Snakes and spiders in Charleston County, South Carolina

Yes. The northern cottonmouth: 46 licensed records, 25% of all South Carolina records of it. The eastern copperhead: 29 licensed records, 16% of all South Carolina records of it. The timber rattlesnake: 15 licensed records, 23% of all South Carolina records of it. The eastern coral snake: 10 licensed records, 38% of all South Carolina records of it. The pygmy rattlesnake: 10 licensed records, 50% of all South Carolina records of it. The brown widow: 3 licensed records, 21% of all South Carolina records of it. The southern black widow: 2 licensed records, 8% of all South Carolina records of it.

In all, 26 snake species are on the Charleston County list. The most recorded are the crayfish snake (115), the northern cottonmouth (46) and the ring-necked snake (44). Charleston County holds more than half of all South Carolina records of the crayfish snake and the pygmy rattlesnake.

Observation records of snakes in Charleston County run mostly March through November, peaking in April with 21% of them, the same peak as South Carolina as a whole.

In all, 36 spider species are on the Charleston County list. The most recorded are the American golden orb weaver (46), the spiny-backed orbweaver (30) and Leucauge argyrobapta (26). Charleston County holds more than half of all South Carolina records of the ogre-faced spider, the regal jumper, the giant lichen orbweaver and the humpbacked orbweaver.

Observation records of spiders in Charleston County run mostly March through November, peaking in June with 24% of them; across South Carolina the peak is July.

Species for which Charleston County holds a large share of all South Carolina records: the crayfish snake, 90% (115 of 128); the pygmy rattlesnake, 50% (10 of 20); Leucauge argyrobapta, 49% (26 of 53); the eastern coral snake, 38% (10 of 26); the eastern ribbonsnake, 37% (34 of 93); the scarlet kingsnake, 36% (15 of 42); the spiny-backed orbweaver, 34% (30 of 89); the southeastern crown snake, 33% (16 of 48).

Among the snakes most recorded across South Carolina, these do not reach the county list: the brown water snake (266 statewide). Few records here can mean the species is rare in the county, or that few people have looked.

Among the spiders most recorded across South Carolina, these do not reach the county list: the Joro spider (173 statewide), the marbled orbweaver (47 statewide) and the orchard orbweaver (45 statewide). Few records here can mean the species is rare in the county, or that few people have looked.

Copperheads are on the county list, and so are harmless species often taken for them: the corn snake, the eastern hog-nosed snake, the eastern rat snake and the plain-bellied watersnake. Cottonmouths are on the county list, and so are harmless species often taken for them: the southern watersnake, the mud snake and the plain-bellied watersnake. Rattlesnakes are on the county list, and so are harmless species often taken for them: the eastern hog-nosed snake. Coral snakes are on the county list, and so are harmless species often taken for them: the scarlet kingsnake and the scarlet snake. Recluse spiders are not on the South Carolina list, but GBIF holds 2 recluse spider records of any license in South Carolina (brown recluse 2): treat any spider like this as venomous until identified. Harmless species often taken for them here: the southern house spider.

By licensed snake records Charleston County ranks 1st of 46 South Carolina counties with any.

Other South Carolina counties with their own page: Berkeley County.

The whole state: venomous species in South Carolina, all snakes, all spiders.