No worriesssss: These Georgia snakes aren’t venomous

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PHOTOS: The Peach State has its fair share of both venomous and non-venomous snakes, but odds are that you’ll come across a snake that can’t harm you instead of one that could. Here are a few to know.

The UGA Savannah River Ecology Laboratory Herpetology Program (http://srelherp.uga.edu) offers everything you need to know to stay safe around snakes. Make sure you visit their website for everything you’d ever want to learn about the snakes in our state and region. Here, we turn to them once again, this time for information on non-venomous snakes, starting with the WORM SNAKE, which is usually found hiding under logs, rocks or leaves. PHOTOS: All from srelherp.uga.edu. TEXT SOURCE: All from srelherp.uga.edu. INFO BY: J.D. Willson.

SCARLET SNAKE -- They’re small and skinny and yes, it’s understandable that folks might mistake them for coral snakes, which are highly venomous. You won’t see them during the day since they’re active at night. If you do see one, leave it be and remember the old rhyme -- “red-touch-black, venom-lack; red-touch-yellow, kill a fellow” -- to distinguish it from its semi-doppelganger. INFO BY: J.D. Willson.

BLACK RACER -- Found from southern Maine to Florida, black racers are active during the day, make their homes in a variety of Southeast habitats and snack on insects, birds, rodents, amphibians, etc. But if you approach one, it may attempt to strike. Usually, it will just flee. INFO BY: J.D. Willson.

RINGNECK SNAKE -- As the name suggests, this common snake has a distinguishing ring around its neck and may have a yellow or orange belly. Northern ringnecks are found in the mountains while the southern subspecies is a Coastal Plain dweller. INFO BY: Stacey Vigil, University of Georgia – edited by J.D. Willson.

EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE -- In Georgia, you’ll have to head south to find this large blue-black snake, the longest native to the U.S.. They’re active only in the daytime and they enjoy a nice buffet of varied prey -- mammals, birds and other snakes, including rattlesnakes and cottonmouths. It’s a federally-protected species and is listed as threatened in Georgia and Florida. INFO BY: Andrew M. Grosse, University of Georgia – edited by J.D. Willson.

CORN SNAKE -- This is a juvenile, which looks quite different from...

... an adult. CORN SNAKES get a raw deal (or the business end of a hoe) thanks to often being mistaken for venomous copperheads. But look closely -- the corn snake's blotches are square; the copperhead’s are hourglass-shaped. They’re adept at climbing, are active day and night and eat different kinds of mammals, birds and other reptiles. INFO BY: Alicia Hudson, University of Georgia – edited by J.D. Willson.

RAT SNAKES may be black, yellow or gray and have a wide range throughout the eastern and midwestern U.S. You’ll find them throughout the state of Georgia. They also thrive in a variety of diverse habitats, from mountains to swamps. Small rodents (mice and rats), squirrels, birds and bird eggs are their prey. INFO BY: J.D. Willson.

Here’s a juvenile RAT SNAKE, whose favorite snacks include small rodents and frogs as well as lizards. INFO BY: J.D. Willson.

The yellow RAT SNAKE is found along the Georgia coast. INFO BY: Trey Dunn - edited by Whit Gibbons.

You’ll find gray RAT SNAKES along the Savannah River in southern South Carolina and in south Georgia. INFO BY: Trey Dunn - edited by Whit Gibbons.

MUD SNAKES rarely come out of the water, preferring to hide in the aquatic vegetation and various wetlands that make up their habitat. In Georgia, you’ll mostly find them to the south in the Coastal Plain. Amphibians, including large aquatic salamanders, make up their prey. INFO BY: J.D. Willson.

This young MUD SNAKE has a vibrant red and black coloration. INFO BY: J.D. Willson.

RAINBOW SNAKES are, like mud snakes, rarely seen outside of the swamps and other water sources in which they live. As their name suggests, these snakes are multi-colored with black, red, pink and yellow scales. In Georgia, they inhabit the Coastal Plain region. These snakes have a tendency to eat eels. INFO BY: J.D. Willson.

With the nickname “puff adder,” the EASTERN HOGNOSE SNAKE sounds dangerous and puts on quite a show when threatened, hissing and lunging as it spreads its head and neck skin like a cobra. But these non-venomous snakes, found throughout Georgia, are mostly dangerous to toads -- their favorite food. INFO BY: Anna Tarter, University of Georgia - revised by J.D. Willson.

The SOUTHERN HOGNOSE SNAKE is far less common, found in the sandy and coastal areas of North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and some parts of south Alabama. They also enjoy snacking on toads and put on a threat display similar to the Eastern Hognose. INFO BY: J.D. Willson.

The MOLE KINGSNAKE, though rarely seen, makes its home throughout the PIedmont region of the Southeastern U.S. While they spend most of their time out of sight, you may run across them in open areas like fields or thickets. They feast on small mammals, birds, lizards and other snakes. INFO BY: Justin Oguni, University of Georgia - revised by J.D. Willson.

If you fear venomous snakes, consider yourself lucky if you have a resident EASTERN KINGSNAKE in your yard. These big snakes eat copperheads, rattlesnakes and cottonmouths, along with other snakes, rodents and turtle eggs. The Eastern Kingsnake is found throughout Georgia and is a protected species. INFO BY: Kimberly Andrews and J.D. Willson.

The SCARLET KINGSNAKE is often mistaken for the venomous Eastern coral snake due to its coloration. As SRELHerp writes on its site, these snakes “typically have alternating bands of red, black, and yellow in which red touches black but not yellow (in eastern coral snakes red touches yellow but not black.” In Georgia, they are mostly found in the Coastal Plain region. INFO BY: SRELHerp.

EASTERN MILKSNAKES , too, are often mistaken for venomous snakes -- specifically, the copperhead. But these harmless snakes are beneficial to anyone looking to keep rodent populations down. You’ll likely find them in barns and in Georgia, they’re found in the North Georgia/mountain region. INFO BY: SRELHerp.

If it’s daytime and it’s hot, you may come across a COACHWHIP -- unless you’re in the North Georgia mountains. These long, slender snakes love sandy soils, such as those in the Georgia Coastal Plain region, and are fast-moving. They may bite if captured, but again, they are non-venomous. Best to let these distinctive snakes be and leave them to their buffet of other snakes, rodents, birds, lizards and amphibians. INFO BY: J.D. Willson.

The RED-BELLIED WATERSNAKE makes its home in a large swath of south Georgia, excepting the deep southeastern area of the state. They’re found in lakes, creeks, rivers, wetlands and swamps. Amphibians and fish are their prey. INFO BY: Emily Rogers, University of Georgia – edited by J.D. Willson.

Another non-venomous snake often mistaken for the copperhead is the BANDED WATERSNAKE. These snakes are harmless, however, unless you’re a fish or an amphibian and it’s a banded watersnake’s lunchtime. These water-lovers make their home in the southern region of Georgia and are active day and night. INFO BY: Jessica Holland, University of Georgia – edited by J.D. Willson.

Here’s another look at the banded watersnake.

The GREEN WATERSNAKE is found primarily in Florida, but you’ll find them also in deep south Georgia and along the Savannah River area near the far southern tip of South Carolina. Swamps and marshes are their habitat. Fish and amphibians are their prey. They will bite when captured, but they are not venomous. INFO BY: Brittany Bloom, University of Georgia – edited by J.D. Willson.

NORTHERN WATERSNAKES are regularly mistaken for the venomous cottonmouth (water moccasin), but these hefty watersnakes are non-venomous. While cottonmouths are generally found only in Georgia’s Coastal Plain, northern watersnakes make their home in the mountains and Piedmont regions of our state. Lakes, ponds, marshes, rivers, and streams are their habitats. INFO BY: Andy Howington, University of Georgia – edited by J.D. Willson.

BROWN WATERSNAKES are large, hefty snakes. Because they prefer fish as prey, they’re more likely to be found in reservoirs and other areas that are permanent water sources. These watersnakes live in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions of Georgia and are not found in the mountain areas. They inflict painful, but not venomous, bites if cornered. INFO BY: Stacey Vigil, University of Georgia – edited by J.D. Willson.

You’ll find ROUGH GREEN SNAKES climbing in vegetation on the hunt for the insects and spiders they eat. These long, thin snakes are found throughout Georgia and are a protected species in the state. INFO BY: J.D. Willson.

Although non-venomous, PINE SNAKES are a threatened species in Georgia and are protected. They’re big, heavy-bodied burrowing snakes that will strike when approached. Pine snakes are found in Georgia’s Coastal Plain region and, being carnivores, they eat mice, rats, birds and similar small prey. INFO BY: Benjamin Morrison, University of Georgia -- edited by J.D. Willson.

The STRIPED CRAYFISH SNAKE is found only in a small part of extreme southern Georgia and is a protected species. Rarely seen, these aquatic snakes mostly feed on hard-shelled crayfish (hence their name) or shrimp. INFO BY: Jonathan Sloan, University of Georgia -- revised by J.D. Willson.

GLOSSY CRAYFISH SNAKES are more prevalent in Georgia’s Coastal Region than the striped crayfish snake, but are similarly water-loving and secretive. Like their striped cousins, they eat mostly crayfish and are rarely seen. They, too, are a protected species in Georgia. INFO BY: J.D. Willson, University of Georgia.

QUEEN SNAKES also primarily feast on newly molted crayfish, avoiding the hard-shelled variety. Less secretive than their glossy and striped cousins, queen snakes are mostly active during the day and are often found along streams and rivers. They range throughout the eastern US and in the southeast are most common in the mountain and Piedmont regions of Georgia. INFO BY: J.D. Willson, University of Georgia.

Rare in Georgia, the PINE WOODS SNAKE is found mainly in Florida and is also scattered along the Coastal Plain of the southeastern US. They prefer wetland margin areas and woodland habitats, eat other snakes along with small frogs, lizards and salamanders. These rare snakes are a protected species in Georgia. INFO BY: Justin Neal, University of Georgia – edited by J.D. Willson.

Unless you’re spending your days in boggy, highly-vegetated wetlands you’ll probably not see the BLACK SWAMP SNAKE. These small, black aquatic snakes with bright red bellies are found throughout Florida and along the southeastern US Coastal Plain from eastern North Carolina to Alabama. They eat a variety of aquatic prey -- small frogs, tadpoles, small fish -- and the species is protected in Georgia. INFO BY: J.D. Willson, Univ. of Georgia.

Odds are, you’ve come across a BROWN SNAKE while gardening or mowing the lawn or generally being outside in the spring and summer here in metro Atlanta. These shy, harmless snakes are unfortunately often mistaken for venomous copperheads and are killed. But brown snakes are interested mainly in snacking on slugs and earthworms. You’ll find them throughout the eastern US, excepting high elevations in the mountains. INFO BY: Glenn Thomas, University of Georgia – edited by J.D. Willson.

REDBELLIED SNAKES make their home throughout the eastern US, excepting the Florida peninsula. Although related to the brown snake, redbellied snakes are creatures of the forest, generally spurning the suburbs where brown snakes thrive. Slugs are their main food. In Georgia, redbellied snakes are a protected species. -- INFO BY: Kelly Overduijn, University of Georgia – edited by J.D. Willson.

Small and similar in appearance to the brown snake, the FLORIDA BROWN SNAKE is far less widespread than its cousin. They’re found only along the extreme southeastern coast and Okefenokee area of Georgia and are most prevalent in peninsular Florida. It’s a species that prefers areas with abundant ground cover. INFO BY: Jennifer O'Connor, University of Georgia – edited by J.D. Willson.

SOUTHEASTERN CROWNED SNAKES are distinguished by the black bands on their heads. You’ll find them in a variety of southeastern US states, but they are absent from southern Georgia and the Florida peninsula. They feed on insects, are seldom seen and are most common in dry pine forests and sandhills. INFO BY: Geoffrey Bailey, University of Georgia – edited by J.D. Willson.

Where the Southeastern Crowned Snake is absent, the FLORIDA CROWNED SNAKE is prevalent. They’re mostly found in peninsular central Florida (hence their name) and has been found in only a few extreme south Georgia areas. Highly secretive and rarely seen, these tiny snakes live underground, preferring sandhills and longleaf pine habitats. In Georgia, this species is protected. INFO BY: Carmel Norman, University of Georgia – edited by J.D. Willson.

EASTERN RIBBON SNAKES resemble their cousins, eastern garter snakes, but are more slender and are differently striped. They’re found throughout the eastern US, excepting the Appalachian Mountains. Semiaquatic, these snakes eat small fish and amphibians, preferring habitats near lakes, bogs and salt marshes. INFO BY: Christina Baker, University of Georgia – edited by J.D. Willson.

It’s easy to see how EASTERN GARTER SNAKES and their cousins, eastern ribbon snakes, are confused. Both are distinctively striped, both prefer habitats near water and both feed on fish and amphibians. But garter snakes are less slender than ribbon snakes and are found in a wide variety of environments, including the mountainous areas that ribbon snakes spurn. In suburban areas, garter snakes are common, usually found in some sort of cover. INFO BY: Amelia Gleaton, University of Georgia – edited by J.D. Willson.

In Georgia, the ROUGH EARTH SNAKE makes its home mainly in the central and southern areas of the state. It’s rare in the Piedmont region and is absent from southwest Georgia and peninsular Florida. These small, slender brown to gray snakes feed on earthworms and live underground. INFO BY: Jason Norman, University of Georgia – edited by J.D. Willson.

The SMOOTH EARTH SNAKE is a heavy-bodied snake with a pointed snout. More prevalent throughout the state of Georgia and the southeastern US, the smooth earth snake is, like its rough-scaled relative, absent from peninsular Florida. It exists in a variety of habitats, but prefers moist deciduous forests. Like the rough earth snake, the smooth variety eats earthworms and soft-bodied insects. INFO BY: Patia M. Connell, University of Georgia – edited by J.D. Willson.

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The UGA Savannah River Ecology Laboratory Herpetology Program (http://srelherp.uga.edu) offers everything you need to know to stay safe around snakes. Make sure you visit their website for everything you’d ever want to learn about the snakes in our state and region. Here, we turn to them once again, this time for information on non-venomous snakes, starting with the WORM SNAKE, which is usually found hiding under logs, rocks or leaves. PHOTOS: All from srelherp.uga.edu. TEXT SOURCE: All from srelherp.uga.edu. INFO BY: J.D. Willson.

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