Photo: Southeastern Outdoors

Habitat

Mostly found roosting under loose bark or in the cavity of a tree. However, they will also utilize caves and cracks in rocks. They have also been found in buildings and under eves. In the winter time, they either hibernate living off of stored fat, or they migrate to warmer climates where food is still available.

Feeding Behavior

Big Brown Bats are insectivore, so they only eat insects. Including beetles, wasps, bees, flies and more.  Usually hunting above the tree canopy, they are one of the first bats to emerge in the evening. They find their food using echolocation.

For more information visit: https://www.southeasternoutdoors.com/wildlife/mammals/big-brown-bat.html

Photo: SC Department of Natural Resources

Habitat

Though traditionally believed to be adapted to live in open areas, coyotes have expanded into most types of habitats. While they do well in agricultural communities, their relatively high tolerance for human populations allows coyotes to exist in most areas of South Carolina. This includes mountainous regions, swamps, dense forests, as well as suburban areas.

Feeding Behavior

Coyotes are opportunistic feeders, preying upon rabbits, rodents, and other small mammals, supplementing their diet with fruits, berries, and insects. They will eat carrion and will also prey upon deer fawns and occasionally on adult deer. One study on the Savannah River Site in Aiken County revealed that coyotes were preying upon more than half the deer fawns born.

For more information visit: https://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/species/coyote.html

Photo: Zach Steinhauser

Habitat

These rabbits seek out habitat on the fringes of open spaces, such as fields, meadows, and farms, but can adapt to other habitats—including those of humans.

Feeding Behavior

They browse at night on grasses and herbs and are fond of garden fare such as peas and, of course, lettuce. In winter, their diet becomes a bit coarse and consists of bark, twigs, and buds. During the day, cottontails often remain hidden in vegetation.

For more information visit: https://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/cottontail-rabbit/

Photo: Zach Steinhauser

Habitat

Cities, suburbs & towns, meadows & fields, scrub, shrub & brushlands, grasslands & prairies, forests and woodlands.

Feeding Behavior

Active year-round, and feeds on a variety of invertebrates including earthworms and ant larvae. About 99% of their time is spent underground, in tunnels and associated chambers.

For more information visit: https://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recnum=MA0052

Photo: Phil Myers/UMich

Habitat

Flying squirrels live in deciduous and coniferous forests and woodlands. They make their homes in snags, woodpecker holes, nest boxes, and abandoned nests of birds and other squirrels. Sometimes multiple squirrels will nest together to keep warm in the winter.

Feeding Behavior

Flying squirrels are omnivores. They eat a variety of foods including seeds, nuts, fungi, fruit, and insects. Southern flying squirrels are considered to be one of the most carnivorous squirrels because they supplement their diet with eggs, birds, and carrion.

For more information visit: https://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Library/Mammals/Flying-Squirrels.aspx

Photo: Zach Steinhauser

Habitat

The gray fox is considered a woodland inhabitant. While it benefits from an interspersion of forests and fields, it can also be found in fully timbered areas. In mixed areas of open land and woods, gray foxes’ ranges may overlap those of red foxes. Unlike the red fox, the gray can climb trees and does so occasionally to escape predators and hunting dogs. The gray fox’s ability to climb and its adaptation to completely forested areas may explain why they have not been displaced by coyotes, as red foxes have in some areas.

Feeding Behavior

The primary food of the gray fox is small mammals such as rats, mice, and rabbits. They have been known to occasionally feed on poultry, small birds, and insects. Plant foods are more important to the gray fox than the red fox. Grays commonly eat persimmons, grapes, and acorns. They will also eat carrion.

For more information visit: https://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/species/grayfox.html

Photo: Zach Steinhauser

Habitat

Hollow den trees are essential to squirrels for winter shelter and rearing of young. Research has shown that survival of litters is usually about 2.5 times as high in den trees as in leaf nests. Adult females with young will not tolerate other squirrels in the same den tree. Considering that only about 50 percent of the hollow trees identified from the ground up as suitable den trees, plenty of hollow trees are needed to satisfy the squirrel population. Known den trees should be marked and protected from cutting. Adult squirrels usually frequent at least two den trees located in their home range. Home range size varies from about 1.5 to 8 acres for individual squirrels, with many ranges overlapping.

Feeding Behavior

Squirrel reproduction and survival fluctuate with the changing availability of heavy-seeded mast (fruit from trees or shrubs), particularly acorns. When the heavy mast is not available, squirrels feed on other fruits and berries, floral parts, buds, bark, roots, mushrooms and some animal matter. About 1-1/2 pounds of mast per week is required for one squirrel from September through March.

For more information visit: https://www.clemson.edu/extension/natural_resources/wildlife/publications/fs13_gray_squirrel_biology_management.html

Photo: Don Pfritzer, USFW

Habitat

While most people think of bats living in caves, in the summer time bats live behind bark, in tree’s, jungles, and man-made structures such as buildings, barns, and bridges.

Feeding Habitats

Little Brown Bats are insectivore eating mostly flying insects. Including beetles, wasps, bees, flies and more.  Usually hunting above the tree canopy, they are one of the first bats to emerge in the evening. They find their food using echolocation.

For more information visit: https://www.southeasternoutdoors.com/wildlife/mammals/little-brown-bat.html

Photo: Zach Steinhauser

Habitat

Muskrats live in a large variety of habitats. The habitat for muskrats is almost anywhere they can find a year-round supply of food and water. They are found in ditches, streams, marshes, lakes, beaver ponds, mine pits, farm ponds, or any wetland area. For shelter they use bank burrows, houses built of vegetation and feeding huts. Bank burrows are usually 6 inches by 8 inches and are up to 60 inches long. Muskrats use bank dens mostly during the summer.

Feeding Behaviour

Muskrats are vegetarians and relish cattails, bulrush, smartweed, duck potato, horsetail, water lily, sedges, young willow sprouts, and pickerel weed. Muskrats will eat almost any aquatic vegetation, including the bulbs, roots, tubers, stems, and leaves of numerous wetland plants. They occasionally eat corn, soybeans, grain sorghum, and small grains. At times, particularly during periods of low food supply, muskrats will eat animals, including crayfish, mussels, turtles, frogs, or fish.

For more information visit: https://www.clemson.edu/extension/natural_resources/wildlife/publications/fs3_aquatic_furbearers.html

Photo: Zach Steinhauser

Habitat

The nine-banded armadillo inhabits the dense shady woodlands or pine forests. They are found in a warm and rainy environment, mostly in the in those regions that resemble their ancestral home. They are found in Peru, North Argentina and some regions of USA.  They stay in deep burrows during the day but are more active at the night. They cannot stay in cold and dry environments since they are only susceptible to dry and hot weather. It is also found in forests and rainforests.  It is an easily adaptable animal, and therefore can easily thrive in any region in open prairies, scrublands, and rainforests.  It prefers sandy or loamy soil to stay so that it can easily be excavated.  They have many burrows, but they up one to bring up their young one.

Feeding Behavior

The nine-banded armadillos are insectivores. They collect their food by digging the soil with their snouts in the soil that they select is loose. They also have a long tongue, with the help of which they grab ants, grubs, termites, and worms. They had peg-like teeth. Their tongue is sticky; therefore they can wrap up the insects in their tongue. This diet is accompanied by small reptiles, amphibians, and tubers.

For more information visit: https://www.animalspot.net/nine-banded-armadillo.html

Photo: Zach Steinhauser

Habitat

Raccoons occupy a variety of habitats but are mostly associated with aquatic areas. Raccoons are common in the coastal marshes and in bottomland hardwoods. Swamps with mature hardwood timber are preferred because of the availability of food and den trees. Other important areas are wooded streams flowing through agricultural areas and beaver ponds. The conversion of hardwoods to monoculture pines, the destruction of streamside timber, and development of coastal islands have reduced raccoon numbers in some areas.

Feeding Behavior

Raccoons commonly feed on crayfish, clams, frogs, salamanders, snails, and turtles. They are infamous predators of bird nests, particularly waterfowl. The diet also includes a wide variety of plant foods including acorns, berries, and wild grapes. During the winter months acorns may compose as much as 50% of the diet. During certain seasons of the year raccoons invade agricultural fields to feed on corn, watermelons, and peanuts and can cause some damage. Raccoons will scavenge on carrion and often invade household garbage.

For more information visit: https://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/species/raccoon.html

Photo: SC Department of Natural Resources

Habitat

The red fox favors open areas mixed with small woodlots and hedgerows. In the Pee Dee region of the state, it has found an ideal home around tobacco fields and commonly digs dens under old abandoned tobacco barns. Since red foxes do not climb trees like gray foxes do, they use underground dens for escape and resting. Red foxes are also numerous on the pasture lands of the Piedmont region.

Feeding Behavior

Red foxes feed on rabbits, mice, birds, and insects and also eat fruits and berries. Carrion will be eaten when found. They are opportunistic feeders, taking any acceptable food in proportion to availability.

For more information visit: https://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/species/redfox.html

Photo: Clemson University Cooperative Extension

Habitat

Otters prefer a wide variety of aquatic and wetland habitats. In general, otter habitat consists of any area that has a stable water level, an ample food supply (primarily fish), and no water pollution. Home to an otter is a beaver lodge, overhanging bank and previously excavated burrow, or root wads. Many river otter den sites are of beaver origin, either bank dens or lodges. Otters frequent these sites even when beavers are present in the lodges. Otters have also been observed using man-made Canada goose nesting platforms as daytime resting sites.

Feeding Behaviour

The feeding habits of river otters have been extensively studied. Otters are primarily fish eaters, although crayfish are also a favored food. Snakes, frogs, salamanders, snails, insects, clams, earthworms and a variety of mammals and birds have been recorded in otter diets. Otters’ feeding preference is usually based on what is available at the specific location. In the southern portion of their range where fish productivity is high, otters eat fish but eat crayfish when they are available. The relative abundance of various fish species and their maneuverability determine which fish species are eaten. This means that otters prey more on slow moving fish than on faster-moving species.

For more information visit: https://www.clemson.edu/extension/natural_resources/wildlife/publications/fs3_aquatic_furbearers.html

Photo: SC Department of Natural Resources

Habitat

Skunks use a variety of habitat types, preferring woodlands, semi-open farmland, and old abandoned fields. They are often found around farm yards, and their habit of denning under farm buildings and homes causes some problems. In forested areas skunks den in rock piles and under the roots of blown-down trees, or they use their well-developed claws to dig a den in the side of a bank.

Feeding Behavior

Skunks are omnivorous in their feeding habits. Insects are very important, particularly for striped skunks. Other animal matter eaten includes mice, rats, frogs, salamanders, small birds, and eggs. Fruits, berries, and grains supplement the diet in the summer months.

For more information visit: https://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/species/stripedskunk.html

Photo: SC Department of Natural Resources

Habitat

The opossum is one of the most adaptable animals in North America. The diversity of food items it will utilize allows it to live in almost all habitats in South Carolina. Opossums thrive in both woodlands and farmlands and are also commonly found in residential areas.

Feeding Behavior

The opossum diet is the most varied of all furbearers, with insects being the most important item. Opossums are known to eat fruits, crayfish, snails, worms, frogs, salamanders, dead fish and other carrion, mice, snakes, birds’ eggs and sometimes even birds and rabbits.

For more information visit: https://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/species/opossum.html

Photo: Zach Steinhauser

Habitat

Quality deer habitat includes a mixture of trees, shrubs, vines, forbs, grasses and other plants such as fungi and sedges. Certain plants within each of these categories benefit deer more than others. Desirable plants should be well interspersed throughout an area so that the whole area functions as deer habitat. Some water source should be available every mile or so. Enough area with appropriate plants should be available to support a viable population.

Feeding Behavior

White-tailed deer are extremely adaptable in their food habits. Deer consume primarily wild herbs, fruits, and agricultural crops; however, they can survive on the leaves, buds, and twigs of woody trees and shrubs when other foods are scare. When abundant, acorns are the mainstay of the fall and winter diet.

For more information visit: https://www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/species/deer.html

Photo: Zach Steinhauser

Description

As their name implies, black racers are relatively large — to 60 in (152 cm) — fairly slender, solid black snakes. They have smooth scales, large eyes, and often have some white coloration under their chin. The belly is uniformly dark gray or black. Adult racers can be mistaken for any of the other large black snakes present in our region including black rat snakes (which are restricted to the Piedmont and Mountains in our region), black-phase eastern hognose snakes, eastern or black kingsnakes, or dark coachwhips. However, black racers are more slender and uniformly black than those species. Additionally, racers lack the upturned nose of hognose snakes and keeled scales of hognose and rat snakes. When observed from a distance, behavior is often the best way to differentiate a racer from other species. While rat snakes, king snakes, and hognose snakes freeze when approached, racers usually flee rapidly or sometimes stand their ground and attempt to strike.

Habitat

Black racers are only active during the daytime and are most active in warm weather. At night and during cool weather they take refuge in burrows or under covers such as boards or tin. Racers hunt by sight and are often observed actively foraging during the day. They are not active at night. They eat a wide variety of prey including insects, lizards, snakes, birds, rodents, and amphibians. In turn, they are preyed upon by a variety of predatory birds, mammals, and snakes such as kingsnakes and larger racers. When captured, prey is not constricted and are consumed alive. Racers are faster than most other snakes, very agile, and flee when approached, often climbing into small trees or shrubs. If cornered, however, they do not hesitate to bite. Although primarily terrestrial, they climb well and are occasionally observed sleeping in vegetation at night. Racers mate in the spring, and females lay up to 36 eggs in early summer. Eggs hatch in late summer or early fall.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/colcon.htm

Photo: Zach Steinhauser

Description

Adult rat snakes are typically 3-5 ft (91-152 cm), but large individuals may be more than 6 ft (183 cm) long. The appearance of rat snakes varies greatly throughout the geographic range. Black rat snakes are more northern in distribution and are characteristically black on top with a faint hint of white between some of the scales. Yellow rat snakes are greenish, yellow, or orange with four dark stripes running the length of the body. Gray rat snakes are dark to light gray with darker gray or brown blotches. The juveniles of all subspecies resemble the gray rat. The belly is whitish in color near the head and becomes checkered or mottled toward the tail. The body cross section is loaf-shaped and not round. Rat snakes have weakly keeled scales and the anal plate is divided.

Habitat

Adult rat snakes primarily eat mice, rats, squirrels, and birds, as well as bird eggs. They are a common predator on wood duck eggs. Juveniles eat small frogs, lizards, and small rodents. Rat snakes are constrictors, and adept climbers that can scale brick walls as well as tree trunks. When frightened they often assume a “kinked” posture and remain motionless. They will vibrate the tail and expel malodorous musk.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/elaobs.htm

Photo: Zach Steinhauser

Description

Brown snakes are small -– 6-13 in. (17-33 cm) -– snakes that are usually brown, but can be yellowish, reddish, or grayish-brown. They usually have two rows of dark spots, sometimes linked, along the back and a dark streak down the side of the head. The belly is light brown to white. A series of tiny black dots are often present along each side of the belly. The young have a yellowish collar going down the neck with a less evident dorsal pattern. This snake looks similar to earth snakes (Virginia sp.), but those species lack spots on the back and head.

Habitat

Brown snakes hide under covers such as leaf litter and logs, but are sometimes active in the evening or at night, occasionally being seen crossing roads. They feed nearly exclusively on soft-bodied invertebrates such as slugs and earthworms. Brown snakes are viviparous, with females giving birth to 3-31 young in late summer. They probably reach sexual maturity at 2 – 3 years of age.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/stodek.htm

Photo: Zach Steinhauser

Description

Although fairly slender, coachwhips are among the longest snakes in our region, reaching over 8 feet (244 cm). Their coloration is very distinctive, fading gradually from black on the head to tan or nearly white on the tail. The proportion of black to tan varies across our region and individuals in southern Georgia, and Florida can be nearly completely tan. The pattern of scales on the tail resembles a braided whip, giving the snake its common name. Young coachwhips are very slender and completely tan with irregular darker bands and white markings on the head and neck. Coachwhips have large eyes and excellent vision.

Habitat

Coachwhips are only active during the daytime and are most commonly seen in hot weather. In fact, coachwhips are frequently observed during the hottest summer weather when other snakes are inactive. At night and during cool weather coachwhips take refuge in burrows or under covers such as boards or tin. Coachwhips hunt by sight and actively pursue prey, often with their head held high above the ground. They eat a wide variety of prey including insects, amphibians, lizards, snakes, birds, and rodents. In many areas lizards are particularly important prey and coachwhips are even able to chase down race runners and skinks.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/masfla.htm

Photo: Zach Steinhauser

Description – Venomous

Copperheads are fairly large – 24 – 40 in (61 – 102 cm), heavy-bodied snakes with large, triangular heads and elliptical pupils (cat eyes). The body is tan to brown with darker hourglass-shaped crossbands down the length of the body. Individuals from the Coastal Plain often have crossbands that are broken along the center of the back. The head is solid brown, and there are two tiny dots in the center of the top of the head. Juveniles resemble adults but have a bright yellow tail tip. As pit-vipers they have facial pits that sense heat and are used to detect prey and predators. Male copperheads are larger than females. Many harmless species in our region are confused with this species but copperheads are the only species with hourglass-shaped crossbands (all other species have blotches that are circular, square, or are widest down the center of the back).

Habitat

Copperheads can be found during the day or night, but forage primarily after dark during the hotter parts of the season. In the Piedmont and Coastal Plain they are frequently observed crossing roads on warm nights. In the mountains, copperheads are often found by day basking on rock outcrops or coiled in ambush postures. Copperheads are opportunistic feeders and are known to consume a variety of prey, including amphibians, lizards, snakes, small mammals, birds, and insects. Copperheads mate in the spring, at which time males move long distances in search of females. Luckily, copperhead venom is not very potent and deaths from copperhead bites are exceedingly rare. Most snake bites occur when someone tries to kill or harass a snake, so the best way to avoid a bite is to leave any snake you find alone.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/agkcon.htm

Photo: Zach Steinhauser

Description – Venomous

Adult eastern coral snakes are slender, medium-sized — 18-30 in (46-76 cm) — snakes that may reach almost 4 feet (122 cm) in length. They have smooth scales, and the anal plate is usually divided. The most obvious feature of an eastern coral snake is the bright body pattern of red, yellow, and black rings in which the red and yellow rings touch each other. The nose is black. Scarlet kingsnakes (Lampropeltis triangulum elapsoides) and scarlet snakes (Cemophora coccinea) are superficially similar, but the red only touches the black rings. The coral snake is the only eastern species of snake with a pair of fixed fangs in front of the mouth.

Habitat

Coral snakes are rarely seen in most areas where they occur, probably because they are highly secretive and spend most of their time underground. They typically do not climb trees or shrubs and spend only limited time crawling above ground. Most sightings of coral snakes are in the spring and fall. When threatened, coral snakes often elevate and curl the tip of their tail. They are noted for preying primarily on other snakes and lizards, which they kill by injecting with venom. Eastern coral snakes lay an average of six or seven eggs in early summer and the young hatch in late summer or early fall. Perhaps because of their secretive habits, coral snakes often persist suburban areas.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/micful.htm

Photo: J.D. Willson

Description

A fairly large — 76-122 cm (30 – 48 in) — relatively slender snake that is orange, reddish brown, brown, or gray with 27-40 squarish black-margined brown or reddish blotches. The belly is checkered with white and black markings, resembling a piano keyboard or Indian corn. Other distinguishing characteristics include a spear-shaped blotch on top of the head, pointing toward the nose, black stripes on either side of the bottom of the tail, smooth scales, and a stripe extending from the back of the eye past the corner of the jaw. Corn snakes are often mistaken for venomous copperheads. Copperheads, however, have hourglass-shaped (rather than square) blotches, and are generally browner than corn snakes.

Habitat

Corn snakes spend most of their time underground or hidden under objects such as logs, boards, or pieces of roofing tin. They climb well and young ones are often found hiding under tree bark or climbing in brush. Corn snakes are active both day and night, but become primarily nocturnal in the warm summer months. They eat a variety of mammals, birds, and reptiles, and young snakes are particularly fond of lizards. Corn snakes lay large clutches of oval eggs in the spring in rotten logs or other warm, moist places.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/elagut.htm

Photo: Zach Steinhauser

Description – Venomous

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest of the 32 species of rattlesnake currently recognized. They are large, heavy-bodied snakes with large, broad heads with two light lines on the face. Adults are usually 33-72 in (84-183 cm) long, but the largest individual on record was 96 in (244 cm). Mature snakes can tip the scales at over 10 lbs. The background color is brown, tan, or yellowish and covered with the namesake diamonds, which are brown and surrounded by lighter scales. Males are larger than females.

Habitat

Like most large pitvipers eastern diamondbacks spend most of their time coiled in palmetto thickets or other thick vegetation to ambush prey. Most movement between locations occurs during the day and is mostly restricted to the morning and evening in summer. Diamondbacks spend the winter in stump holes or tortoise burrows but may emerge on warm winter days to bask. This species feeds almost exclusively on mammals, particularly rabbits. Mating occurs in the spring and fall, and females give birth to 12 – 24 young in the late summer. Diamondbacks grow slowly, taking several years to reach maturity, and adult females only reproduce every 2-3 years.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/croada.htm

Photo: J.D. Willson

Description

Eastern kingsnakes are large — 36 – 48 in (90-122 cm) — shiny-black, smooth-scaled snakes with white or yellow chain-link bands that cross the back and connect along the sides. Because of this pattern, this species is also referred to as the chain kingsnake. Generally, individuals from the Coastal Plain have wide bands while those from the mountains may have very thin bands or be nearly completely black. Eastern kingsnakes have a short stout head and small beady eyes. They have an undivided anal plate.

Habitat

In our region kingsnakes are active almost exclusively by day but are most active in the morning during the summer. They are strong constrictors and consume a variety of prey including snakes, lizards, rodents, birds, and especially turtle eggs. Kingsnakes are resistant to the venom of pit-vipers, and they readily eat copperheads, cottonmouths, and rattlesnakes. Although they frequently rattle their tail, release musk, and bite upon capture, they tame quickly and are often kept as pets. This species mates in the spring and males bite the neck of females while mating. Females lay 3-24 eggs under debris or in rotting logs in early summer and eggs hatch in August-September.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/lamget.htm

Photo: J.D. Willson

Description

Thamnophis sirtalis is usually 18 – 26 in (45.7 – 66 cm) long, but occasionally reaches lengths up to 49 in (124 cm). Most individuals can be distinguished from other species by the presence of three yellow longitudinal stripes down a dark body. Some, however, exhibit a checkered body pattern with light stripes and a grayish or reddish body color. Additionally, in garter snakes, the lateral yellow lines are on scales 2 and 3 whereas they are on scale rows 3 and 4 in ribbon snakes. On garter snakes, they are on scales 2 and 3. Males have longer and thicker tails than females.

Habitat

Garter snakes may be active by day or night and are often found under boards or other debris. They are viviparous (give birth to live young) and sometimes have more than 50 babies. Common garter snakes feed on worms, slugs, frogs, toads, salamanders, fish and tadpoles. They may be active throughout the year, including warm winter days.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/thasir.htm

Photo: J.D. Willson

Description – Venomous

This small — 14–22 in (38-56 cm) — rattlesnake belongs to the genus Sistrurus and is commonly referred to as a pigmy rattler or ground rattler. Unlike the larger rattlesnakes of the genus Crotalus, this species has nine large scales on top of the head and a tiny rattle that can seldom be heard. There are three subspecies of pigmy rattlesnakes, of which two occur in Georgia (Sistrurus miliarius miliarius – the Carolina pigmy rattler and Sistrurus miliarius barbouri – the dusky pigmy rattler). Both subspecies have a row of mid-dorsal spots and a bar than runs from the eye to the base of the mouth, but the color of this bar can vary from black to brownish red. An orange or reddish brown dorsal stripe is also present on both subspecies. In young snakes, the tip of the tail is sulfur yellow and is used for caudal luring. The Carolina pigmy rattler can be gray, tan, or lavender.

Habitat

Pigmy rattlesnakes spend most of their time well-hidden among leaf litter and can be very hard to spot. From such hiding places, they ambush a variety of prey including lizards, frogs, small mammals, and insects as well as centipedes. These snakes are most often encountered crossing roads on summer evenings. Females give birth to live young in the late summer or fall.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/sismil.htm

Photo: Zach Steinhauser

Description

The redbellied snake is a small woodland snake, ranging from 4 – 10 in (10 – 25 cm) long. This species is one of our most variably-colored snakes, with some individuals ranging from bright orange to brown, gray, or nearly black. Occasionally individuals are found that are gray with a brown or orange stripe down the center of the back. Many individuals have a light brown ring behind the head. This species can easily be distinguished from all other small woodland snakes by their unmarked, bright orange to the red underside.

Habitat

Redbellied snakes are generally very secretive and can be found hiding under logs, rocks, and leaf piles. They feed nearly exclusively on slugs. Redbellied snakes breed in the spring or fall, and females give birth to 4 – 9 (but up to 23) young, in summer. They probably reach sexual maturity within 3 years. Research at the Savannah River Ecology Lab has shown that this species tracks the changing boundaries of wetlands as they fill and dry, probably following areas where the most slugs are found. When threatened this species rarely bites but adopts a bizarre lip-curling behavior.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/stoocc.htm

Photo: J.D. Willson

Description

Ribbon snakes are slender snakes that range from 16-28 in. (41-71 cm) long. They have three light, usually yellow, stripes (two along the sides and one down the center of the back) against a dark background. Between the yellow lateral stripes and the belly, there is a brown lateral stripe. Ribbon snakes resemble the closely-related eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), however, ribbon snakes are more slender, have unpatterned lip scales, and the lateral stripes are found on scale rows 3 and 4 (in garter snakes they are on rows 2 and 3).

Habitat

Ribbon snakes eat small fish and amphibians and often swim in the water near the shoreline. After reproduction, the male inserts a copulatory plug to prevent other males from mating with that particular female. Ribbon snakes are viviparous, with females giving birth to live young in the late summer.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/thasau.htm

Photo: Zach Steinhauser

Description

Ringneck snakes are small — 10 – 15 in (25 – 38 cm) — slender snakes that are generally grayish with a yellow or orange band around the back of the neck and a yellow or orange underside. Two subspecies are found in our region. The northern ringneck snake (Diadophis punctatus edwardsi) inhabits the mountains and generally has a complete neck ring and unpatterned underside. The southern ringneck (D. p. punctatus) is found in the Coastal Plain and often has a broken neck ring and underside that is marked with a single row or black spots. The northern ringneck is also generally larger than the southern. Although usually grayish in coloration, both subspecies may range from nearly black to tan and both have smooth scales and round pupils. Females are larger and have proportionally shorter tails than males.

Habitat

Like other small woodland snakes in the Southeast, ringneck snakes spend most of their time underground or hidden under logs, rocks, leaf litter, or debris. However, ringnecks can occasionally be found crawling in the open or crossing roads, often at night. Ringnecks are one of the more common species in many habitats in the Southeast and in other parts of their range can reach extraordinary densities.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/diapun.htm

Photo: J.D. Willson

Description

Rough Green Snakes are fairly long – to 32 in (81 cm) – slender, bright green snakes with yellow or whitish bellies that spend much of their time climbing in vegetation. Their bright green color easily distinguishes them from all other snakes in Georgia and South Carolina, but the similar Smooth Green Snake replaces this species in the Appalachian Mountains and the Northeast. Rough Green Snakes have keeled scales and large eyes. After death the color of green snakes fades to blue or black and dead individuals may resemble small black racers. Young Green Snakes resemble adults.

Habitat

Rough Green Snakes are probably the most arboreal snakes in our region and spend the majority of their time hunting for insects, spiders, and other invertebrates in vegetation well above the ground. When encountered, green snakes often freeze, relying on their green coloration for camouflage. At night, Green Snakes can often be found sleeping coiled in shrubs, vine tangles, or thick vegetation. During cool weather Green Snakes often take refuge on the ground and can sometimes be found hiding beneath logs, rocks, or debris. They mate in the spring and females lay 3 – 12 eggs in the early summer.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/ophaes.htm

Photo: J.D. Willson

Description

Scarlet snakes are fairly small — to 20 in (51 cm) — relatively slender snakes that are patterned with alternating red, black, and white or yellow bands. Scarlet snakes are one of the three “tricolored” snakes in our region and, like the harmless scarlet kingsnake, have red bands that do not touch yellow bands. However, this species can be distinguished from the scarlet kingsnake because the kingsnake’s bands completely or nearly completely encircle the body while the bands of the scarlet snake do not extend onto the venter, leaving the underside solid white, pink, or grayish. The venomous eastern coral snake has a black snout and red bands that touch yellow ones. Scarlet snakes have a snout that is pointed and red and red bands that are wider than bands of other colors. Young resemble adults.

Habitat

Like many of the small fossorial snakes in our region, scarlet snakes spend most of their lives underground and are most frequently encountered hiding beneath logs, rocks, leaf-litter, or debris such as boards, tin, or trash. Scarlet snakes are never active above ground during the day: however, at night scarlet snakes do move above ground and are often encountered crossing rural roads on hot summer nights. Scarlet snakes feed primarily on eggs of other reptiles and have enlarged teeth that they use to open eggs that are too large to swallow whole. They also occasionally consume small lizards, snakes, and frogs. Little is known about the reproductive biology of this species, but females are known to lay 2 – 9 eggs in the early summer.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/cemcoc.htm

Photo: Zach Steinhauser

Description – Venomous

Timber rattlesnakes, which are called canebrake rattlesnake in the Coastal Plain of the Southeast, are large, heavy-bodied snakes with the characteristic rattles on the end of the tail. Adults range from 30-60 in (76-152 cm) with the record being more than 6 feet (183 cm) long. Canebrakes are usually gray and may even have a pink hue and a pinkish, yellow, orange, or brown stripe running the length of the back. Timber Rattlers are typically more brown or yellowish and may even be black. Both forms have solid black tails that appear almost velvet and black chevrons on the back and sides with the point of the (V) pointing forward. The babies are miniatures of the adults but are usually a lighter gray and have only a single button (rattle) on the tip of the tail at birth. Males get larger than females.

Habitat

Timber and canebrake rattlesnakes become active above ground by late spring and can be seen periodically until the onset of cold weather in late fall. Canebrakes are active during both day and night but spend the majority of their time coiled in ambush positions ready to capture prey.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/crohor.htm

Photo: Zach Steinhauser

Description – Venomous

Cottonmouths are venomous semi-aquatic snakes often referred to as “water moccasins.” They have large, triangular heads with a dark line through the eye, elliptical pupils, and large jowls due to the venom glands. They are large – typically 24 – 48 in (61 – 122 cm), occasionally larger, keeled-scaled, heavy-bodied snakes. Their coloration is highly variable: they can be beautifully marked with dark crossbands on a brown and yellow ground color or completely brown or black. Older adults are often dark and solid-colored whereas the juveniles are brightly patterned with a sulphur yellow tail tip that they wiggle to attract prey. The belly typically has dark and brownish-yellow blotches with the underside of the tail being black. As pit-vipers, they have facial pits that sense heat and are used to detect prey and predators. Male cottonmouths are larger than females.

Habitat

Cottonmouths can be found during the day or night, but forage primarily after dark during the hotter parts of the season. Throughout much of their range, they can be found year-round, even in sunny days in the winter. Cottonmouths bask on logs, rocks, or branches at the water’s edge but seldom climb high in trees (unlike many of the nonvenomous watersnakes which commonly bask on branches several feet above the water). They employ both ambush and active foraging strategies. Cottonmouths are opportunistic feeders and are known to consume a variety of aquatic and terrestrial prey, including amphibians, lizards, snakes (including smaller cottonmouths), small turtles, baby alligators, mammals, birds, and especially fish. Cottonmouths mate in the early summer at which time male-to-male combat occurs in competition for females.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/agkpis.htm

Photo: J.D. Willson

Description

Broadhead skinks are the largest skink in the southeast, and with the exception of the glass lizards, are the largest lizards in our region. These large lizards have short legs and a streamlined body. The body is gray, brown, or black, in background color with five white or yellowish stripes (two on each side and one down the center of the back). However, adults often fade to uniform gray or brown, and mature males develop enlarged orange heads with powerful jaws. Like other skinks, the young have bright blue tails and prominent stripes.

Habitat

Although they may be found both on the ground and in trees, broadhead skinks, particularly large males, are more arboreal (tree-dwelling) than any of the other southeastern skinks. Adults are often seen high up in trees, sunning on exposed branches, while young are common on fallen trees and under bark or other debris. When pursued, broadhead skinks run for the nearest tree or log and can be quite difficult to capture. Like many other lizards, broadhead skinks will break off their tails when restrained, distracting the predator and allowing the lizard to escape.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/lizards/eumlat.htm

Photo: J.D. Willson

Description

As a member of the spiny lizard family, the Fence lizard is the only lizard native to Georgia and South Carolina that has rough scales. Fence lizards are most commonly grayish in color, but may range from nearly black to brown. Females often have black horizontal patterning on their back, while during the breeding season, males have bright blue patches on their chin and underside.

Habitat

Although sometimes found on the ground, fence lizards are one of our most arboreal (tree-dwelling) lizards and usually dash for the nearest tree when approached. When pursued, the fence lizard will stay on the opposite side of the tree from the predator, in the same fashion as a squirrel.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/lizards/sceund.htm

Photo: Zach Steinhauser

Description

Glass lizards are long, slender, legless lizards that superficially resemble snakes. They differ from snakes, though, in that they have moveable eyelids, external ear openings, and inflexible jaws. The eastern glass lizard is the longest and heaviest glass lizard in our region and is light brown or yellowish to greenish in coloration. This species is best distinguished from other glass lizards by the absence of a dark dorsal stripe or dark markings below the lateral groove and the presence of several vertical whitish bars just behind the head. Older individuals are less boldly patterned than younger individuals, often developing a greenish or speckled coloration.

Habitat

Glass lizards forage actively by day in open habitats but are commonly found taking refuge beneath boards and other debris. When seized, glass lizards commonly break off all or part of their tail (which makes up more than half of their total length) and will later regrow. With the predator distracted by the wriggling tail, the lizard is free to escape.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/lizards/ophven.htm

Photo: J.D. Willson

Description

Five-lined skinks are moderately large lizards with short legs and a streamlined body. The body is gray, brown, or black, in background color with five white or yellowish stripes (two on each side and one down the center of the back). Young have a bright blue tail while adult males often loose their stripes and develop reddish or orange coloration on the head.

Habitat

Five-lined skinks may be found on the ground or in trees, but are less arboreal (tree dwelling) than broadhead skinks. Although sometimes seen in the open, these lizards are most often found beneath logs or under tree bark. When pursued, five-lined skinks run for the nearest tree or log and can be quite difficult to capture. Like many other lizards, five-lined skinks will break off their tails when restrained, distracting the predator and allowing the lizard to escape.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/lizards/eumfas.htm

Photo: J.D. Willson

Description

May be either green or brown depending on environmental conditions. When brown, may have faint markings on the back. Males have a pinkish throat fan that is displayed in territorial rivalries or when approaching a potential mate. The green anole is most easily distinguished form the similar brown anole (Anolis sagrei) by green or lightly patterned brown coloration, pinkish throat fan, and by range.

Habitat

Anoles are active by day in warm weather and often bask in vegetation, occasionally charging away from a basking spot to grab and inset or chase off a rival anole. During cool weather, anoles are often found hiding under tree bark, shingles, or in rotten logs. Sometimes many anoles can be found taking refuge in one spot.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/lizards/anocar.htm

Photo: J.D. Willson

Description

Ground skinks are small, slender lizards with long tails and short legs. They range from golden brown to almost black in coloration but are most often coppery brown with a darker stripe running along each side of the body. The belly is white or yellowish.

Habitat

Unlike many other lizards in our region, ground skinks virtually never climb. Rather than running on their tiny legs, ground skinks use their slender bodies to wriggle or “swim” through leaf litter or loose soil, often disappearing in a flash as soon as they are discovered. Like other lizards, ground skinks will break off their tail to confuse a potential predator.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/lizards/scilat.htm

Photo: J.D. Willson

Description

Although the six-lined racerunner is the only lizard in our area with six light yellow or white stripes down its back, the racerunner’s ground-dwelling habits and impressive speed are often sufficient to identify this species from a distance.

Habitat

Racerunners are fond of heat and are active even on the hottest of summer days. They are alert and active, darting between clumps of vegetation to grab insects. During cool weather, night, or when confronted by a predator, racerunners often take refuge in burrows.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/lizards/cnesex.htm

Photo: J.D. Willson

Description

Southeastern five-lined skinks are moderately large lizards with short legs and a streamlined body. The body is gray, brown, or black, in background color with five white or yellowish stripes (two on each side and one down the center of the back). Young have a bright blue tail while adult males’ stripes may fade, and a reddish, or orange coloration may develop on the head. This species is very similar in appearance to the five-lined skink and broadhead skink and is usually only identifiable by close examination of the scales: unlike the other two species, southeastern five-lined skinks do not have an enlarged row of scales under the tail.

Habitat

Southeastern five-lined skinks may be found on the ground or in trees, but are less arboreal (tree dwelling) than broadhead skinks. Although sometimes seen in the open, these lizards are most often found beneath logs or under tree bark. When pursued, these lizards run for the nearest tree or log and can be quite difficult to capture. Like many other lizards, southeastern five-lined skinks will break off their tails when restrained, distracting the predator and allowing the lizard to escape.

For more information visit: https://srelherp.uga.edu/lizards/eumine.htm