Despite it not being commonly known, the Appalachian Mountains have some of the most diverse reptile life in the United States. The region is renowned for its salamander populations, but snakes seem to be regularly overlooked. Within the range are many species of snake, some dangerous and some (most) harmless. The mountains extend from Georgia to Maine, nearly all of the east coast. Today, we will look at some of the most common snakes you may encounter if visiting the mountains, although there could be a few other species. Let’s get started!
Venomous snakes in the Appalachian Mountains
Copperhead
The most common venomous snake in the eastern United States is the copperhead. As such, copperheads are the most common venomous snakes that can be found along the Appalachian Range. These beautiful snakes belong to the pit viper family and are dangerous, although not as dangerous as their cousins (the rattlesnake and cottonmouth). Copperheads are copper-colored, have golden eyes, and triangular heads. Additionally, the pattern across their back resembles an hourglass shape, with the thin portion lying on their spines and the larger reservoirs lying along their sides. This banding pattern repeats down their backs. Copperhead can be found on rock shelves and along woodland floors.
Timber rattlesnake
Timber rattlesnakes are the most common rattlesnakes in the northern portions of the eastern United States and are relatively cold tolerant. As such, they can be found across most of the Appalachian Mountains. Like the copperhead, timber rattlesnakes are pit vipers and are quite venomous. A timber rattlesnake bite is extremely dangerous and warrants immediate medical assistance. You can identify timber rattlesnakes by checking for their rattle on the end of their tails. There are no other rattlesnake species commonly seen in the Appalachian Mountains, so this should be a good tell. Additionally, timber rattlesnakes have a tan or brown body with a jagged banding pattern down their backs. These snakes are often melanistic and can be entirely black or have portions of their bodies that are entirely black.
Water moccasin
Water moccasins (cottonmouths) aren’t common residents along the Appalachian Mountains. They are generally found in swampy wetlands and lowlands. Their range slightly intersects with the Appalachian Mountains in Georgia (the most southern section of the mountains), but other states are unlikely to have these snakes living along the range. Still, water moccasins are large, venomous snakes that are related to copperheads and rattlesnakes. Cottonmouths get their name from their white mouths, which they often flash as a warning to predators. They don’t have rattles but are thick and stocky like a rattlesnake. Additionally, they are dark brown and have a dark banding pattern (that’s occasionally washed out) heading down their backs.
Nonvenomous snakes in the Appalachian Mountains
Ringneck snake
Among the most common snakes, even if they aren’t always visible, are ringneck snakes. Ringneck snakes are small, harmless snakes that spend most of their time hiding under rocks in damp areas. They are extremely prevalent across the Appalachians, although a little rock-flipping is needed to see them since they rarely venture out. These snakes are nonvenomous and are quite cute. Ringneck snakes are usually black or gray and have bright orange, red, or yellow bellies. Additionally, they have a ring around their necks that is the same color as their belly, giving them their name.
Ratsnakes
There are a few species of rat snake across the United States, with the gray and black rat snake being the most common along the Appalachian Range. These common snakes get their names from their habit of eating small mammals (namely rats and mice), and they can be found pretty much anywhere in North America. They do get quite long, but they are nonvenomous and can’t harm a human. The black rat snake is usually a dark black color with a cream belly, with some of its scales being ringed in pale white. The gray ratsnake has a gray or light brown body with squarish brown splotches running down its back.
Garter snake
Garter snakes are probably the most commonly seen snakes in the eastern United States. There are dozens of unique subspecies, with the common garter snake being the most common. These snakes aren’t dangerous and live almost everywhere, including most of the Appalachian Range. The best way to identify garter snakes is by their stripe pattern. They can come in base colors of brown, tan, black, or gray, but they will always have three stripes running vertically from head to tail. The stripes are usually yellow or white, with one along the spine and the other two along the sides.
Eastern hognose
Eastern hognose snakes aren’t well-known snakes, although they are prevalent across much of the eastern United States. They are technically venomous, but their venom isn’t powerful enough to harm a human. Their primary mode of defense is to roll over and emit a foul smell, hoping to convince a predator they are dead. Hognose snakes are shorter, stocky snakes that get their name from their shove-like nose. They are usually a mixture of tan, dark brown, and black in various splotches across their bodies.
Kingsnakes
Kingsnakes are a category of snakes that include many related species. Some of the most commonly seen kingsnakes include the eastern kingsnake, milksnakes, and scarlet kingsnakes. Many species of kingsnakes are coral snake mimics, although no species of kingsnake is venomous. They get their name from their habit of eating other snakes, especially venomous ones. Kingsnakes have a natural immunity to certain venoms, allowing them to prey on dangerous prey. Each species of kingsnake looks drastically different from one another. Milksnakes and scarlet snakes have a pattern of red, black, and yellow bands (similar to a coral snake), while eastern kingsnakes are much larger and are black with white bands.
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