Northern Water Snake

The Northern Water Snake is a common resident of most permanent bodies of water in this area. They are often seen basking around the water on warm days. They feed on fish, frogs and toads. They are often confused for the venomous Cottonmouth or Water Moccasin which is found far from this region. Cottonmouths are restricted to the coastal plain in NC. They can be aggressive and will often bite when handled.

Queen Snake

This is semi-aquatic snake related to Water Snakes that are usually found in fast moving streams. They feed almost only on newly shed crayfish. Many of the streams in Surry Co. support a population of Queen Snakes including Lovills Creek behind Mt Airy High School.

Hognose Snake

The Hognose Snake is characterized by their upturned snout which is used to dig up their favorite prey...toads. This snake is not very common in Surry Co. Range maps show it occurring throughout the county but they have actually only been documented in the southern and eastern parts of the Surry Co.
This snake is well known for its ability to play dead when threatened as these three individuals did when uncovered under a piece of tin. If flipped upright they will promptly flip over again. They will also flatten their necks and strike to ward off a threat. However, they will not bite.

Black Racer

The Black Racer is a fast moving, alert ant warmth loving snake. It is one of the most common snakes on the coastal plain and southern piedmont but it is not as abundant in this area. Sometimes they are confused with the Black Ratsnake. See the Black Ratsnakes description below for differences. Black Racers feed mainly on lizards snakes and sometimes rodents. When handled they are much more prone to bite than the Black Ratsnake.

Young racers will be patterned and develop the overall black coloration as they age.

Below is a juvenile found in Surry Co.

Eastern Milk Snake

Milk Snakes are a species of kingsnake. This species is not a commonly encountered species in this region. They are only found in the mountains and foothills of this area. They are a secretive species usually found under debri where they hunt prey items such as mice and lizards. They occassionally are found in the Raven Knob area. Like most all kingsnakes they are docile.

Scarlet King Snake

The Scarlet King Snake is a very rarely encountered snake in this region. They are more common in the pine woods of the coastal plain. The only population in the upper piedmont on NC is one that lies in Hanging Rock State Park. This park seems to be the isolated home to a few reptiles that are more likely to be found on the coastal plain than the piedmont, which probably says something about the geologic history of this region. This species is very secretive and perfers rather dry places where it hunts its main food source, lizards.

Mole King Snake

The Mole King is a rarely seen snake in this region. They are secretive and are rarely found about and they only occur in the southern edge of Surry Co. Like other kingsnakes they feed on snakes, lizards and rodents. They are very docile and rarely bite. I have only found this species around some abandoned buildings and trash piles around the Surry Co lanfill.