Snake holes in North Carolina could be a sign of danger. Of the 37 species of snakes in North Carolina, 6 are poisonous snakes. But, even if a snake is non-venomous, its bite is still painful.
Since there are many different snake species in North Carolina, you could find snake holes in your yard. Although most snakes live in the wild near forests, lakes and rivers, many dig holes in backyards.
If you see a round hole in your yard, it might be a snake hole. Snake holes are a common signal of snake activity in your backyard. Snakes don’t dig holes. They occupy burrows of mice, prairie dogs, and small rodents.
As a North Carolina homeowner, you should know if you are dealing with a venomous snake hole or the burrow of some harmless creature.
A professional wildlife inspection is the safest way to determine if a hole on your North Carolina property is from snakes or if another type of animal created it.
Can North Carolina snakes dig holes?
North Carolina snakes can’t dig holes. But snakes often move into holes other animals dig. You can find snakes in holes, chipmunks, or mice made.
If your house is in a sandy area, there may be a hole a snake dug, but it’s unlikely. Instead of digging holes, snakes can bury themselves in loose sand.
Related post: How to Deal with Snake Holes in Yard?
What do snake holes look like in North Carolina?
Snake holes are circular. The opening of a snake hole could be as narrow as one inch to several inches wide. Its size depends on what kind of animal made it. Since snakes in North Carolina, or any other state, can’t dig holes, they generally occupy the holes of mice, moles or chipmunks.
Not all snake holes are in the dirt. Some are in trees or cracked concrete. You could find a snake hole in the foundation of your house.
The best way to make sure a snake is living in a hole is to physically see the snake move to or from the hole. Without actually seeing the snake, you can’t be sure if a snake is using the hole in the yard.
How deep are snake holes in North Carolina?
Some snake holes are only a few inches deep. Most snakes use rodent burrows, cracked concrete, rock crevices, and tree stump holes. Snakes need deeper holes to get through the cold winter months.
Copperhead Snake Holes In North Carolina
North Carolina Copperhead snakes do live in holes. Copperheads will hide in other places, too, such as crawl spaces, soft vegetation, under sheds, and log piles. Snakes don’t need holes. If a place is safe and warm, you could find a snake living there.
Snakes prefer to live near water and vegetation. They won’t dig their holes on your property. Instead, Copperhead snakes will take over the holes other animals made, generally those of mice, chipmunks, and moles.
In North Carolina, Copperheads might hibernate in a hole in your backyard from Fall, coming back in early April. Copperheads often hibernate with other Copperheads, so don’t be surprised if you find more than one Copperhead pit or hole in your yard.
The species is common in North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri.
Are there venomous snakes in North Carolina?
There are six species of venomous snakes in North Carolina.
- Eastern diamondback rattlesnake
- Eastern coral snake
- Copperhead
- Cottonmouth
- Timber rattlesnake
- Pigmy rattlesnake
The Eastern diamondback rattlesnake and the Eastern coral snake are the two most venomous snakes in North Carolina. But, the Copperhead is considered the most dangerous because it’s widely spread in NC. This species is often found near populated areas.
Does North Carolina have a snake problem?
North Carolina doesn’t have a snake problem even though there are 37 different species, six of which are venomous. Yes, there are many snakes in NC, but they aren’t a problem. On the contrary, snakes are an important part of the North Carolina ecosystem.
What is the most poisonous snake in North Carolina?
The Eastern diamondback rattlesnake and the Eastern coral snake are the two most poisonous snakes in North Carolina.
What kind of snakes live in North Carolina?
North Carolina has many snakes. Some are poisonous and some are not.
Here is a list of some of North Carolina’s snakes:
- Black Racer
- Black Rat Snake
- Brown Water Snake
- Brown Snake
- Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnake (Venomous)
- Coachwhip
- Copperhead (Venomous)
- Coral Snake (Venomous)
- Cornsnake
- Cottonmouth (Venomous)
- Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Venomous)
- Eastern Hognose Snake
- Eastern Kingsnake
- Eastern Milksnake
- Eastern Pine Snake
- Garter Snake
- Glossy Crayfish Snake
- Mole Kingsnake
- Mud Snake
- Northern Water Snake
- Pine Woods Snake
- Rainbow Snake
- Red-bellied Snake
- Ringneck Snake
- Rough Green Snake
- Rough Earth Snake
- Queen Snake
- Scarlet Kingsnake
- Scarlet Snake
- Smooth Earth Snake
- Southern Hognose
- Southeastern Crowned Snake
- Timber Rattlesnake (Venomous)
- Worm Snake
How can you tell a snake hole?
You can tell a snake hole if you see a snake moving in or out of it. But, even if you don’t see a snake, you might find evidence of one if you see skin or snake feces.
The skin pieces you find will help you determine the snake’s size. The signs you find will help you assess the problem and determine how many snakes you are dealing with.
To identify snake feces in your yard, look for dark brown smears with a white end. The size of the feces will help you determine the snake’s size. The larger the droppings, the larger the snake. The location of the feces can clue you into the snake’s activity.
What to pour down a snake hole?
You should pour down a rodent hole plug product in a snake hole. The rodent hole plug product will create a permanent seal of the hole. Use it for each snake hole you find on your property.
It offers a quick way to handle snake holes in your garden, backyard and around your house. Within a few minutes, you can seal all snake holes. Once sealed, you can cover the snake holes with topsoil or mulch.
Snake hole products are generally made of quick-setting materials mixed with water. It works similar to cement mixtures, installed within minutes. It completely plugs rodent, mole and snake holes.
The rodent hole plug product may include:
- The quick-setting filling material.
- The poly base.
- A push rod to safely place the base within the snake hole.
Push the poly base into the hole using the push rod to use the product.
Afterward, pour the filler into the hole up to a level slightly above the ground level. Then, add water to this filler and wait until it sets.
If you do not want the hardened mixture to be visible in your yard (for obvious aesthetic purposes), you can use mulch or soil to make it look more natural.
Chipmunk Holes vs. Snake Holes
There is no difference between a snake hole and a chipmunk hole, especially since snakes can’t dig holes. The only way to determine whether you are looking at a snake hole or a chipmunk hole is to see what kind of creature comes in or out.
Instead of digging a hole, snakes often move into chipmunk holes. A chipmunk’s hole is perfect for a snake. The snake can use it to hide out or hibernate. A chipmunk’s hole is a warm and safe place, perfect for snakes.
Although snakes can’t dig holes, they can still hide in your yard. Snakes use loose soil, mulch, and soft vegetation to hide.
Chipmunks, unlike snakes, are expert hole diggers. They dig complex burrows as deep as four feet and 30 feet long. These rodents will extend their holes as needed.
You can’t really compare a snake hole with a chipmunk hole. They can be one and the same. And you could have chipmunks and snakes living in different holes on your property.
Mole Holes vs. Snake Holes
There is no difference between a snake and mole holes, especially since snakes can’t dig holes. Moles spend most of their lives inside their tunnels. The only way to determine whether you are looking at a snake hole or a mole hole is to see what kind of creature comes in or out.
Instead of digging a hole, snakes often move into mole holes. A mole’s hole is perfect for a snake. The snake can use it to hide out or hibernate. A mole’s hole is a warm and safe place, perfect for snakes.
Although snakes can’t dig holes, they can still hide in your yard. Snakes use loose soil, mulch, and soft vegetation to hide.
Moles, unlike snakes, are expert hole diggers. They dig complex burrows as deep as four feet and 30 feet long. These rodents will extend their holes as needed.
You can’t compare a snake hole with a mole hole. They can be one and the same. And you could have moles and snakes living in different holes on your property.
