Non-venomous water snakes belong to the Nerodia genus of snakes. These snakes live in freshwater aquatic environments such as ephemeral ponds, lakes, swamps, bogs and marshes. Unlike venomous aquatic snakes, non-venomous water snakes swim with their bodies submerged in the water; venomous snakes swim on the water's surface. Northern, brown, redbelly and banded water snakes round out the list of North Carolina's Nerodia water snakes. Some of North Carolina's water snakes resemble venomous snakes; for instance, the northern and brown water snakes have brown scales with black splotches, similar to the cottonmouth -- a venomous snake native to the Tarheel State.
King snakes are nonvenomous snakes in the Lampropeltis genus and, in North Carolina, include the eastern king snake, scarlet king snake and mole king snake. These snakes are known for eating other snakes, including venomous species and other king snakes. One of North Carolina's king snakes, the scarlet king snake's (also known as the milk snake) skin color patterns resemble the venomous eastern coral snake's patterns. However, the scarlet king snake has a red-black-yellow coloration, while coral snakes feature a red-yellow-black pattern.
Belonging to the Masticophis genus, whip snakes are snakes with whiplike tails and long, slender bodies. The only North Carolina whip snake is the coachwhip. In the Tarheel State, the coachwhip lives in the state's coastal plains and Atlantic coast regions. When hunting, coachwhips hold their head high above the ground since they primarily use the sense of sight when searching for prey. Coachwhips grow up to 8 feet as adults.
Garter snakes are in the Thamnophis genus of reptiles and one of the most common species of snakes in North Carolina. These nonvenomous snakes appear in urban neighborhoods and garden areas. Two Thamnophis species live in North Carolina, the eastern garter snake and eastern ribbon snake. When disturbed or threatened, garter snakes emit a foul odor from glands near their anus. Both the eastern garter and eastern ribbon have dark skin with bright white or yellow strips on their dorsal area.
As their names suggest, hognose snakes have upturned snouts, which have a similar appearance to pigs. North Carolina's two hognose species are the eastern hognose snake and southern hognose snake. Eastern hognose snakes live throughout the state, while southern hognoses primarily dwell in state's coastal plains. Toads are the main food item for hognose snakes; these snakes have teeth in the rear of their mouth to help break up their food. Hognose snakes are in the Heterodon genus of snakes.