Very rare in North Carolina, Eastern Diamondback is one of our most dangerous snakes. They are quite venemous but fortunately they often (but not always) use their rattle tails to give warning before they strike.

The large, old snake at left was photographed by Alan Johnston (at close range!) on Little St. Simons Island, Glynn Co., Georgia, 2/24/2006. Alan happened upon the snake while he was birding one of the island's trails, and was fortunate to be able to safely snap a few photos with his Nikon CoolPix 995.