Pharaoh Serpentz LLC

05/20/2023

07/17/2022

North Carolina Scarlet Kingsnake
Mimic
Non Venomous

Description: Although quite different in appearance, the scarlet kingsnake and milksnake are actually different subspecies (races) of the same snake. The scarlet kingsnake is arguably the most beautiful snake in North Carolina. Scarlet kingsnakes are usually thought to be mimics of the venomous coral snakes and have bright red, black, and yellow bands that extend across the belly. This snake has a red nose and its red and yellow bands are separated by black ones, thus distinguishing them from coral snakes. The dorsal scales of scarlet kingsnakes and milksnakes are smooth.

Feeding/Diet: Scarlet kingsnakes and milksnakes are constrictors and eat small snakes, lizards, and mice.

Habitat/Range: Scarlet kingsnakes are found within rotting logs and under bark in the pine forests of the Coastal Plain. They are rare in the Piedmont.

Reproduction: Scarlet kingsnakes and milksnakes both breed in the spring and lay 2–17 eggs during the summer.

Miscellaneous: Because of their resemblance to the venomous coral snakes, scarlet kingsnakes should be picked up only by those expert in snake identification.

07/17/2022

North Carolina Eastern Coral Snake

VENOMOUS

Description: Coral snakes are rather slender snakes distinguished by a body with red, yellow, and black rings. The head of this species is rather indistinct from the neck, and the snout is blunt compared to most other snakes. In the United States, one can distinguish a venomous coral snake from its nonvenomous mimics, the scarlet kingsnake and the scarlet snake, because coral snakes have yellow bands adjacent to their red bands. An old poem is a helpful reminder: “Red and black, friend of Jack; red and yellow, kill a fellow.” In addition, scarlet kingsnakes and scarlet snakes have red snouts, whereas the snout of a coral snake is black.

Feeding/diet: Coral snakes have small, immoveable fangs in the front of their mouths that they use to kill their prey, usually small snakes and lizards.

Habitat/range: Coral snakes live in sandy areas and stay underground most of the time. Coral snakes are extremely rare in North Carolina and are considered endangered by the state.

Miscellaneous: Coral snakes are members of the family Elapidae, which includes the cobras and mambas. When the eastern coral snake bites, it usually holds tightly while the venom takes effect. Generally, people get bitten by coral snakes while attempting to pick one up. Though they often chew when they bite, they don’t have to chew to inject their venom. Coral snake venom attacks the central nervous system, and death, if it occurs, is usually the result of respiratory failure.

07/16/2022

HOW TO IDENTIFY A VENOMOUS SNAKE

Snakes, in general, are alarming to many people; venomous snakes are even scarier. However, did you know that venomous snakes are not that easy to find? Less than a third of the entire snake species is venomous, but it is still important to tell them apart.

If you ever find yourself in a sticky situation where you need to tell a venomous snake from a non-venomous snake, use these tips to the best of your ability. However, keep in mind that there are always exceptions to the rule. Many of these tips would involve getting close to the snake to determine if it is venomous or not, so it is always better to be safe than sorry; assume every snake you encounter is venomous and avoid it completely, if possible. If you truly want to find out if a snake is venomous, call an expert.

Venomous Snakes in the United States

First, let’s go over the four venomous snakes that exist in the U.S.: rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths (AKA water moccasins) and coral snakes.

All are pit vipers except the coral snake. And the coral snake is arguably the most dangerous as it is the exception to many of the rules. We will come back to that in a minute.

Breaking the Myths

There are plenty of myths that claim they can help you differentiate between a venomous and non-venomous snake. Perhaps you have even heard one or two.

The biggest one is that only venomous snakes have triangular heads when most snakes have triangular heads. Another is that venomous snakes have a distinct color or pattern on their scales. Lots of harmless snakes have distinct patterns and colors, and there are even a few venomous ones that don’t have any pattern.

A third myth is that only venomous snakes shake their tails when many will do this. However, the venomous rattlesnake is the only one with a real rattle.

Tips on Identifying Venomous Snakes

When looking at a venomous snake, look for a big, broad head and elliptical pupils like a cat; most non-venomous snakes have round pupils. Also, keep in mind that most pit vipers have a hole on their face for heat sensing. The hole is located between the eye and nose.

Another giveaway could be the snake’s behavior. For example, cottonmouths/water moccasins will swim on water with their entire body above the water while harmless water snakes swim with only their head above water.

As I said earlier, the coral snake is the trickiest because it has a round head, round pupils and no heat-sensing hole. However, the coral snake is known for its colorful pattern of red, yellow and black stripes. The Scarlet king snake and Florida scarlet snake also have this pattern, so keep this rhyme in mind: “Red touch yellow, kill a fellow. Red touch black, friend of Jack.” In other words, if the red and yellow stripes touch, it is a coral snake. If the red and black stripes touch, it should be harmless.

Final Warning

Again, while these tips may help you, there are harmless snakes that mimic venomous snakes’ patterns, and vice versa, so you have to be careful when handling snakes. It is always better to consult an expert than to wind up being bitten, as venomous snake bites can lead to death if not treated properly.

07/16/2022

Does North Carolina have RattlesnakeS ?

🚨Protected under North Carolina Law🚨
Endangered: Diamondback Rattlesnake
Threatened: Timber Rattlesnake, Pigmy Rattlesnake

Since copperhead snakes are well known in the region, we think it might be a good idea to talk about another venomous snake that should be respected and understood – the rattlesnake.

North Carolina Rattlers

There are three types of rattlesnakes that call North Carolina home: the timber rattlesnake, eastern diamond back, and pigmy. The timber can be found throughout the state, and the eastern diamond back and pigmy rattlesnakes are found in southeastern areas.

🐍 Timber Rattlesnake wood north carolina

Located throughout the state, but most heavily in the Coastal Plains and Blue Ridge mountains. They can handle diverse habitats, from rivers and marshes to wooded areas and fields.

o Adults range from 3-6 feet

o Come in an assortment of colors

o Backs usually adorned with long brown or orange streaks. They also have prominent black V-shaped bands running the length of their bodies

🐍 Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake north carolina

The largest of the 32 recognized rattlesnakes, and are found mostly in the southeastern regions of the state.

o Adults range 33”-72” and weigh nearly 10lbs

o Covered with brown diamonds surrounded by lighter scales

o Moves most often in morning or sunset during summer

🐍 Pigmy Rattlesnake north carolina snakes

Smaller than the other two rattlers found in North Carolina, the pigmy is found in the Coastal Plains, but it can also be found in more central southern regions of the state, bordering South Carolina.

o Adults range from 14”-22”

o Can be gray, tan, or lavender

o Small rattle that often goes unheard

🚑 Staying Safe

When hiking or walking through the wilderness – or even just some overgrowth that isn’t often disturbed, take care where you step. Since most bites occur out of accidents instead of intentional confrontation with rattlesnakes, this means most bites can be avoided. When hiking, wear thick and high top boots. You may also want to carry a walking stick you can use to check for snakes in hidden areas before continuing.

If you see a snake, stop and back away. Do not try to move or kill the snake, as they are very well equipped to defend themselves with lightning reflexes and venom injecting fangs.

If you are concerned that a rattlesnake, or any poisonous snake, has taken up residence in or near your property, it’s best to contact a professional to survey the situation and remove the animal.

07/16/2022

🚨North Carolina Rescue and Release Don’t kill list!!!!

Which threatened or endangered snakes live in North Carolina?

Loss of habitat and declining numbers landed two venomous snake species on N.C.’s endangered species list in 2001. Two additional venomous and four nonvenomous species are classified as N.C. “species of Special Concern” for the same reasons. These designations make it illegal to collect the snakes without a permit. Killing them is allowed only when they pose a clear and imminent threat to health and safety. All plants and animals are protected within the boundaries of national and state parks, as well as in some other nature preserves and sanctuaries.

Are snakes protected by law?

Eight of the North Carolina’s 37 snake species receive protection under the state’s endangered wildlife law:

* Endangered: Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Eastern Coral Snake

* Theatened: Timber Rattlesnake, Pigmy Rattlesnake, Southern Hognose Snake, Pine Snake, Carolina Water Snake, Outer Banks Kingsnake

Nine species of snakes are listed as threatened, endangered, or of special concern at the State or Federal level and cannot be harmed, harassed, or relocated without an Endangered Species Permit obtained from the NCWRC RAPS.

Listed Species Include:
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes,
Timber Rattlesnakes,
Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnakes,
Eastern Coral Snakes,
Northern Pine Snakes,
Carolina Watersnakes,
Outer Banks Kingsnakes,
Smooth Green Snakes,
Southern Hognose Snakes.

07/16/2022

There are 37 different species of snakes in North Carolina.

Only six of which are venomous (see below for list of venomous species). Snakes are extremely beneficial to the environment, feeding heavily on rats, mice, and insects. Nine species of snakes are listed as threatened, endangered, or of special concern at the State or Federal level and cannot be harmed, harassed, or relocated without an Endangered Species Permit obtained from the NCWRC RAPS.

Listed Species Include: Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes, Timber Rattlesnakes, Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnakes, Eastern Coral Snakes, Northern Pine Snakes, Carolina Watersnakes, Outer Banks Kingsnakes, Smooth Green Snakes, Southern Hognose Snakes.

What kind of damage is caused by snakes? Damage caused by snakes is relatively uncommon compared to damage from birds or mammals. The most common types of damage that occur from snakes are predation of eggs in chicken coops and snakes entering buildings.

Can a WDCA write a depredation permit? Yes, a depredation permit can be issued for non-listed species by a WDCA but only if property damage has occurred or the animal is posing a direct threat to human safety (only applies to venomous snakes). See below for distinguishing between venomous snakes and non-venomous snakes.

Can snakes be relocated? Yes, non-listed species can be relocated on private property with landowner permission. However, most species will die from stress if they are relocated more than two miles away from the site of capture. If a snake is found inside of someone’s house it is best to relocate the animal on the property if possible.

What can I do with sick or injured snakes? There are licensed wildlife rehabilitators across the state that can take in sick or injured snakes.

Are there any safety concerns? There are no major safety concerns related to non-venomous species (see the first pages of this document for general safety concerns related to handling wildlife), however if you are handling venomous species it is important to use the proper tools (e.g. snake hooks, snake tongs, gamma seal buckets with small holes in the lid for transport) to minimize your chance of being bitten. Do not use head shape or pupil shape to attempt to identify whether a snake is venomous (see photos below). If bitten by a venomous species, you should seek medical attention and call the NC Snake bite hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

Non-lethal Options:
• See the General Considerations for Handling Wildlife document for general ways to prevent damage from wildlife.
• Education is the best coexisting option for snakes. Most snake species that people encounter in and around their homes are non-venomous and pose no threat to human/pet safety.
• Relocation- see the “Can snakes be relocated?” section for information on relocating snakes.
• For rat snakes entering chicken coops, identify the area where the snake is coming in (often at
doors or windows) and seal it off.
• Removal of debris, junk, or wood piles from lawns as well as frequent mowing and weeding will
help prevent both snakes and rodents (a common food source and attractant of snakes) from coming on to properties.

• There are many products advertised to repel snakes, but none are proven to work. Chemical applications such as Sulphur are ineffective. Additionally, applying any type of chemical in a manner different than what is stated on the label is illegal.

Lethal Options:
• Relocation (especially short distances) and education is GREATLY preferred to lethal options.
• A snake can be euthanized humanely (via AVMA euthanasia guidelines for reptiles) if a
depredation permit has been written due to property damage, or if the snake is causing an immediate threat to human safety (only applies to venomous species) .
Identifying Venomous from Non-Venomous Species:
• When it comes to venomous snake identification there are a lot of myths about what to look for. The below items should NEVER be used to identify a venomous snake:
o Head Shape (most non-venomous species flatten their heads to have a triangle shape when threatened).
o Pupil Shape (snakes pupils dilate just like humans and look round).
o Rattling Tail (many non-venomous species rattle tails to trick predators into thinking
they are venomous when they are not).
• The best way to identify a venomous snake is to learn what venomous snakes are in your area
and what they typically look like.
o Use herpsofnc.org for range maps to show you which species are in your county.
o Use a whole-body approach (e.g. color, pattern (bands vs saddles), size, and range) to
identify species, there is no single “magic trick” to identifying a venomous snake.

07/16/2022

Why do we celebrate National Snake Day?

World Snake Day is celebrated every year on July 16 to raise awareness about the different types of snake species and the important role they play in maintaining ecological balance.

Snakes have gotten something of a bad rap over the past few thousand years. What with that one snake tricking that nice lady into eating an apple way back when, thus condemning the entire human race to mortality, snakes have been mistrusted if not flat-out feared.

And while it is understandable that people may fear an animal that can easily kill them, we think these fascinating, diverse creatures that range from several inches to 30 feet long, and from friendly and docile to aggressive and deadly, deserve for people to find out more about them.

World Snake Day is an important day when it comes to increasing awareness about the different species of snake all around the world. Snakes tend to have a negative connotation. A lot of people are scared of snakes, and of course, we can definitely understand the reasons why! No one likes the thought of being gobbled up by a snake, do they? Plus, when someone is two-faced or a bad person, they are often referred to as snakes. However, snakes are great creatures and they are so important to the world that we live in.

Did you know that there are more than 3,5000 species of a snake around the world? Because of this, it is not going to be a challenge for you to find a snake that fascinates you and interests you that you may not have heard of before, even if you are someone who is interested in snakes and you have a pet snake of your own! So, this is one of the good reasons why to research snakes and learn more about them on this date. After all, there is so much that you can learn!

Of the 3,500 species of a snake around the world, there are only around 600 that are venomous. This is less than 25 percent of snakes! There are only 200 species of snake that pose a considerable risk to human life as well. Therefore, snakes are nowhere near as worrying or scary as we think they are. Of course, this does not mean that you should go up and start petting any snake that you come across! However, it is definitely something to think about. Perhaps we give these animals a much harder time than they deserve?