How concerned should I be about snakes in Georgia?

Thamnophis sirtalis - or more commonly known as the garter snake.

I get this question all the time from people moving to the Atlanta area, usually after someone tells them that Georgia is home to seven kinds of venomous snakes. They want to understand the actual risk, especially if they enjoy camping, hiking, or spending time outdoors. Many are coming from places where they've spent years outside without ever seeing a snake—let alone a pit viper or a coral snake.

It's a fair question, and it deserves an honest answer based on facts, not myths or clickbait.

Georgia has either six or seven species of native snakes whose venom is considered medically significant to humans. Whether the number is six or seven depends on whether you consider the Florida cottonmouth to be a separate species from the Northern cottonmouth. That distinction also illustrates an important point:

Georgia's venomous snakes are not evenly distributed across the state.

Click on the image to see a larger version.

In fact, none of our venomous snakes occur statewide. Each species has its own habitat preferences, climate requirements, and preferred prey. Here in the northeast suburbs of Atlanta, for example, conditions are suitable for only three venomous species. Of those three, two have no verified records from either Gwinnett or Hall counties. The only venomous snake that is regularly encountered in this area is the copperhead.

Although habitat models suggest that timber rattlesnakes and dusky pygmy rattlesnakes could occur here, they generally do not thrive in heavily developed areas where forests have been cleared and human activity is constant.

Copperheads are relatively common, but they're often overlooked because they are quiet, ambush predators with exceptional camouflage. Their goal is not to interact with people, and they certainly don't want to bite unless they feel threatened and have no other option.

The most common copperhead bite occurs when someone accidentally steps on one, often while barefoot or wearing inadequate footwear in low-light conditions. The snake reacts defensively because it has been surprised.

Fortunately, avoiding a bite is usually straightforward. Wear sturdy shoes when outdoors, especially around dusk or after dark. Watch where you place your hands and feet, and never reach into areas you can't clearly see. Take a little time to learn how to identify the venomous snake—or snakes—that live where you live, hike, or camp. Georgia is home to 46 native snake species, but you don't need to learn them all. Knowing the few venomous species found in your area is enough.

One of the most important facts to remember is that trying to catch or kill a snake increases your risk of being bitten by more than four times. It also carries legal consequences. Killing a non-venomous native snake in Georgia is illegal and can result in misdemeanor charges, fines of up to $1,000, and up to a year in jail. If the snake happens to be a federally protected species, killing it could result in felony charges with much more severe penalties.

The best approach is simple: give snakes plenty of space and appreciate them from a safe, respectful distance. If a snake truly needs to be removed, you'll find a link at the bottom of this post to a network of trained volunteer snake relocators who will safely remove and relocate it free of charge. And in many cases, if the snake is simply passing through your yard, a gentle spray from a garden hose is all it takes to encourage it to continue on to a quieter place.