There's a copperhead snake in my backyard: Can I kill it? Here's what SC state law says.

Date:2025-08-02 06:08:56 Category:News Views:3 Comment:0

Watching a copperhead snake creep its way into the yard might just be the stuff of nightmares for some people.

Those who are fearful may want to run away and scream, arms flailing in the air. Others may be tempted to take matters into their own hands and attack it.

But did you know South Carolina has a law protecting snakes? If you kill one at the wrong time at the wrong place, there is a price you'll have to pay.

Can I kill a snake in SC?

According to S.C. state law, it is illegal to kill any snake on public land. Doing so is a misdemeanor and can carry a fine of $200 or 30 days in jail (Title 51-Parks, Recreation and Tourism, Chapter 3, State Parks, Sec. 51-3-145 (B)).

What should I do if a snake is on my property?

If you are worried about the safety of your kids and pets, you have the right to kill a snake on your land. However, this is not recommended since most snake bites occur when people are trying to kill a snake.

So what should you do instead?

"The best thing to do is to get a water hose. Snakes don't like trauma, so if you get a cold water hose and you just spray them really hard, they're going to head in the other direction," Trish Hobbs, park coordinator at Reed Creek Nature Park in Martinez, Georgia, told WRDW News 12.

Eastern Coral Snake, It’s often confused with the similarly marked harmless king snake.

What snake species are venomous in SC?

Copperhead
Cottonmouth
Eastern coral snake
Eastern diamondback snake
Timber rattlesnake
Pygmy rattlesnake

Why are snakes good for SC's environment?

Despite some residents' fear of snakes ― venomous or not ― snakes have an important role to play in S.C.'s ecosystem.

This is why the old saying "The only good snake is a dead snake" needs to go away.

Snakes are both predator and prey and serve as a food source for birds, mammals, and other reptiles, per U.S. Army. They also eat birds, mammals, amphibians, fish, and insects ― as well as small pests like rodents and slugs.

The snake's part in the circle of life helps to prevent the overpopulation of landscape due to most pest species, which cause damage to homes, gardens, and farms. These pest species can also spread diseases.

"Looking even further beyond those plusses, snakes have medicinal, educational, and aesthetic values in various capacities," said U.S. Army.

Are snakes friend of foe? The answer might depend on who you ask. But if a snake is minding its own business, it is probably best to respect this cool creature and leave it alone in nature.