What should a visitor do on seeing a snake?

Step back, give it space, and let it pass. A snake left alone avoids people and moves on.

How do most snake bites happen?

Most wild bites happen when a person harasses, kills, or handles the snake. Wear closed shoes and never place hands or feet where you cannot see them.

Why not kill or remove a snake?

Snakes control rodent and insect populations. Many snakes die from mistaken identity, because harmless species look venomous. Do not try to remove a snake.

Snakes

Understand snakes near the beach

South Carolina has 38 snake species, and only six are venomous. All snakes are nonaggressive when left alone.

Sources checked August 24, 2026: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources common snakes guide (opens in a new tab) and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources snake safety news release (opens in a new tab) and Savannah River Ecology Laboratory snake safety guide (opens in a new tab) and Savannah River Ecology Laboratory snakes of South Carolina and Georgia guide (opens in a new tab) and Clemson Home and Garden Information Center living with snakes guide (opens in a new tab) .

Four choices

Give the snake space

Step back, keep a safe distance, and let the snake pass.

Never harass, handle, or kill a snake

Leave the snake alone. Most wild snake bites happen when someone harasses, kills, or handles a snake.

Watch where you step and reach

Wear closed shoes. Never place your hands or feet where you cannot see them.

Let the snake move on

Back away and let the snake move on rather than trying to remove it.

What this page covers

This guidance comes from statewide wildlife agency and university pages.

This record reports no Surfside Beach sighting, local frequency claim, local species claim, season claim, bite count, identification promise, species diagnosis, removal promise, treatment step, legal penalty, or phone number.

Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources common snakes guide (opens in a new tab) · Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources snake safety news release (opens in a new tab) · Source: Savannah River Ecology Laboratory snake safety guide (opens in a new tab) · Source: Savannah River Ecology Laboratory snakes of South Carolina and Georgia guide (opens in a new tab) · Source: Clemson Home and Garden Information Center living with snakes guide (opens in a new tab)

Snake questions

Are snakes in South Carolina dangerous?: South Carolina has 38 snake species, and only six are venomous. All snakes are nonaggressive when left alone.; Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources common snakes guide (opens in a new tab)
What should a visitor do on seeing a snake?: Step back, give it space, and let it pass. A snake left alone avoids people and moves on.; Sources: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources snake safety news release (opens in a new tab), Savannah River Ecology Laboratory snake safety guide (opens in a new tab)
How do most snake bites happen?: Most wild bites happen when a person harasses, kills, or handles the snake. Wear closed shoes and never place hands or feet where you cannot see them.; Source: Savannah River Ecology Laboratory snake safety guide (opens in a new tab)
Why not kill or remove a snake?: Snakes control rodent and insect populations. Many snakes die from mistaken identity, because harmless species look venomous. Do not try to remove a snake.; Sources: Savannah River Ecology Laboratory snake safety guide (opens in a new tab), Clemson Home and Garden Information Center living with snakes guide (opens in a new tab)