Snakes of Georgia

1. 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.

2. Introduction • Reptiles are misunderstood because of misinformation, legends, myths and their nature • Most of these misunderstandings come from exaggeration or hallucinations Eastern Hognose Snake

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

4. 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

5. 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

7. CoachwhipMasticophis flagellum • Size: 42-60 inches • Maximum: 102 inches • Young: Hatched

8. Eastern Mud SnakeFarancia abacura • Size: 40-54 inches • Maximum: 80 inches • Young: Hatched

9. Southern Hognose SnakeHeterodon simus • Size: 14-20 inches • Maximum: 24 inches • Young: Hatched

10. Eastern Hognose SnakeHeterodon platyrhinos • Size: 18-30 inches • Maximum: 43 inches • Young: Hatched

11. Corn SnakeElaphe guttata • Size: 30-48 inches Maximum: 72 inches • Young: Hatched • Other common names: Red Rat Snake, House Snake

12. Albino Rat SnakeElaphe(Captured in Jackson County)

13. Yellow Rat SnakeElaphe obsoleta quadrivittata • Other common names: Yellow Chicken Snake, Banded Chicken Snake • Size: 42-72 inches • Maximum: 84 inches • Young: Hatched

14. Gray Rat SnakeElaphe obsoleta spiloides • Size: 42-72 inches • Maximum: 84 inches • Young: Hatched • Other common names: Gray Chicken Snake

15. Black Rat SnakeElaphe obsoleta • Other common names: Black Chicken Snake, Mountain Black Snake • Size: 42-72 inches • Maximum: 101 inches • Young: Hatched

16. Pine SnakePituophis melanoleucus • Size: 48-66 inches • Maximum: 83 inches • Young: Hatched

17. Eastern Indigo SnakeDrymarchon corais couperi • Size: 60-84 inches • Maximum: 103 ½ • Young: Hatched

18. Southeastern Crowned SnakeTantilla coronata • Size: 8-10 inches • Maximum: 13 inches • Young: Hatched

19. Eastern Worm SnakeCarphophis amoenus • Size: 7 ½ -11 inches • Maximum: 13 inches • Young: Hatched

20. Northern Black RacerColuber constrictor • Size: 36-60 inches • Maximum: 73 inches • Young: Hatched

21. Eastern CoachwhipMasticophis flagellum • Size: 42-60 inches • Maximum: 102 inches • Young: Hatched

22. Banded Water SnakeNerodia fasciata • Size: 24-42 inches • Maximum: 60 inches • Young: Born alive • Other common names: “Moccasin”

23. Brown Water SnakeNerodia taxispilota • Size: 30-60 inches • Maximum: 69 inches • Young: Born Alive

24. Eastern Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis • Size: 18-26 inches • Maximum: 48 inches • Young: Born Alive

25. Pigmy RattlesnakeSistrurus miliarius • Other common names: Barbour’s Pigmy Rattler • Size: 15-22 inches • Maximum: 31 inches • Young: Born Alive

26. Eastern Diamondback RattlesnakeCrotalus adamanteus • Size: 33-72 inches • Maximum: 96 inches • Young: Born Alive

27. Timber/Canebrake RattlesnakeCrotalus horridus • Size: 42-60 inches • Maximum: 74 inches • Young: Born Alive

28. CopperheadAgkistrodon contortrix • Size: 24-36 inches • Maximum: 52 inches • Young: Born Alive

29. CottonmouthAgkistrodon piscivorous • Size: 30-48 inches • Maximum: 74 inches • Young: Born Alive

30. Eastern Coral SnakeMicrurus fulvius • Size: 20-30 inches • Maximum: 47 ½ inches • Young: Hatched

31. Eastern KingsnakeLampropeltis getula • Size: 36-48 inches • Maximum: 82 inches • Young: Hatched • Other common names: Chain Snake, Thunder Snake

32. Mole SnakeLampropeltis calligaster rhombomaculata • Size: 30-40 inches • Maximum: 45 inches • Young: Hatched

33. 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

34. 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.

35. 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 reptiles—some 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.

36. 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.

37. 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.

38. 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.

39. 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 Nature’s 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”.

40. 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 snakes—even 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.

41. 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.

42. 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 habitats—meadows, 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.

43. 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.

44. Slide 27 cont’d – 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.

45. 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 water’s edge. The Cottonmouth’s 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.

46. 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.

47. 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 man’s friend.