Georgia has a wide range of ecosystems. It has both forests and marshes, as well as mountains and beaches. For this reason, 43 different snake species have made Georgia their home. Black snakes are also pretty common in Georgia, and if you’ve seen one and want to know what species it is, this is the article for you. We’ll tell you about some of the black snakes you can find in the state, and where to watch out for them!
10 Black snakes in Georgia
1. Eastern indigo snake
- Scientific Name: Drymarchon couperi
- Length: 60 – 84 inches
- Venomous: No
The Eastern Indigo snake is a species of non-venomous snake found in Georgia. If you live in the state, you’ll recognize this snake by its shiny and dark bluish-black color, stocky build, and length that can reach 84 inches. In fact, this snake is known as the longest native snake in the United States.
These snakes are found in southern Georgia and can be seen during the day, when they’re most active. They’re also active during the winter months and are one of the snakes that bite very rarely.
2. Cottonmouth
- Scientific Name: Agkistrodon piscivorus
- Length: 24 to 48 inches
- Venomous: Yes
Cottonmouths, also known as water moccasins, are among the black venomous snakes you can find in Georgia. Their habitats are near freshwaters, so you can find them in the coastal plain and Piedmont regions of Georgia.
These heavy-bodied snakes can reach a maximum length of 48 inches and come in a variety of colors. They may be solid brown, black, or yellow, with dark bands covering their entire back.
These snakes are one of the animals that can be seen all year round, including in the winter. Moreover, they’re opportunistic eaters that’ll consume both aquatic and terrestrial small animals.
3. Eastern Kingsnake
- Scientific Name: Lampropeltis getula
- Length: 36 to 48 inches
- Venomous: No
The eastern kingsnake is a large, non-venomous reptile that can be found throughout Georgia. While these species are mostly terrestrial, they prefer to live near bodies of water such as swamps and streams. These snakes are mostly black, but some have yellow or white bands across their bodies, which is why they’re also known as chain kingsnakes.
Kingsnakes are constrictors that are immune to the venom of pit vipers, such as copperheads and rattlesnakes, which is why they eat these snakes. These large-bodied reptiles are also kept as pets.
4. Banded water snake
- Scientific Name: Nerodia fasciata
- Length: 24 to 48 inches
- Venomous: No
Since they’re abundant along the US Coastal Plain, banded water snakes are among the most common snakes in Georgia. These reptiles can be found in nearly every freshwater habitat in Georgia, including lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, and swamps.
Banded water snakes range in color from light brown to black, with large dark bands running lengthwise down their bodies. They can reach a length of 48 inches and have a heavy, stocky build.
This water snake feeds on frogs and fish found in their aquatic habitats. Banded water snakes are also active all day and night, but they’re not venomous, so don’t be alarmed if you come across one.
5. Pygmy rattlesnake
- Scientific Name: Sistrurus miliarius
- Length: 14–22 inches
- Venomous: Yes
A small, venomous snake called a pygmy rattlesnake lives in the northeastern, northwest, and central parts of Georgia. They’re most at home in wet environments like swamps and marshes, but you can also find them in drier environments like sandhills and pine forests.
Although adults are only 22 inches in length, you shouldn’t take them lightly because of their venomous bites (which, fortunately, don’t kill humans). As burrowing animals, they don’t create their own tunnels.
These rattlesnakes make use of the burrows dug by other animals, most commonly by rodents. Two of the subspecies exist in Georgia: the Carolina pigmy rattler, which is gray, tan, or lavender in color, and the dusky pigmy rattler, which is bluish-gray to nearly black.
6. Pine snake
- Scientific Name: Pituophis melanoleucus
- Length: 48 to 66 inches
- Venomous: No
Pine snakes are species of snakes found in the Coastal Plains of Georgia. Their bodies are typically white, yellow, or light gray, with dark blotches on their backs. If you live in the state, you’ll likely see them most often in arid environments like sand hills and pine forests, though some are also found in abandoned fields.
These creatures live in burrows and spend the majority of their time underground. Additionally, they hunt rodents and other small mammals for food, and they constantly go into the burrows of these animals.
7. Eastern ribbon snake
- Scientific Name: Thamnophis sauritus
- Length: 16 to 28 inches
- Venomous: No
The Eastern ribbon snake is a slender brownish-black snake with three yellow stripes that run along its back and sides. If you’ve seen a garter snake, you might mistake this one for it because of the similarity in color pattern.
However, ribbon snakes are more slender than garters. This species is widespread across Georgia, but the Piedmont and Coastal Plain are where you’re most likely to encounter them. These creatures aren’t venomous, and their diet consists primarily of amphibians and fish of a smaller size.
8. Black swamp snake
- Scientific Name: Seminatrix pygaea
- Length: 22 to 55 inches
- Venomous: No
The black swamp snake is one of the black snakes found in the southeastern United States coastal plains. You can also find these aquatic animals in South Georgia, where they live in swamps, marshes, and other vegetated aquatic habitats.
Black swamp snakes hunt frogs and other small animals like fish by hiding and ambushing them when the prey approaches. They’re distinguished by their black upper bodies and bright red bellies. Their scales are smooth and shiny like plastic, giving them a waxy appearance when wet.
9. Eastern hognose snake
- Scientific Name: Heterodon platirhinos
- Length: 40 to 54 inches
- Venomous: No
If you see a black snake in Georgia, it may be an Eastern hognose snake. The name of this species of reptile comes from the fact that they have snouts that are slightly upturned and pointed.
These snakes come in a wide range of colors, with some being black, yellow, green, or gray, but the majority have dark-colored patterns on their backs. They can also be found throughout Georgia in habitats such as woodlands, farmlands, and coastal areas. They primarily consume amphibians and are known to be immune to toad poison.
10. Timber Rattlesnake
- Scientific Name: Crotalus horridus
- Length: 30 to 60 inches
- Venomous: Yes
The Timber Rattlesnakes are one of the venomous snakes that live in the eastern United States, including Georgia. These vipers can reach a maximum length of 60 inches and are also known as the American viper. These snakes can range in color from brown to yellow to black, and all have distinctive black tails and banding patterns on their backs.
Since they hibernate during the winter, this species is only visible from spring until just before the cold season begins. They can be found in places like hardwood and pine forests, mountainous areas, and even in cities.
