There are more than one hundred species of snakes in North America. Of those, about one quarter are venomous. While odds are good that the snake you’ve just seen on the trail is likely harmless, knowing quick ways to identify venomous snakes can be an important outdoor survival skill. Here are some simple tips to help you identify venomous snakes.
Some venomous snakes are easy to spot. Rattlesnakes — for example — are identified by their namesake hollow rattles at the tips of their tails. Watch out for copycats, though. Some harmless snakes will vibrate their tail in the underbrush to mimic the sound of their more dangerous counterparts.
The Head
Look at the shape of the head. Venomous snakes tend to have a larger head with a broad, triangular shape and more slender neck. They also will have a pointier snout. Non-venomous snakes have a more rounded head and nose. The head is more in proportion to the rest of the body.
Related articles: Snake Bites: What to Do & Not to Do on the Trail & Treating a Rattlesnake Bite
The Eyes
Another quick way to identify venomous snakes is to look at the eyes. Harmless snakes have round pupils while the ones you want to stay away from have elongated, or cat’s-eye pupil. Look for a depression — or pit — between the eyes and nose. This is a heat sensor found on some venomous snakes that the non-venomous type do not have.
The Color
Besides rattlesnakes, other slinky suspects to watch out for are cottonmouths and copperheads. Also known as water moccasins, cottonmouths can range in color from green to black. They also sport a distinctive white stripe running down the side of their head. As their nickname would suggest, they prefer to be in or near the water but can also be found on dry land.
Copperheads share their wide-bodied shape and mottled patterns with cottonmouths but are more brightly colored, appearing peachy or bright orange, coppery brown, or even a silvery pink in color. The young of both species have bright yellow tails that fade as they grow.
Coral snakes are among the simplest to spot but for one thing: They look almost identical to the harmless scarlet king snake. Fortunately, a simple rhyme can help you tell the difference. Memorize “red meets black, friend of Jack, red meets yellow, kill a fellow” to remember the difference between these two brightly striped species.
Knowing what snakes frequent the area in which you hike or camp is a great weapon to have in your outdoor arsenal. Use these quick ways to identify venomous snakes to help you avoid unnecessary scares, or unpleasant trips to the hospital.
Featured Image from Duncan Sanchez/Unsplash
