Category: Information

Beachcombing Guide

Coastal treasures commonly found on the beach strand at Holden Beach

Angel Wings
Auger
Babys Ear
Banded Tulip
Bay Scallop
Calico Clam
Calico Scallop
Cockle
Coquina Clams
Coral
Cross-barred Venus
Cross-hatched Lucine
Disk Dosinia
Eastern Oyster
Elegant Dosinia
Florida Horse Conch
Imperial Venus Clam
Jackknife
Jingles
Keyhold Limpet
Kitten’s Paw
Lion’s Paw
Moon Snail / Sand Collar
Murex
Northern Quahog
Olive
Oyster Drillers
Pen Shell
Periwinkles
Ponderous Ark
Sand Dollars / Sea Biscuit
Scotch Bonnet
Sea Urchin
Shark Tooth
Slipper Snail
Soft Shelled Clam
Southern Quahog
Spiny Jewel Box Clam
Starfish
Sunray Venus
Surf Clam
Turkey Wing Ark Clam
Whelks
Whelks Egg Case Strings
Wing Oyster

Angel Wings
Pholadidae, commonly referred to as angel wings or piddocks, are a family of bivalve mollusks similar to a clam. Angel wings are chalky white in color and measure four to eight inches in length. The muscles fusing the shell’s valves together are weak, making it rare to find angel wings with both halves still intact.

Auger
The Terebridae, commonly referred to as Auger shells or Auger snails, is a group or family of small to large predatory marine gastropods in the superfamily Conoidea. Augers have extremely high spired shells with numerous whorls, and the common name refers to the resemblance of their shells to rock drill-type drill bits.

Babys Ear
Sinum perspectivum, commonly referred to as baby ear, is a species of predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Naticidae, the moon snails. It has a shallowly coiled shell with a wide opening and graceful curved outline.

Banded Tulip
Cinctura lilium, commonly referred to as the banded tulip, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Fasciolariidae. This smooth, gracefully shaped beauty has a moderately thin shell. Colors range from pearly gray with splotches of olive green or tan. It may also have dark brown bands in parallel lines around the shell and can be from 2 to 4 inches.

Bay Scallop
Argopecten irradians, commonly referred to as the bay scallop, is a marine bivalve mollusk in the family Pectinidae, a species of scallop. The shell of a bay scallop is broadly fan shaped with more than 14 radial ribs. They usually have a molted pattern and come in all sizes and colors. 

Calico Clam
Macrocallista maculata, commonly referred to as the calico clam, is a species of bivalve mollusk in the family Veneridae.

Calico Scallop
Argopecten gibbus, commonly referred to as the Atlantic calico scallop, is a species of medium-sized edible marine bivalve mollusk in the family Pectinidae, the scallops. The shell near the hinge is extended into “ears”, as is the case in all scallops. The fan-shaped shell of the calico scallop has about 20 radial ribs, which are sometimes roughened by growth lines. It is similar in shape and sculpturing to the bay scallop. Though similar the stripes are often more pronounced on the Calico Scallop and is more coveted of the two, as it’s flecked with pretty patches of rose, pink, and red.

Cockle
A cockle is an edible, marine bivalve mollusk. Although many small edible bivalves are loosely called cockles, true cockles are species in the family Cardiidae. The distinctive rounded shells are bilaterally symmetrical and are heart-shaped when viewed from the end.

Coquina Clams
Donax is a genus of small, edible saltwater clams, marine bivalve mollusks. The genus is sometimes known as bean clams or wedge shells; however, Donax species have numerous different common names in different parts of the world. These shells are small – about the size of a fingernail and is characterized by its smooth surface and its dual shell and come in a rainbow of pastel but brilliant colors.

Coral
Marine invertebrates in the class Anthozoa of phylum Cnidaria, come from the shelf edge, approximately 75 miles offshore, known as “Outer Shelf Reefs.”. Coral are reef builders that inhabit oceans and secrete calcium carbonate to form a hard skeleton.

Cross-barred Venus
Chione cancellata, is a species of medium-sized saltwater clam, a marine bivalve mollusk in the family Veneridae, the venus clams. The cloudy white to yellow-white shells are highly distinctive, with raised, bladelike concentric ridges superimposed on strong radial ribs and giving the shells their characteristic cancellate (crisscrossed) appearance.

Cross-hatched Lucine
Divaricella quadrisulcata, commonly referred to as the cross-hatched lucine, is a species of bivalve mollusk in the family Lucinidae. They are generally white in color and have a little tip at one end of their circular shell.

Disk Dosinia
Dosinia discus, commonly referred to as the disk dosinia, is a species of bivalve mollusk in the family Veneridae. They are white, flattened, and nearly circular. There are numerous fine concentric ridges with a varnish like layer that covers the shell.

Eastern Oyster
Crassostrea virginica, commonly referred to as the eastern oyster may also be called the east coast oyster. Like all oysters, it is a bivalve mollusk with a hard shell, which protects it from predation. This particular type of oyster has an important environmental value because it is a filter feeder, cleaning the water around them.

Elegant Dosinia
Dosinia elegans, commonly referred to as the elegant dosinia, is a species of bivalve mollusk in the family Veneridae.

Florida Horse Conch
Triplofusus papillosus, commonly referred to as the Florida horse conch, is a species of extremely large predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Fasciolariidae. Although known as a horse conch, this is not a true conch, this species is the largest gastropod in the American waters.

Imperial Venus Clam
Lirophora latilirata, commonly referred to as the imperial venus clam, is a bivalve mollusk in the family Veneridae. The shell is rounded, triangular and well-inflated, with large, heavy concentric ridges which are often sharply shelved at the top.

Jackknife
Ensis leei, commonly referred to as the jackknife clam is a large edible marine bivalve mollusk. This shell is most noted for its length. It is primarily a silver, gray color and is shaped like a straight razor. It is primarily a silver, gray color and is shaped like a straight razor. Also known as a razor clam, it gets its name from the rim of the shell being extremely sharp.

Jingles
Anomia is a genus of saltwater clams, marine bivalve mollusks in the family Anomiidae. They have translucent shells and are commonly known as Jingle Shells because when a handful of them are shaken they make a jingling sound.

Keyhold Limpet
Fissurellidae, are limpet-like sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the clade Vetigastropoda. The name comes from the small hole in the apex of their cone-like shells. It looks like a volcano with a single hole at the peak.

Kitten’s Paw
Plicatula gibbosa, commonly referred to as the  kitten’s paw, is a species of bivalve mollusk in the family Plicatulidae. The shell resembles the foot of a kitten, it is fan shaped with distinct wavy ribs on the outside.

Lion’s Paw
Nodipecten nodosus, commonly referred to as the lion’s paw scallop, is a species of bivalve mollusk in the family Pectinidae. The shell’s common name is derived from its appearance, the color, and the knobs giving it some visual similarities to the paw of a lion.

Moon Snail
Naticidae, are predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the clade Littorinimorpha. They will attack almost any other shelled mollusk they encounter in the sand, including other moon snails. They are broad, circular shells that feature a central spiral that gets larger until it reaches an equally circular opening. Also called a shark eye, it has four to five whorls that spiral inward to form the “eye”.

Moon Snail – Sand Collar
Sand collars are the characteristic egg masses of one family of sea snails, the moon snails. These egg masses are often found washed up either whole, or sometimes in fragments, on sandy beaches where moon snails are living.

Murex
Murex is a genus of medium to large sized predatory tropical sea snails. These are carnivorous marine gastropod mollusks in the family Muricidae, commonly referred to as murexes or rock snails. This genus includes many showy members, their elongate shells highly sculptured with spines or fronds.

Northern Quahog
Mercenaria mercenaria, commonly referred to as a quahog, round clam, or hard-shell clam, is an edible marine bivalve mollusk that is native to the eastern shores of North America. The shell is thick with fine concentric rings. It is one of many unrelated edible bivalves that in the United States are frequently referred to simply as clams.

Olive
Olividae, commonly referred to as olives, are marine gastropod mollusks in the family Olividae. They are carnivorous sand-burrowers in the taxonomic family of medium to large predatory sea snails. With smooth, shiny, cylindrical shaped shells these shells are distinctive for their tight spiral top, their long and skinny opening, and their modest size. They are also the official state shell of South Carolina.

Oyster Drillers
Urosalpinx cinerea, commonly referred to as the oyster drill or eastern oyster drill, is a species of small predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Muricidae, the murexes or rock snails. The oyster driller is a small, predatory snail with a pointed, ribbed shell. The oyster driller grows to about one inch in length. Its oval-shaped shell varies in color from gray or purplish to tan or yellowish-white and has a pointed spire or tip. The shell has five to six raised whorls; brown, spiraling vertical ribs; and a thin, flared lip with small teeth.

Pen Shell
Pinna nobilis, commonly referred to as the noble pen shell or fan mussel, is a large species of Mediterranean clam, a marine bivalve mollusk in the family Pinnidae. Its shape differs depending on the region it inhabits. Delicate and beautiful they are distinctive for its iridescent exterior which can exude a rainbow of colors in the light.

Atrina serrata, or saw-toothed pen shell; thin and fragile, it has a that’s ridged and colored a deep, smoky brown.

Atrina rigida, commonly called the rigid pen shell; they have a long, triangular, or wedge-shaped shell. They are a brown or purplish-brown color and have 15 or more radiating ribs that fan out across the shell.

Periwinkles
Littorina littorea, commonly referred to as the common periwinkle is a species of small edible whelk or sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk that has gills and an operculum, and is classified within the family Littorinidae, the periwinkles. These shells are distinctive for their conical shapes and intricate forms.

Ponderous Ark
Noetia ponderosa, commonly referred to as the ponderous ark clam, is a clam in the family Noetiidae.

Sand Dollars
Sand dollars are species of flat, burrowing sea urchins belonging to the order Clypeasteroida. Some species within the order, not quite as flat, are known as sea biscuits. This round sea urchin is tan to light brown, have a fivefold radial pattern, and its five slots resemble keyholes. The sand dollar you find on the beach is actually the skeleton of a variety of sea urchin. Dead Sand Dollars are commonly found with their empty test devoid of all surface material and bleached white by sunlight. Living Sand Dollars, those that are brown or green and sport fuzz, should be gently returned to the sea.

Sea Biscuit
Fossilized Sand Dollars

Scotch Bonnet
Semicassis granulate, commonly referred to as the Scotch bonnet, is a medium-sized to large species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the subfamily Cassinae. The common name “Scotch bonnet” alludes to the general outline and color pattern of the shell, it is named for its resemblance to the caps and plaid worn by the Scottish. This gorgeous shell features a conical shape, with a ridged body often covered with brown speckles. Scotch bonnets, especially intact ones, are an incredibly rare find. They are also the official state shell of North Carolina.

Sea Urchin
Arbacia punctulate, has a flattened, globular, calcareous shell made up of skeletal plates.

Shark Tooth
Sharks continually shed their teeth. Coastal North Carolina is a hot spot for shark teeth because sharks live along the coast and the region is situated above fossil deposits.

Slipper Snail
Crepidula fornicata, commonly referred to as the slipper snail, boat shell, quarterdeck shell, fornicating slipper snail and slipper limpet. This is a species of medium-sized sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Calyptraeidae. The sea snail has an arched, rounded shell.  On the inside of the shell there is a white “deck”, which causes the shell to resemble a boat or a slipper.

Soft Shelled Clam
Mya arenaria, commonly referred to as soft-shell clams, popularly called steamers, softshells, piss clams, Ipswich clams, or Essex clams are a species of edible saltwater clam, a marine bivalve mollusk in the family Myidae. These shells are very thin and easily broken, hence the name “soft-shells.” They can be white, cream, brown, gold, or gray.

Southern Quahog
Mercenaria campechiensis, commonly referred to as a southern quahog, is a genus of edible saltwater clams, marine bivalve mollusks. It is a large member of the Venus Clam family Veneridae that may grow to be 6 inches in size. The species is very similar to the northern quahog.

Spiny Jewel Box Clam
Arcinella cornuta, commonly referred to as the spiny jewel box clam, is a species of bivalve mollusk in the family Chamidae. The shell itself is thick and heavy for its size. Fresh shell specimens will have more distinct erect tubular spines on the 7-9 rows (ribs) across the shell, radiating from the beak. The shells are commonly found on southern beaches, but most of the spines have been broken off by the surf.

Starfish
Asterias rubens, commonly referred to as the common starfish, which is not a fish but are star-shaped echinoderms. Belonging to the family Asteriidae, the common starfish normally has five arms, broad at their base and gradually tapering to a point at their tips, which are often turned up slightly.

Sunray Venus
Macrocallista nimbosa, commonly referred to as the sunray venus clam, is a species of bivalve mollusk in the family Veneridae.

Surf Clam
Spisula solidissima, commonly referred to as the surf clam, bar clam, hen clam or skimmer. It is a very large, edible, saltwater clam, or marine bivalve mollusk in the family Mactridae.

Turkey Wing
Arca zebra, commonly referred to as the turkey wing ark clam, is a bivalve mollusk in the family Arcidae, the ark clams.

Whelks
Whelks are a species of large predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk, a busycon whelk, belonging to the family Busyconidae. Often mistaken for conch shells, whelks are noted for being striking in appearance. They have conical shapes with spiral tops, and often have wide openings. Depending on the species, some shells have spikes or ridges towards the top. The three most common varieties of whelks include Lightning Whelks, Knobbed Whelks and Channel Whelks. To identify the Lightening Whelk from the Channel Whelk, remember this: Lightening’s open on the left, and Channeled Whelks open on the right.

Lightning Whelks are similar appearance to the Knobbed Whelk but with a left-side opening. This means the snail is left-handed and the body is on the left as it travels forward with the spire in the rear.

Knobbed Whelks have several triangular knobbed spirals that taper to a long siphon canal.

Channeled Whelks are easy to classify with its deep channeled spirals and weak knobbs, if any.

Whelks Egg Case Strings
Whelks lay their eggs in a long, spiral-shaped casing that can reach up to 33 inches in length. The strand contains up to 200 small pouches, and each pouch contains up to 99 eggs. The female protects the string of eggs by anchoring one end at the bottom of the ocean.

Wing Oyster
Pteria colymbus, commonly referred to as the winged oyster is a species of bivalve mollusk in the family Pteriidae. The wing oyster has a distinctive, asymmetric shape. It has a long straight hinge with one wing drawn out a long way and the other one much smaller. On the beach, they look like a broken cockle shell, if you don’t notice the wings.

 Jellyfish Guide

Jellies commonly seen at Holden Beach

There are two types of jellyfish, or gelatinous zooplankton in North Carolina — true jellyfish and comb jellies, or ctenophores. True jellyfish pump water for propulsion by using the bell on top of their bodies to first contract and then relax their bodies to move water, hence pushing themselves forward in the water column. Comb jellies do not pump water to get around. Instead, they have eight rows of hair-like structures called cilia all around the outside of their bodies. By moving the cilia in a wavelike pattern, they slowly move through the water column.

Jellyfish are not really fish, of course, because a fish’s anatomy is centered around its backbone, whereas the jellyfish is a dome-shaped invertebrate. Therefore, it’s more accurate to refer to them simply as “jellies.” Believe it or not, these roving creatures, with their umbrella shape and hanging tentacles, are most closely related to corals , sea anemones, sea whips, and hydrozoans. Why? They share a distinctive body part – a harpoon-like stinging cell used to capture prey. Generally, these cells are called cnidocytes (hint: don’t pronounce the “c”), which comes from the ancient Greek word for nettle. Therefore, animals in this phylum are called cnidarians. The cnidocytes on jellies’ tentacles discharge venom from a sac called a nematocyst. These help them to capture floating prey in the water column. Jellies have limited control over their movement, using a muscle to propel themselves short distances by expanding and contracting their bell. Therefore, they drift in currents and often appear in large masses called a “bloom,” a “swarm,” or a “smack.”  Purists consider the only “true jellies” to be members of one specific class of cnidarians, but many similar looking animals with dangling tentacles are referred to as jellyfish. For example, the Portuguese man o’ war is often mistaken for a type of jellyfish but is in fact a different type of cnidarian that inflicts a nasty sting. Comb jellies, despite the word “jelly” in their name, are not related to cnidarians. This is because they lack stinging cells, which makes them harmless to humans.

Often times beachgoers will spot jellyfish washed up on shore and other times they can be spotted in the water, but it is best to avoid them when you can. “While all jellyfish sting, not all contain poison that hurts humans. Be careful of jellies that wash up on shore, as some can still sting if tentacles are wet. NOAA recommends that if you are stung by a jellyfish to first seek a lifeguard to give first aid. If no lifeguards are present, wash the wound with vinegar or rubbing alcohol,” NOAA suggests. And what about that … other method of treating stings? Turns out, it’s a myth. In fact, urine can actually aggravate the stinging cells of jellyfish, making things worse. These cells, which detach and stick into the skin of prey, can continue to inject venom. Urine, as well as fresh water, can cause an imbalance to the salt solution surrounding the stinging cells, causing them to continue to fire. According to Scientific American, if you don’t have vinegar or rubbing alcohol, rinsing with salt water may be your best bet.

Cannonballs
The cannonball jellyfish (Stomolophus meleagris), also known as the cabbagehead jellyfish, is a species of jellyfish in the family Stomolophidae. Its common name derives from its similarity to a cannonball in shape and size. It is the most common jellyfish found in North Carolina. During summer and fall, large gatherings of this jelly take place near coastal areas and in the mouths of North Carolina estuaries. While this species is the most abundant jelly, it is also the least harmful to humans. It has the weakest sting of all jellies found in local waters. Easy to identify by their white bell with chocolate-brown bands, they have no tentacles, just fingerlike appendages hanging down from the bell.

Lion’s Mane
The lion’s mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata) is one the largest species in North Carolina waters. This species is easy to identify, as it is the only jellyfish that is orange in color. The bell, measuring 6-8 inches, is saucer-shaped with reddish-brown oral arms and eight clusters of tentacles hanging underneath. It usually appears during the colder months, this species is also known as the winter jelly, because it prefers the colder waters along the North Carolina coast after the Gulf Stream has moved farther offshore during winter months. Lion’s manes are usually considered moderate stingers, and symptoms of a sting are similar to that of a moon jelly, but with a little more discomfort. It is the largest known jellyfish species in the world. Its name was inspired by its showy, trailing tentacles that resemble an African lion’s mane. The lion’s mane uses its stinging tentacles to capture, pull in and eat with a diet of fish and smaller jellyfish that get too close to the tentacles. Its nematocysts, or stinging cells, are not known to be fatal to humans, pain from stings is relatively mild and often described as burning rather than stinging.

Moon jellies
The Moon jellies (Aurelia aurita) is one of the more otherworldly jellyfish is the moon jellyfish. These look like underwater flying saucers. Moon jellyfish are most common during the summer months from early June to September. This translucent species averages about 6 to 8 inches in diameter at the saucer-shaped bell. They have 4 horseshoe-shaped gonads in the center of the bell and short tentacles. It feeds by collecting medusae, plankton and mollusks with their tentacles and bring the food back into their body for digestion. They are only able to move slightly by themselves and rely more on ocean currents even when swimming by pulsing and relaxing their bell. Moon jellies breathe oxygen from surrounding waters by way of a thin membrane that covers the tops of their bodies.

Mushroom Cap
The Mushroom Cap jellies (Rhopilema verrilli) are cnidarian invertebrates distinguished by their mushroom-shaped medusae. The species does not have any tentacles; however, they still have stinging cells, called nematocysts, within their bells, which can produce mild stings to humans. Mushroom jellies are commonly mistaken for cannonballs, but they lack the brown bands of the cannonball. According to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, the mushroom jelly has a firm and dense swimming bell, however its bell is usually flatter than that of the cannonball. The bell does have finger-shaped arms that grow down from the center.

Portuguese man o’ war
The man-of-War are not usually in the area unless pushed to the coast by wind and ocean currents. It is a purple-blue color and can be up to 10 inches long. The Portuguese man o’ war (Physalia physalis), is not a jellyfish but related to the species and is highly venomous. It has numerous venomous microscopic nematocysts which deliver a painful sting powerful enough to kill fish. Stings can result in intense joint and muscle pain, headaches, shock, collapse, faintness, hysteria, chills, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Severe stings can occur even when the animal is beached or dead. Although it superficially resembles a jellyfish, the Portuguese man o’ war is in fact a siphonophore. Like all siphonophores, it is a colonial organism, made up of many smaller units called zooids. All zooids in a colony are genetically identical, but fulfill specialized functions such as feeding and reproduction, and together allow the colony to operate as a single individual.

Sea Nettle
The Atlantic sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) is a species of jellyfish that inhabits the Atlantic coast of the United States. Sea nettles are quite common and is the second-largest jellyfish. This species is semitransparent, saucer-shaped, and 6-8 inches in diameter with small white dots and reddish-brown stripes. They often appear in summer months and their stings can be moderate to severe. Sea Nettle’s cause most of the jellyfish stings in the state.

Sea Wasps
Sea Wasps (Chironex fleckeri) is a species of extremely venomous box jellyfish found in coastal waters. The jelly is also called the box jelly because of its cube-shaped bell. They are 5-6 inches in diameter and 4-6 inches in height. Notorious for its sting, C. fleckeri has tentacles up to 3 m (10 ft) long covered with millions of cnidocytes which, on contact, release microscopic darts delivering an extremely powerful venom. The sea wasp jelly is the most dangerous to humans, and the most venomous of all true jellies found in North Carolina waters. Being stung commonly results in excruciating pain followed by a severe skin rash. A sting may lead to a trip to the hospital, depending on the reaction severity. If stung in the face or neck area, it’s best to seek medical help as soon as is possible.

There are 6 venomous snakes in North Carolina. Know what they look like.
If it’s spring, it’s time for us to remind you about some of the slithering neighbors you might encounter when you’re outdoors over the next several months. As the weather warms up in North Carolina, snakes start moving around, doing snakey things, and we are more likely to cross paths with them. They generally aren’t cause for much concern, but encounters can be a little scary for some (for the snakes as well as the people). It’s important to know that of the 38 species of snakes in North Carolina, the majority are nonvenomous and not aggressive toward people unless threatened. Arm yourself with knowledge. Learn about the venomous (sometimes incorrectly referred to as poisonous) snakes in our area, and how to distinguish them from the harmless ones.

How to tell if a snake is venomous

What’s the head shape? A commonly shared rule of thumb is that most venomous snakes have a triangular or diamond-shaped head, while nonvenomous snakes have a tapered head.

You can’t rely on that, though. Some nonvenomous snakes (such as a rat snake) can mimic the triangular shape of venomous snakes by flattening their heads when threatened (to avoid becoming the prey of another animal), so never go by head shape alone.

Can you see its eyes? Another tricky but often shared tip is to check out the pupil shape. Venomous snakes have been said to have oblong pupils that look like a slit in the center of the eye, whereas nonvenomous snakes will have a round pupil. In fact, according to a document on the NC Wildlife website, a snake’s pupils can dilate just like a human’s, and can look round.

The best way to know if a snake is venomous is to know which venomous snakes are common in your area and know what they look like.

North Carolina’s venomous snakes

There are six venomous snakes found in North Carolina:

• • The copperhead
  • The cottonmouth (also called water moccasin)
  • The Eastern diamondback rattlesnake
  • The timber rattlesnake
  • The pigmy rattlesnake
  • The Eastern coral snake

Copperhead
Copperhead snakes are the most common venomous snakes in North Carolina.

What they look like: They are brownish in color with an hourglass shaped pattern, which resembles a Hershey Kiss. Copperhead babies are born with a yellow or green tail tip, which turns brown or black after they are about a year old. Adult copperheads grow to about 3 feet long.

The bite: The Carolinas Poison Center in Charlotte says it receives about 10 times the number of calls about copperhead bites than all other snakes combined. Copperhead bites can be severe, but about half of copperhead bites result in only mild swelling and pain.

Where are they? Copperheads are found all over North Carolina.
(Source: Carolinas Poison Center)

Cottonmouth (water moccasin)

What they look like: Cottonmouth snakes have dark bands on dark or olive skin, but are most well-known for the white, cotton-like interior of their mouths.

Young cottonmouths can be lighter in color and can resemble copperheads. Juvenile cottonmouths have bright yellow or greenish tail tips, and the details of the cross-band pattern are most evident in this age group. Older cottonmouth snakes are often completely dark and with no pattern.

Adult cottonmouths grow to about 3-4 feet in length but have been known to grow to 6 feet.

The bite: The bite severity of a cottonmouth is similar to that of a copperhead.

Where are they? Cottonmouths are found mostly in the eastern part of North Carolina and prefer freshwater environments (but can also be found on land).
(Source: Carolinas Poison Center)

Eastern diamondback rattlesnake

What they look like: The eastern diamondback rattlesnake has gray or yellowish skin with a dark diamond pattern outlined in black. They have large, broad heads with two light lines on the face.

The Eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the heaviest, though not the longest, venomous snake in the Americas, and it is the largest rattlesnake in the world. These snakes can weigh up to four or five pounds and typically grow to about 4-5 feet in length (the largest ever recorded was 8 feet long).

These snakes are known for the bone-chilling rattle sound they make.

The bite: Bites from rattlesnakes are more severe than bites from copperheads or cottonmouths, and are considered a medical emergency.

Where are they? They are found in the southeastern parts of North Carolina, preferring sandy, coastal regions.
(Source: Carolinas Poison Center, Savannah River Ecology Lab)

Pigmy rattlesnake

What they look like: Pigmy rattlesnakes have gray, pinkish or red skin with a dark, spotted pattern. They grow only to about 1-2 feet in length.

Pigmy rattlesnakes do rattle, but the rattle sounds more like a buzz.

The bite: Bites from rattlesnakes are more severe than copperheads or cottonmouths and are considered a medical emergency.

Where are they? These snakes are found in the southeastern part of North Carolina, particularly in forests.
(Source: Carolinas Poison Center)

Timber rattlesnake

What they look like: The timber rattlesnake can vary in color but has dark bands on lighter skin with a rattle at the end of its tail. Coastal varieties have what looks like a brown or orange “racing stripe” down the middle of the back.

Timber rattlesnakes grow to about 4 feet in length.

The bite: Bites from rattlesnakes are more severe than copperheads or cottonmouths and are considered a medical emergency.

Where are they? Timber rattlesnakes can be found throughout North Carolina, preferring forests.
(Source: Carolinas Poison Center)

Eastern coral snake

Coral snakes are actually extremely rare in North Carolina and are considered endangered, but they are quite venomous.

What they look like: These snakes are slender with red, yellow, and black rings. The coral snake closely resembles the scarlet kingsnake (which is harmless), but there’s an easy way to tell them apart. Just remember this rhyme: “Red touches black, friend of Jack; red touches yellow, kills a fellow.”

Another way to tell a scarlet kingsnake from a coral snake is by the color of its snout. A scarlet kingsnake has a red snout, and a coral snake has a black snout.

A coral snake’s snout is also blunt shaped, especially compared to most snakes.

The bite: Coral snake venom attacks the central nervous system, and death, if it occurs, is usually the result of respiratory failure.

Where are they? Coral snakes live in sandy areas nearer the South Carolina border and stay underground most of the time.
(Source: Herps of NC)

If you have been bitten by a snake, you SHOULD:

▪ Sit down and stay calm.

▪ Gently wash the bite area with warm, soapy water.

▪ Remove any jewelry or tight clothing near the bite site.

▪ Keep the bitten area still, if possible, and raise it to heart level.

▪ Call the Carolinas Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222.

Note: If a snakebite victim is having chest pain, difficulty breathing, face swelling or has lost consciousness, call 911 immediately.

If bitten by a snake, you SHOULD NOT:

▪ Cut the bitten area to try to drain the venom. This can worsen the injury.

▪ Ice the area. Icing causes additional tissue damage.

▪ Apply a tourniquet or any tight bandage. It’s actually better for the venom to flow through the body than for it to stay in one area.

▪ Suck on the bite or use a suction device to try to remove the venom.

▪ Attempt to catch or kill the snake.

Call Carolinas Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for questions about a snake bite or for more information.
(Source: Carolinas Poison Center)

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“A Second Helping”

Their food collections have now totaled more than two hundred and ninety-eight thousand (298,000) pounds of food since the program began in June of 2005. Hunger exists everywhere in this country; join them in the fight to help end hunger in Brunswick County.

Who     
A Second Helping is a volunteer organization that does a transfer of food program and is beginning its nineteenth year this June.

What   
It is a program to collect any leftover items from people as they leave the island. Food items are distributed to the needy of Brunswick County.

When  
They take donations Saturday mornings (8:00am to 10:30am) during the summer, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Program to collect food Saturday mornings (8:00am to 10:30am) during the summer at the Beach Mart on the Causeway.

Where
The drop-off site is at the Beach Mart, south end of the parking lot, on the Causeway just off Holden Beach Road.

Why  
Your donations are put to good use in helping to feed the hungry in this area.

Ways to Give
You can either donate food or you can send cash donations. Cash donations are gratefully accepted. One hundred percent (100%) of these cash donations are used to buy more food. You can be assured that the money will be very well spent.

Mail Donations to:
A Second Helping
% Sharon United Methodist Church
2030 Holden Beach Road
Supply, NC 28462                         

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