Carolinas Poison Center is warning the public about an increase in snake bites.
The center took 517 calls last year about venomous snake bites and gets about two calls per day from May through September, mostly about copperheads.
VIEWER PHOTOS: Snakes around the Charlotte area
There are four other venomous snake species in the state.
Children who play outside and those who garden are the most at risk, center officials said.
Carolinas Poison Center urges North Carolinians to call 1-800-222-1222 if bitten or exposed to any other poison.