North Carolina snakes: Tips to avoid venomous encounters & treat bites
These stories provide essential information on how to avoid encounters with copperheads, North Carolina’s most abundant venomous snake -- including understanding their habitats and recognizing their appearance. We’ll debunk some common myths about venomous snakes and provide advice on what to do if you are bitten.
Additionally, we’ll explore where snakes go during the cold season and how their behavior changes.
Copperhead season with NC’s most common venomous snake
It’s important to be aware of North Carolina’s most common venomous snake: the copperhead. While their bites are rarely fatal, they can be painful and expensive to treat. This article provides tips on how to avoid encounters with copperheads, including understanding their habitats and recognizing their appearance. Additionally, it debunks some common myths about venomous snakes and provides advice on what to do if you are bitten.
— Story by N&O reporters Brooke Cain and Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska
Where do copperhead snakes go when the weather turns cold in NC?
As the weather cools down, it’s natural to wonder if snakes are also seeking shelter. In North Carolina, copperheads are the venomous snakes most commonly encountered. But what happens to them as temperatures drop? In this article, you’ll discover where snakes go during the cold season, how their behavior changes, and what to do if you come across one. Stay informed and prepared with these essential tips on snake encounters in North Carolina.
— Story by N&O reporter Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska
When is ‘baby copperhead season’ in NC? Everything to know about the juvenile snakes
In this article, discover when baby copperheads are born, how to distinguish them from adults and whether their bites are more dangerous. Additionally, learn about copperhead habitats and how to avoid the state’s most abundant venomous snake, and what to do if you encounter one.
— Story by N&O reporter Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska
Is that a copperhead? Probably not. It’s more likely one of these non-venomous NC snakes
Identifying snakes can be tricky, and mistaking a non-venomous snake for a venomous one is common. In North Carolina, homeowners often mistake the brown (or dekay) snake for the venomous copperhead. The News & Observer spoke with Talena Chavis, owner of NC Snake Catcher, to learn more about these beneficial snakes and how to tell them apart from copperheads. The article also provides tips on avoiding conflicts with snakes and what to do if you encounter one in your yard or home.
— Story by N&O reporter Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska
If you’ve been bitten by a copperhead, you may need antivenom. How much does that cost in NC?
Copperheads, a venomous pit viper found in North Carolina, are responsible for most of the snake bites in the area. While treating these bites can be expensive, it is important to seek care immediately. Insurance providers typically cover copperhead snake bite care and antivenom treatment, but patients’ out-of-pocket costs depend on several factors. Emergency medical professionals and billing experts at Triangle hospitals explain how much snakebite treatment costs and what patients can expect if they require antivenom as part of their treatment.
— Story by N&O reporter Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska
Here’s what to do if a copperhead bites you and you don’t have cell service
Hiking trails in North Carolina are a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. But with remote areas often comes a lack of cell service, which can be dangerous if hikers encounter a venomous snake. The News & Observer provides tips from Dr. Michael C. Beuhler, medical director of North Carolina Poison Control, on how to avoid snake bites and what to do if bitten without access to medical help.
— Story by N&O reporter Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska
Dogs are commonly bitten by copperhead snakes in NC. Here’s how to protect them
In North Carolina, copperhead snakes are the most common venomous snake and often come into contact with dogs. This article provides helpful tips on how to prevent snakebites, symptoms to look out for if your dog is bitten, and what steps to take in case of a snakebite incident.
— Story by N&O reporter Brooke Cain
Why do copperhead snakes like coming onto our front steps and porches? Plus, how to keep them away
Copperheads, the most common venomous snake in North Carolina, sometimes end up on our front porches. In this article, wildlife biologist Falyn Owens explains why copperheads are attracted to certain areas and what to do if you encounter one. The article also provides tips on how to keep copperheads away from your home and what to do if you or a pet gets bitten by a snake.
— Story by N&O reporter Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska
There are 3 types of rattlesnakes found in NC. How to identify them
Learn about the different types of rattlesnakes found in North Carolina: How to identify these snakes, how to avoid them, and what to do if you or your pet are bitten. Find out which areas of the state are more likely to have rattlesnake sightings and why it’s important to be cautious when encountering these creatures in the wild.
— Story by N&O reporter Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska
How to identify cottonmouth (water moccasin) snakes in North Carolina
Learn how to identify and avoid cottonmouth snakes, one of the six venomous snake species found in North Carolina. While primarily located in the eastern part of the state, they have been spotted in Johnston County and easternmost parts of Wake County. This article provides characteristics to help differentiate between cottonmouths and nonvenomous watersnakes, as well as tips on how to avoid a bite and what to do if bitten.
— Story by N&O reporter Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska
This page is a collection of stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. The collection was formed using an AI tool for summarization and edited by journalists in the newsroom. Read more on our AI policy here.
