It sounds like the snake you are describing could be the Northern Water snake (Nerodia Sipedon), which is a large, non-venomous snake that can be found fairly commonly in South Carolina. The Northern Water snake can grow as big as 135cm and can have a white belly with reddish accents and bands. Northern Water snakes are active both during the day and night, and are often found on rocks and stumps. During the day they hunt for small fish, leeches and worms amongst other things from within plants on the waters edge. At night, they prey on sleeping fish such as minnows in the shallow water.
Normally Northern Water snakes like to reside in beaver lodges or muskrat houses as they can hide amongst the sticks and plant stems. These snakes are least concerned on the scale of endangerment so they can be found commonly in most areas that there is freshwater. During the winter, the Northern Water snake hibernates in dens alongside other similar snakes such as copperheads and black rat snakes.
Most Northern Water snakes mate throughout April to June. They are an unusual type of snake as they are ovoviviparous, this means that unlike most other snakes they do not lay eggs. Instead, they are live-bearers. Each baby snake will be between 19 and 23cm long and a female can give birth to up to 30 young snakes at one time, usually between August and October. Once the snakes have been born they are not cared for; the female leaves them alone to fend for themselves.
Northern Water snakes are prey for a number of animals. Birds, racoons, foxes and turtles will all try to attack the snakes, who defend themselves by repeatedly biting a predator as well as releasing musk and excrement. The bites from a Northern Water snake may bleed, but they are not poisonous.
Normally Northern Water snakes like to reside in beaver lodges or muskrat houses as they can hide amongst the sticks and plant stems. These snakes are least concerned on the scale of endangerment so they can be found commonly in most areas that there is freshwater. During the winter, the Northern Water snake hibernates in dens alongside other similar snakes such as copperheads and black rat snakes.
Most Northern Water snakes mate throughout April to June. They are an unusual type of snake as they are ovoviviparous, this means that unlike most other snakes they do not lay eggs. Instead, they are live-bearers. Each baby snake will be between 19 and 23cm long and a female can give birth to up to 30 young snakes at one time, usually between August and October. Once the snakes have been born they are not cared for; the female leaves them alone to fend for themselves.
Northern Water snakes are prey for a number of animals. Birds, racoons, foxes and turtles will all try to attack the snakes, who defend themselves by repeatedly biting a predator as well as releasing musk and excrement. The bites from a Northern Water snake may bleed, but they are not poisonous.
