These US beaches are home to some of America's most venomous snakes
Some U.S. coastal areas are home to venomous snakes, which can be found in several habitats, including dunes, marshes and other areas near the shoreline.
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THE TAKEAWAY
- Several venomous snake species live along the Gulf and Southeast coasts.
- Some venomous snakes, including eastern diamondbacks, can swim.
- Yellow-bellied sea snakes have been spotted along Southern California beaches, including during El Niño events.
Beachgoers may be watching for rip currents, rough surf or even sharks, but snakes aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when heading to the beach.
However, some U.S. coastal areas are home to venomous snakes, which can be found in several habitats, including dunes, marshes and other areas near the shoreline.
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While snakes generally avoid people, they can bite when threatened or handled.
According to WorldAtlas, these are some of the U.S. beaches with the most venomous snakes:
Pensacola Beach, Florida
Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are found in coastal areas around Pensacola.
Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake. (pitchwayz / Getty Images)
WorldAtlas reported that three eastern diamondbacks were spotted around Fort Pickens in one week in 2018, including one seen swimming in the Gulf of America.
The National Park Service said the eastern diamondback is native to Gulf Islands National Seashore and can live in coastal dune habitats.
Georgia and South Carolina barrier islands
Eastern diamondbacks also inhabit portions of the Georgia and South Carolina coasts.
View through the dunes of people walking on the Beach on Jekyll Island, Georgia. In background you can see Cumberland Island were JK Jr. got married. (BeachcottagePhotography / Getty Images)
WorldAtlas reported that the snakes have been documented on sea islands farther up the coast, including in South Carolina’s ACE Basin.
The snakes use habitats such as maritime forests, dune scrub and palmetto thickets.
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Texas Gulf Coast
The species mix changes farther west along the Gulf Coast.
WorldAtlas reported that western diamondbacks are found along the Texas coast, while cottonmouths occur in coastal marshes and other wet habitats.
Sunrise on Padre Island from High Drone View with waves crashing along Beach such a paradise perfect summer escape. Padre Island Texas Gulf Coast Paradise Getaway Secret (RoschetzkystockPhoto / Getty Images)
The snakes are generally associated with dunes, scrub and marshes behind the beach rather than the open sand.
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Southern California beaches
Southern California has recorded rare appearances of the highly venomous yellow-bellied sea snake.
WorldAtlas reported sightings at Silver Strand Beach in Oxnard, Bolsa Chica State Beach and Coronado Dog Beach.
a bike path at the beach surrounded by silky brown sand with stone benches and trash cans and people on the beach with gray sky at Oxnard State Beach Park in Oxnard California USA (Marcus Jones / Getty Images)
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County has also documented the rare California appearances, including several associated with El Niño events.
Unlike the rattlesnakes found along parts of the Gulf and Southeast coasts, the yellow-bellied sea snake is a marine species that normally lives in tropical waters.