficult to distinguish
  between them. A dead specimen is easily
  identified by the facial pits located between the
  nose and eyes. Note also the elliptical eye
  pupils which are characteristic of the pit
  vipers. Harmless water snakes usually flee
  quickly, whereas the Cottonmouth will often stand
  its ground or crawl slowly away. The Cottonmouth
  and other pit vipers have movable front fangs,
  which, when not in use, are folded against the
  roof of the mouth. A thoroughly aroused
  Cottonmouth will throw its head upward and
  backward, holding its mouth wide open revealing a
  white interior, origin of the name Cottonmouth.
  Venom is injected into a victim through the
  fangs. The fangs are hollow, with an opening near
  the end, similar to a hypodermic needle. Snake
  venom is a liquid, usually yellowish in color. It
  is used in medicines and serum for snake-bite
  treatment. The venom from the Cottonmouth and
  other pit vipers affects the blood cells and
  muscle tissues primarily, causing swelling,
  discoloration and great pain. If given proper
  treatment, victims of snake bit usually recover.
  All pit vipers, including the Cottonmouth, have
  single scales or plates covering at least a large
  part of the under-surface of their tails. All
  non-poisonous snakes have a double row of scales
  beneath their tails. The very dangerous Coral
  Snake also has a double row of scales and should
  not be confused with non-poisonous species.

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• Slide 30 A dangerously venomous snake, although
  often mistaken for a harmless species, is the
  Eastern Coral Snake, a far-off cousin of the
  dreaded Cobra. The colored rings completely
  encircle the body with the red and yellow rings
  touching. The end of the snout is black, followed
  by a broad yellow band across the head. The venom
  of this snake affects the nervous system
  primarily, causing paralysis and other symptoms.
  The Coral Snake is NOT a pit viper, therefore, it
  has no facial pits. Nor does it have elliptical
  eye pupils or single scales on the underside of
  its tail as do the other venomous snakes of
  Georgia.
• Slide 31 Listed among our most popular and
  beneficial reptiles are the Kingsnakes. They
  are powerful constrictors which kill and eat
  other serpents, including venomous ones. Contrary
  to popular opinion, they do not prowl around
  looking for Rattlers to fight, but they will make
  a meal of any snake. They are apparently immune
  to the venoms of our native venomous snakes. The
  Eastern Kingsnake can easily be identified by the
  white or yellow markings against a background of
  shiny black.
• Slide 32 Another of our Kingsnakes is the Mole
  Snake or perhaps known better as the Brown
  Kingsnake. It is a shiny, smooth serpent that
  may or may not be patterned. An accomplished
  burrower, it is often turned up by the plow. It
  occasionally appears on the surface after heavy
  spring or summer rains.

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• Slide 33 Many of the snakes found in Georgia
  are beneficial, and, if one desires, make
  interesting pets. Around barns, they will eat
  more rats than a house cat. Of course, a person
  should learn the difference between venomous and
  non-venomous species, and protect those that act
  as mans friend.