The 5 Largest Snakes Near Charlotte, North Carolina

Written by Brandi Allred
Published: June 16, 2022
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Some of the largest snakes in North Carolina are completely harmless to humans, but not all of them. Among the largest species of snakes in the Charlotte region is one of the deadliest pit vipers in North America. But, Charlotte, and the surrounding area, isn’t just home to big snakes. There are over 20 species of snakes living in and around Charlotte, and most of them are small and harmless. Like all wild animals, snakes just want to be left alone. Contrary to popular belief, snakes aren’t aggressive, and most would rather flee or hide, than resort to biting.

Here, we’ll learn about the five largest snakes near Charlotte, North Carolina. We’ll take a look at the appearance and behavior of each, as well as their distribution and what kinds of habitats they prefer. 

Read on to learn about the five largest snakes near Charlotte!

5. Eastern Kingsnake

Eastern Kingsnake
Lampropeltis getula

, the eastern kingsnake, has a wide distribution throughout the southeastern United States. 

©iStock.com/JasonOndreicka

Appearance and Behavior

Eastern kingsnakes are among the largest snakes near Charlotte, North Carolina. They grow to a maximum length of four feet long. Kingsnakes have medium heavy bodies with heads not much wider than their necks. Their most characteristic feature is the thin, tan banding that runs up the sides of their body and across their backs. Kingsnakes also have small, yellow eyes. Their bellies are mottled tan and black.

Location and Habitat

Eastern kingsnakes live as far north as New Jersey, their range includes all of North Carolina. They don’t climb trees or swim, but they do like hanging out near sources of water. Eastern kingsnakes are habitat generalists who can thrive just about anywhere, as long as there is adequate cover and plenty of prey. They constrict their prey, which may include turtle eggs, smaller snakes and lizards, rodents, and birds. But, most interestingly, kingsnakes frequently eat venomous snakes like cottonmouths, rattlesnakes, and copperheads.

4. Timber Rattlesnake

Timber rattlesnaake coiled in a loop
Crotalus horridus

, the timber rattlesnake, is common throughout much of the eastern United States. In Florida, they inhabit only the extreme northern part of the state.

©Frode Jacobsen/Shutterstock.com

Appearance and Behavior

Timber rattlesnakes grow up to six feet long, with heavy bodies. They’re also known as canebrake rattlesnakes. Timber rattlers have pale, tan bodies, with narrow, hexagonal, dark brown bands. Their heads are wide and triangular, a hallmark of the pit viper family. In addition to their rattles, these snakes also have vertically elliptical eyes, large fangs, heat sensing pits and venom glands just behind the eyes.

Location and Habitat

Timber rattlesnakes are some of the largest snakes near Charlotte, North Carolina. These terrestrial snakes are habitat generalists, and live primarily in rural areas. You’re not likely to find a timber rattlesnake in suburban settings.

3. Northern Water Snake

northern water snake curled up in leaves
Nerodia sipedon

, the

northern water snake

, does not live in the coastal parts of the southeastern United States. Instead, these snakes live inland and farther north.

©iStock.com/IcemanJ

Appearance and Behavior

The northern water snake is one of the largest snakes near Charlotte, North Carolina. They grow to a maximum length of six feet long, and have heavy bodies. Northern water snakes are similar in appearance to cottonmouths, though they lack both the white mouth and the vertically elliptical pupils of the cottonmouth. They range in color from dusky gray to dark brown, and have irregular splotches covering their bodies. Their heads are slightly wider than their necks, and have a slight triangular shape.

Location and Habitat

Northern water snakes don’t live in suburban or even urban areas. As their name suggests, they’re semi-aquatic, and live near sources of permanent water, like rivers, lakes and swamplands. They eat fish, frogs and small mammals. In North Carolina, they are absent from the southeastern quarter of the state. Northern water snakes are often seen basking on tree limbs overhanging the water.

2. Black Racer

Southern black racer curled up
Coluber constrictor

, the black racer, has a very wide distribution. They live throughout almost all of the eastern United States. However, they live only in the southern part of Maine.

©Psychotic Nature/Shutterstock.com

Appearance and Behavior

Black racer snakes may be thin, but they’re one of the largest snakes near Charlotte, North Carolina. These light-bodied snakes reach up to six feet long. They have shiny black scales and narrow heads with round pupils. Their bellies are dark, but they have white scales on their throats and chins. Juvenile black racers are light gray with brown splotches and bright red eyes. Black racers are often confused with other snakes, like rat snakes or hognose snakes.

Location and Habitat

Black racer snakes live throughout North Carolina, but aren’t likely to be found in urban settings. These snakes can thrive in a wide variety of habitats, and will eat everything from insects and frogs to mice and birds. They’re not venomous, and present no threat to humans. Unlike some species of snakes in the southeast, black racers only come out during the day. Black racer snakes live near water, but don’t generally live in, or hunt in, aquatic settings.

1. Eastern Rat Snake

Black Rat snake in Virginia's Caledon State Park. These are large, non-venomous snakes between 3.5 and 7 feet (one and two meters) long.
Pantherophis alleghaniensis

, the eastern rat snake, poses no threat to humans, despite its fearsome appearance.

©iStock.com/RCKeller

Appearance and Behavior

Eastern rat snakes start out as brown, patterned juveniles. Adults are almost entirely black, and grow up to seven feet long, making them some of the largest snakes near Charlotte, North Carolina. Adult rat snakes have pale, white bellies and chins, and dark sides and back. Their heads are wider than their bodies, but are not triangular in shape like the timber rattlesnake’s head. These snakes are nonvenomous, and have round pupils and no heat sensing pits.

Location and Habitat

Eastern rat snakes don’t shy away from the suburbs. In fact, these snakes may actually come into outbuildings, like sheds or garages, to hunt for rodents like mice and rats. They also eat frogs, toads, birds and other small creatures. Because they lack venom, eastern rat snakes rely on constricting their prey to death. They live as far north as Connecticut, and as far south as South Carolina.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Psychotic Nature/Shutterstock.com

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About the Author

Brandi is a professional writer by day and a fiction writer by night. Her nonfiction work focuses on animals, nature, and conservation. She holds degrees in English and Anthropology, and spends her free time writing horror, scifi, and fantasy stories.

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