North Carolina has highest venomous snakebite rate in US, report shows

Key Points:

• North Carolina has the highest estimated rate of venomous snakebites per capita in the U.S., with 18.79 incidents per 100,000 people and approximately 856 bites annually, according to a 2026 national analysis.
• While Texas reports the highest total number of venomous snakebites (over 1,400 per year), North Carolina ranks highest when adjusting for population size.
• Venomous snakes in North Carolina include copperheads, cottonmouths, rattlesnakes, and the rare eastern coral snake, with copperheads being the most common and widespread species.
• The CDC advises that if bitten by a snake, individuals should remain calm, seek emergency medical care immediately, avoid handling the snake, and follow specific first-aid steps such as washing the wound and removing tight clothing.
• North Carolina's diverse habitats, including Piedmont yards, Blue Ridge trails, and coastal wetlands, contribute to the risk of snakebites during warm months when human-snake encounters increase.