Snakes of Georgia Original by Philip Gentry Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office July 2004

NON-VENOMOUS SNAKES

Snakes of Georgia There are forty species of snakes that make Georgia their home. There are forty species of snakes that make Georgia their home. Of the forty, six are venomous. Of the forty, six are venomous.

Worm Snake Very secretive snake that like to be in damp, rotting logs and deep, damp soil Very secretive snake that like to be in damp, rotting logs and deep, damp soil Feeds on earthworms Feeds on earthworms Up to 14” long Up to 14” long Preyed upon by milk and Kingsnakes Preyed upon by milk and Kingsnakes

Eastern Racer Adults are black in color Seen in open pine forests, forest edges, old fields, pastures, and meadows Uses keen eyesight and speed to prey on smaller mammals and reptiles

Ringneck Snake Identified by the white ring around the neck and the yellow to red pattern on the belly Preys on earthworms, small snakes, lizards, and other small reptiles Is an uncommon snake because of their illusiveness

Eastern Indigo Snake Is listed as a threatened species by the GA and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Glossy blue-black color Uses powerful jaws to kill prey Isolated to the southeastern corner of Georgia and Florida

FUN FACT (Python Reticulatus) was recognized as the longest snake with the maximum verified length of 10.1 meters (almost as long as a bus!) (Python Reticulatus) was recognized as the longest snake with the maximum verified length of 10.1 meters (almost as long as a bus!)

Eastern Rat Snakes Come in variety of Black, Yellow, and Grey Come in variety of Black, Yellow, and Grey One of the longest snakes in America, up to 72” One of the longest snakes in America, up to 72” Constricts rats, squirrels, bird eggs, and birds Constricts rats, squirrels, bird eggs, and birds Will vibrate tail when threatened, sounding like a rattlesnake Will vibrate tail when threatened, sounding like a rattlesnake

Coachwhip Noted for its tanned leather color and long slender body Up to 102”(8’ 6”) May be one of America’s fastest snakes Preys on grasshoppers, cicadas, lizards, snakes, and small mammals

Mud Snake Glossy black with red spots on the belly that extends up to the sides Found south of the fall line Preyed on by King snakes, Cottonmouths, and alligators

Rainbow Snake Lives near sources of water where it burrows and stays out of sight Lives near sources of water where it burrows and stays out of sight Likes to feed on the American Eel, but is hunted by raccoons, other snakes, and Alligators Likes to feed on the American Eel, but is hunted by raccoons, other snakes, and Alligators Similar to the mud snake because of the hard, sharp scale on the tail Similar to the mud snake because of the hard, sharp scale on the tail

Eastern and Southern Hognose Also called the “southern adder” because of the way it will spread its “hood” Also called the “southern adder” because of the way it will spread its “hood” Comes in a variety of patterns, all in earthy tones Comes in a variety of patterns, all in earthy tones Can be found all around the state, but mostly in areas near sandy loose soils Can be found all around the state, but mostly in areas near sandy loose soils Southern Hognose Snakes are lighter in color and smaller in size than the Eastern. Southern Hognose Snakes are lighter in color and smaller in size than the Eastern. They are uncommon, but not on any threatened or endangered list. They are uncommon, but not on any threatened or endangered list.

FUN FACT The fastest land snake in the world is the aggressive black mamba found in the southern part of tropical Africa. It can reach speeds up to 12 mph. The fastest land snake in the world is the aggressive black mamba found in the southern part of tropical Africa. It can reach speeds up to 12 mph.

Corn Snake Can be found all over the state, but prefers upland pine forest Hunts at night for rodents and small mammals Most commonly seen at night on roads

FUN FACT The longest-lived snake on record was a 44 year- old African Ball Python. The longest-lived snake on record was a 44 year- old African Ball Python.

Eastern King Snake One of the most encountered snakes in Georgia Characterized by the black and yellow bands Many Varieties Most famous for their ability to kill and eat venomous snakes

Milk/Scarlet Kingsnake Mimics the coral snake, but always has a red snout and yellow rings are separated from the red Can be located in pine forest under snags Preferred prey is skinks

Plainbelly Water Snake Can be grey to reddish on the back with a unpatterned belly Active February-November Prey on fish and amphibians Are found throughout GA except for the SE corner surrounding the Okefenokee Swamp

Brown Water Snake The best catfisher that you will ever meet. Likes to hang around on tree limbs along rivers and streams, up to ten feet high Is brown with black squares on its back Common south of the fall line

Common Garter Snake Found in wet and damp areas, not necessarily close to water Brownish black with yellow stripes Gives birth to live young Feeds on frogs, lizards, salamanders, and fish

Florida Green Water Snake Relatively aggressive snake when agitated Greenish when in adult stages Live in the most southern part of Georgia and all of Florida Up to 74” long

Pine Wood snake Very handsome dark brown snake Has 2 rows of yellow scales around upper lip Burrows into rotten pine logs Saliva is mildly toxic to frogs and lizards

Queen Snake Tan to olive brown with yellow pinstripe down either side Tan to olive brown with yellow pinstripe down either side Good swimmer that feeds almost exclusively on crayfish Good swimmer that feeds almost exclusively on crayfish Will retreat to water when threatened Will retreat to water when threatened

Brown Water Snake Active during the day Feeds on frogs and fish that live in the emerging vegetation near the waters edge Aggressive snake when startled. Unwelcome guest when falls into boat

Midland Water Snake Fat bodied like other water snakes Often killed because of slight resemblance to the moccasin Up to five feet long Belly can be white with black markings or red with black markings

Rough Green Snake Commonly known as the garden snake Mild mannered graceful snake that is beneficial because of its hunting of insects and small mammals. Up to 102” long

Pine Snake Restricted to habitat with sandy soil Dorsal color is black to grey with a tan belly Powerful constrictors who hunt rats and other small mammals. When agitated, it will hiss, open mouth, and vibrate tail.

Stripped Crayfish Snake Iridescent brown with three stripes down either side - yellow to orange Lives in marshes and wetlands Uses powerful jaws to eat hard shelled crayfish

Ribbon Snake Named for its long slender body and the colorful stripes down the side of the body Found near the edges of stream, ponds, and marches Eats salamanders and frogs Common snake in Georgia

Brown Snake Small grey-brown with distinctive black border Large numbers congregate and hibernate together. Feeds on earthworms, slugs, and snails

Southeastern Crowned snake Reddish brown with black band that extends to the corner of the mouth Reddish brown with black band that extends to the corner of the mouth Live in flat pine woods and oak forest where soil is damp Live in flat pine woods and oak forest where soil is damp Feeds on worms, slugs, and insect larva that it finds while burrowing in decayed logs Feeds on worms, slugs, and insect larva that it finds while burrowing in decayed logs

Black Swamp Snake Handsome small snake usually no longer than 18” Makes home near and around waterways Feeds on leaches, salamanders, and fish Fairly uncommon, but can be seen in enormous numbers at various sites in Georgia

Red-bellied Snake Identified by its crimson red belly Often found with Smooth Earth snake When startled, it will curl its upper lip. Eats slugs and earthworms

Smooth Earth Snake Very plain snake that is light brown Lives in Deciduous forest and surrounding ecotone Stays under rocks and likes to congregate with other small snakes

Rough Earth Snake Small snake with rough scales Only seen when digging in the rich soils that it habitats Eats worms and whatever else it can find in the dirt

Cool Picture Snake with a catfish Snake with a catfish

Eastern Coral Snake Identified by the black, yellow, and red bands that encompass the entire body Black and red never touch Preys on small snakes and other small reptiles

Copperhead Pit viper, light brown body with hour glass dark brown bands Found in bottomland hardwood forest and piedmont pine forest Preys on a wide variety of insects, reptiles and small mammals

Cottonmouth A stout bodied dark colored snake with a large white color mouth. A stout bodied dark colored snake with a large white color mouth. Swims with its head out of water Swims with its head out of water Preys on sirens, lizards, frogs, fish, and snakes Preys on sirens, lizards, frogs, fish, and snakes Up to 74” long Up to 74” long

FUN FACT The fierce snake, or inland taipan, is the world's most venomous snake; its toxin is more than 50 times as potent as an Indian cobra's! The fierce snake, or inland taipan, is the world's most venomous snake; its toxin is more than 50 times as potent as an Indian cobra's!

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake The largest rattlesnake in the world Dark brown diamond pattern on a light yellow back Live in pine forest and abandoned fields Strikes up 175 mph

Canebreak/Timber Rattlesnake Found in upland forest with rocky outcrops and other early to middle succession forest Found in upland forest with rocky outcrops and other early to middle succession forest Feed on rabbits, squirrel, mice and sometime other snakes Feed on rabbits, squirrel, mice and sometime other snakes The large snake is preyed upon by bobcats, skunks, coyotes, and snake eating snakes. The large snake is preyed upon by bobcats, skunks, coyotes, and snake eating snakes.

Pigmy Rattlesnake Called the “ground rattler” because it can only be heard from a few feet away Perhaps one of the more dangerous snakes because of its small size and quiet rattle Eats lizards, small snakes, and mice

A Little Snake Humor The Bunny and the Snake Once upon a time (allegedly), in a nice little forest, there lived an orphaned bunny and an orphaned snake. By a surprising coincidence, both were blind from birth. The Bunny and the Snake Once upon a time (allegedly), in a nice little forest, there lived an orphaned bunny and an orphaned snake. By a surprising coincidence, both were blind from birth. One day the bunny was hopping through the forest, and the snake was slithering through the forest, when the bunny tripped over the snake and fell down. This, of course, knocked the snake about quite a bit. One day the bunny was hopping through the forest, and the snake was slithering through the forest, when the bunny tripped over the snake and fell down. This, of course, knocked the snake about quite a bit. "Oh, my," said the bunny, "I'm terribly sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I've been blind since birth, so I can't see where I'm going. In fact, since I'm also an orphan, I don't know what I am." "Oh, my," said the bunny, "I'm terribly sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I've been blind since birth, so I can't see where I'm going. In fact, since I'm also an orphan, I don't know what I am."

Humor Continued It's quite OK," replied the snake. "Actually, my story is much the same as yours. I, too, have been blind since birth, and also never knew my mother. Tell you what, maybe I could slither all over you, and work out what you are, so, at least you'll have that going for you." It's quite OK," replied the snake. "Actually, my story is much the same as yours. I, too, have been blind since birth, and also never knew my mother. Tell you what, maybe I could slither all over you, and work out what you are, so, at least you'll have that going for you." "Oh, that would be wonderful, " replied the bunny. "Oh, that would be wonderful, " replied the bunny. So the snake slithered all over the bunny, and said, "Well, you're covered with soft fur, you have really long ears; your nose twitches; and you have a soft, cottony tail. I'd say that you must be a bunny rabbit." So the snake slithered all over the bunny, and said, "Well, you're covered with soft fur, you have really long ears; your nose twitches; and you have a soft, cottony tail. I'd say that you must be a bunny rabbit." "Oh, thank you, thank you, " cried the bunny in obvious excitement. The bunny suggested to the snake, "Maybe I could feel you all over with my paw, and help you the same way you've helped me!" "Oh, thank you, thank you, " cried the bunny in obvious excitement. The bunny suggested to the snake, "Maybe I could feel you all over with my paw, and help you the same way you've helped me!" So the bunny felt the snake all over, and remarked, "Well, you're smooth and slippery, and you have a forked tongue and no backbone. I'd say you must be French." So the bunny felt the snake all over, and remarked, "Well, you're smooth and slippery, and you have a forked tongue and no backbone. I'd say you must be French."