Coming in contacts with snakes can be thrilling and scaring at the same time but knowing how to tell if a snake is venomous or not is essential in order to ensure your safety. Some snakes are harmless while others are not and can pose potential risk to humans and pets alike.
We have made a comprehensive list below to help your explore different methods and characteristics to look out for when determining if a snake is venomous or not.
1. The Geographical Distribution
Before identifying snake specie, you need to know the region you reside in. Finding snake that are venomous depends on your geographical location.
Being aware of the type of snake that can be found in your region is the first step.
Also, you can talk to field guides, local wildlife authorities or some online resources to learn about the venomous snakes that can be found in your region.
2. The Head Shape and Body Characteristics
A very important feature used in identifying venomous snakes is through their head shape and body characteristics.
This method might not be all that trustworthy but it can provide insights to a snake’s nature.
Venomous snakes possess diamond or triangular shaped heads which is quite different from the more rounded heads of non-venomous snakes.
Also, venomous snakes have thicker and shorter tails compared to other species which aren’t.
3. Eye Shape and Pupil Type
Looking at the eye shape and pupil of a snake can give you clues if it’s venomous or not. Most snakes that are venomous have slit-shaped or elliptical pupils which are quite similar to that of cats.
Non-venomous snakes have round pupils unlike the venomous ones.
Note that the pupil shape alone cannot determine if a snake is venomous or not as some species of colubrid have slip pupils.
4. Examine the Snake’s Color and Pattern
Snakes with venom often possess distinctive colors and patterns that help them different from other snakes that are not venomous. Most venomous snakes have colors like bright red, yellow or orange which is often accompanied by bold patterns.
Note that not all venomous snakes have bright colors so it is important to check other factors when identifying venomous snakes.
5. Take Note of Behavioral Cues
When you observe a snake’s behavior, this can give you insight as to whether it is venomous or not.
Snakes that are venomous possess defensive characters like coiling, hissing and striking when they feel threatened while the ones without venom may attempt to run away or remain calm and motionless to avoid being detected.
It is important to be cautious and maintain a safe distance when observing a snake to avoid provocation or accident.
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6. Consider the Presence of Rattle
There is a type of venomous snakes known as Rattlesnakes. They are primarily found in South and North America. They are well known for their distinctive rattle appendage that can be found at the end of their tail.
7. Look Out for Heat-Sensing Pits
A lot of venomous snakes like rattlesnakes, copperheads and cottonmouths have specialized heat-sensing pits that can be found between their eyes and nostrils.
These pits help them detect infrared radiation that are emitted by warm-blooded prey which enables them to strike accurately and capture their targets even when the light condition is low.
Non-venomous snakes may have same looking structures but true heat-sensing pits are features of many venomous snakes.
8. Evaluate Tail Characteristics
This might not always be definitive but certain venomous snake’s tail can help in easy identification. Certain snakes like rattlesnakes possess button-like rattles that can be found at the end of their tail.
They make use of this feature at the end of their tail to produce warning sounds. Also, the brightly colored pattern on their tails can be a visual warning to potential preys.
9. Pay Attention to Defensive Postures
When venomous snakes are threatened, they assume some defensive postures to get rid of potential threats.
These postures include raising their heads and upper bodies off the ground, flattening their bodies to make it look larger or making their tails vibrate as a warning signal.
Non-venomous snakes may exhibit these characters but it is not as intense as that of venomous snakes.
10. Seek Professional Assistance
If you come in contact with a snake and you are not sure if its venomous or not, it is advisable to exercise caution and seek assistance from trained professionals who know how to differentiate them.
11. Practice Caution and Respect
It is very important to exercise caution when you come in contact with snakes. Try to avoid unnecessary risk or provocation that may make the snake defensive.
By ensuring that you get familiar with these snake identification efforts, this can help enhance your ability to recognize snakes that are venomous. This will help you stay informed and protected.