How Many Snake Species Are in North Carolina?

North Carolina is home to 37 native snake species, a count that includes six venomous species. Think of this field-guide recipe as a simple way to sort out the number, understand what it includes, and use the answer safely without mistaking every snake for a threat.

Ingredients

1 current North Carolina snake checklist from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), your primary reference for the state total.
1 North Carolina range map, preferably one showing the Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and mountains as separate regions.
37 native snake species entries to use as the standard tally for the state.
6 venomous species entries to check separately from the full list.
1 notebook or digital notes file for recording the source and date of your count.
1 pair of binoculars for observing snakes from a safe distance, if you are outdoors.
0 live snakes to collect, handle, or bring home; photographs and reliable records are enough.

Instructions

Start with the direct answer. North Carolina has 37 native snake species. This is the standard state-level figure used in wildlife education and species lists. It describes species known to occur naturally in North Carolina, not the number of individual snakes living there. Individual populations rise and fall, and most snakes are not visible to people, so there is no fixed statewide count of individual animals.
Decide what you are counting. A species list is not the same thing as a sighting list. The 37 figure refers to distinct native species documented in the state, rather than every snake someone has seen in a yard, park, or road. It also does not mean that all 37 live in every county. Some species have broad distributions, while others are limited to particular habitats or parts of the state. Keep the geographic scope clear: the question here is about North Carolina as a whole.
Separate the venomous subset. Six of the state’s 37 native species are venomous: the copperhead, cottonmouth, eastern coral snake, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, and pygmy rattlesnake. That list is a subset of the 37, not six additional species to add on top. The other 31 native species are nonvenomous. A species being listed for the state does not mean it is common, widespread, or likely to be encountered where you live.
Use habitat and region to interpret the list. North Carolina stretches from the Atlantic coast through the Piedmont to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and those landscapes support different wildlife communities. Wetlands and coastal habitats, for example, are not interchangeable with mountain forests. A snake checklist paired with a range map helps explain why a species may be present in the state but absent from a particular county or habitat. Check a current map before treating a statewide record as evidence that a snake lives nearby.
Check the date and authority of your source. Start with the NCWRC or another current state wildlife reference rather than an undated social media graphic. Common names, range information, and scientific classifications can change as experts review evidence and taxonomy. A trustworthy page should make clear whether it is describing native species, confirmed state records, or a broader list that includes occasional nonnative arrivals. Write down the source and the date you consulted it so your tally can be understood later.
Read a sighting cautiously. If you encounter a snake, do not approach it to identify it. From a safe distance, note the location, date, general habitat, and visible features, or take a zoomed photograph only if you can do so without moving closer. A blurry image or a quick glimpse may not support a confident identification; it is better to record an unknown snake than to guess. Do not handle or kill a snake for a photograph, and do not move it to a different location.
Use the count as a guide, not a safety test. North Carolina’s 37 species include snakes that are difficult to identify at a glance, especially when seen briefly or in poor light. If you cannot confidently identify a snake from a safe distance, give it space and leave it alone. Keep children and pets back, and never try to catch, pin, or relocate a snake. If a bite occurs, seek emergency medical care immediately; do not cut the wound, try to suck out venom, or apply a tourniquet.

Tips

Do not add the six twice. The six venomous species are included in the total of 37. A useful mental check is 31 nonvenomous plus 6 venomous equals 37 native species.
Look for wording such as native or documented. Lists can use different criteria. A record of a nonnative pet that escaped is not automatically evidence that the species is established as part of the state’s native fauna.
Do not identify a snake by color alone. Color and pattern can vary with age, lighting, and individual appearance. A single visual rule is not a safe substitute for an expert identification.
Keep a sighting record, not a specimen. Date, location, habitat, and a distant photograph are more useful and safer than capturing a snake. Follow local rules for wildlife observation and reporting.

Serving Suggestions

Use the 37-species answer as a starting point for learning about North Carolina wildlife. For a school project, state the total and then explain that six of the species are venomous, making clear that those six are already part of the 37. For a neighborhood nature walk, pair a current field guide with a map and focus on observing habitat rather than trying to find or handle snakes.

If the question comes up after a snake is spotted around a home, the statewide number alone cannot identify that animal. Keep people and pets away, leave the snake an exit route, and contact a qualified local wildlife professional or animal-control service if it is in a place where people may encounter it. Avoid online identification based on one uncertain feature, and do not attempt to kill or capture it. A respectful, low-contact approach is useful whether the snake is common, rare, venomous, or harmless.

Variations

For a county-level answer: Keep the statewide total of 37 as context, then consult a current county or regional range map. A county list will generally include fewer species, and nearby counties can differ because of habitat, elevation, and documented distribution. Do not assume every species on a statewide checklist occurs in every county.

For a native-versus-all-records comparison: Ask whether a source counts only native species or also includes isolated reports of nonnative snakes. Escaped or released pets may be reported, but a single report is not the same as an established breeding population. The standard 37 figure is best understood as a count of native species, not every snake that could conceivably be found within the state’s borders.

For a venomous-snake-only list: Use the six-species subset: copperhead, cottonmouth, eastern coral snake, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, and pygmy rattlesnake. Their likelihood of being encountered varies by region and habitat, and a statewide list does not establish that each one is common near a particular home. When uncertain, keep your distance instead of trying to determine whether a snake is venomous.

For a classroom activity: Have students compare range maps and habitat types, then ask why a statewide species total differs from the number of species recorded at one site. Treat field sightings as observations with varying confidence, rather than requiring students to identify every animal. This turns the count into a lesson about distribution and evidence, not a contest to get close to wildlife.

Storage and Reheating

This is a field-guide answer, not a prepared dish, so it does not need refrigeration or reheating. Keep downloaded checklists and observation notes in a dated folder, and revisit the NCWRC source before sharing the number as a current fact. If you maintain a printed field guide, store it dry and use an updated range map when precise local information matters. Never keep a live wild snake as a way to verify a species count.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there 37 or 38 snake species in North Carolina?
The standard answer is 37 native snake species. A different figure may come from a source using a different taxonomic update, counting criteria, or treatment of nonnative reports. Check whether the source is counting native species documented in the state, and favor a current state wildlife reference when you need one clear answer.

How many of North Carolina’s snakes are venomous?
Six of the 37 native species are venomous: copperhead, cottonmouth, eastern coral snake, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, and pygmy rattlesnake. They are part of the total, not extra species. If you see a snake and cannot identify it confidently from a safe distance, do not approach it.

Are all 37 species found across the whole state?
No. The number is statewide, and species have different ranges and habitat preferences. A snake that occurs in one part of North Carolina may not occur in another. Use a current regional or county range map for a more local question, while remembering that range maps show broad patterns rather than guaranteeing a sighting at a specific address.

Does the total include snakes kept as pets that escape?
The standard figure refers to native species, not every escaped or released pet that might be reported. An occasional nonnative sighting does not by itself show that a species is established in the wild. For an unusual report, a wildlife agency or qualified expert can help assess the evidence and whether it should be documented.

What should I do if I find a snake in my yard?
Give it space, bring children and pets indoors or away from the area, and do not try to catch, kill, or move it. Many snakes will leave if undisturbed. If it is in a high-traffic place or poses an immediate concern, contact a qualified local wildlife professional or animal-control service rather than handling it yourself.

Where can I check the most reliable current list?
Start with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and look for its current snake species information or checklist. For a local sighting, compare the species entry with a current range map and habitat information. When sources disagree, check their publication dates and definitions before deciding that the statewide count has changed.

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