Snakes (Order Squamata; Suborder Serpentes)

Following are the species accounts for the three families and 57 species of snakes that occur in the Southeast. Taxonomy in this section follows that of Collins (1990).

Species accounts are grouped into two main categories: Nonvenomous and Venomous snakes. Within each group, the snakes are arranged alphabetically by genus and finally by species. The families included are:

• Nonvenomous Snakes (Family Colubridae)
• Coral Snakes (Family Elapidae)
• Pit Vipers (Family Viperidae, Subfamily Crotalinae)

Management Suggestions

Many species of snakes are declining in numbers due to loss of suitable habitat and death by automobiles. In addition, many snakes are intentionally killed by humans due to a general fear of snakes, or fear that a snake might be venomous. It should be noted that several species, such as the brown snake and the common garter snake, have apparently adapted to urbanization and significant populations coexist within suburban and even urban habitats. Most snakes require shelter in the form of friable soil, logs, dead trees, rocks, or similar surface debris. Additionally, snakes often require open canopied areas or forest patches in which to thermoregulate. Management plans should consider leaving some surface debris and avoid large scale stump removals. Some of the larger species of snakes have fairly large home ranges and therefore, fragmentation of existing habitats poses a significant threat.