Buzz
Encountering a snake unexpectedly in the wilderness can be terrifying, especially when you're unsure of which species it belongs to. A venomous snake bite can be deadly. The best way to determine if the snake is venomous is by researching the species that inhabit your area. You can also look for key characteristics of common venomous snakes. If bitten by any snake, seek medical attention immediately.
Steps
Identify Common Venomous Snake Species
Examine the triangular shape of the snake's head to identify a viper. In the United States, the most common venomous snakes are pit vipers. These snakes have large, triangular heads, widest at the back, much broader than the neck. They also feature a depression on their faces between the eyes and nostrils to sense heat, helping them locate prey. To identify a viper, look for features such as a triangular-shaped head, a facial depression, and vertically slit pupils like a cat's eye.
- Pit vipers are found in Europe, Asia, Africa, and throughout the Americas.
- In North America, pit vipers include several species of rattlesnakes and the cottonmouth, also known as the water moccasin.
Warning: Not all snakes with triangular heads are venomous, and there are many venomous snakes with small heads and round pupils. Do not rely solely on these characteristics to identify a venomous snake!
Identify rattlesnakes by their tail rattles or knobs. Rattlesnakes belong to the pit viper family and are the most common venomous snakes in the Americas. In addition to their triangular head and thick body, the most distinctive feature of rattlesnakes is the rattle at the tip of their tail. Some may only have one knob (a segment of rattle) at the tail's end or a shortened tail if the rattle is missing.
- You should also learn about the colors and patterns of different rattlesnake species. For example, the diamondback rattlesnake, as the name suggests, has a diamond-shaped pattern running down its back.
Identify coral snakes by their distinctive colors. Coral snakes are venomous, brightly colored snakes found in the Americas and parts of Asia and the Pacific. Unlike pit vipers, coral snakes are small with slightly round heads and round pupils. Although the colors and patterns of coral snakes can vary, you can usually identify them by their striking red, yellow, and black bands.
- A rhyme from the southeastern United States says, “Red next to yellow, kills a fellow. Red next to black, friend of Jack.” This mnemonic helps distinguish between venomous coral snakes and harmless kingsnakes, as kingsnakes lack adjacent red and yellow bands.
- However, some non-venomous species also have red and yellow bands together, so this rhyme is not always accurate.
Look for the blue-black mouth of a black mamba. If you live in or visit sub-Saharan Africa, you may encounter the highly venomous black mamba. This snake can grow up to 4.3 meters and is usually olive or gray in color. You can identify a black mamba by the distinctive blue-black interior of its mouth, which it will display if it feels threatened or frightened.
- Black mambas are related to cobras and exhibit similar behavior when threatened. If cornered, a black mamba may raise its head and flare the skin around its neck.
- Like coral snakes and cobras, black mambas belong to the elapid family, not the viper family. They have small heads and round pupils.
Pay attention to the hood of a cobra to identify it. This notorious venomous snake is found in various regions of Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. The most notable characteristic of cobras is the hood that expands around their head and neck when they feel threatened, often accompanied by a hissing sound. Some cobras can even spit venom at their attackers.
- You may also recognize certain species of cobras by their distinct patterns. For example, the Indian cobra has a pair of "false eyes" on the back of its hood that resemble eyeglasses.
Learn about venomous snakes in your area. Venomous snakes can be found around the world, and it's important to understand that there isn't just one characteristic to identify them. The best way to spot venomous snakes is by considering their physical traits, behavior, and habitat. You can research online or consult local reptile guides to identify venomous species that live in your area.
- For example, if you reside in Oregon, USA, the only venomous snake you’re likely to encounter is the western rattlesnake.
- Similarly, there’s no single characteristic that indicates a non-venomous snake. To recognize harmless snakes, you can consult reptile guides to learn about the species in your region and their unique features.
Learn to distinguish between snakes that look alike. Some harmless snakes can be quite similar in appearance to venomous ones, making identification tricky. If your area has species that might be confusing, it's crucial to research each one and understand their distinguishing features.
- For instance, the water moccasin is often mistaken for a harmless water snake. The difference lies in the shape of their head and body: water moccasins have thick bodies and triangular heads, while water snakes have slender bodies and small heads.
- People sometimes confuse rat snakes (a non-venomous species) with rattlesnakes because they share similar colors and aggressive behavior. However, unlike rattlesnakes, rat snakes have pointed tails and do not possess rattles.
Take photos of any snakes you encounter to compare later. If you come across a snake and are unsure of its species, try to capture a photo using your phone or camera. This way, you can show it to an expert or use it as a reference to identify the snake based on its features.
- Don’t risk your safety by trying to take a close-up shot! Always take pictures from a distance if possible.
- If you don't have a photo to compare, you can use Google Image Search to find images of similar snakes. For example, if you type "black with yellow collar snake in Pennsylvania," you might find pictures of the Northern ring-necked snake.
Identifying the symptoms of a snake bite
Seek immediate medical attention if you are bitten by a snake. If bitten by any snake—even if you believe it’s non-venomous—go to the emergency room or call emergency services right away. Even bites from non-venomous snakes can be dangerous if not treated.
- While waiting for help, wash the wound with soap and water if you can, and keep the bitten area elevated above the level of your heart. Remove any tight clothing, jewelry, or watches that may constrict the wound and cause swelling.
Monitor for severe symptoms to determine if the snakebite is from a venomous species. After being bitten by a snake, keep a close eye on any symptoms that develop. Inform emergency staff or doctors about these symptoms so they can identify the type of venom and the necessary treatment. Symptoms of a venomous snakebite include:
- Severe pain, redness, swelling, or bruising around the bite
- Numbness around the face or mouth
- Difficulty breathing
- Rapid heart rate
- Weakness
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Fever
- Seizures
Warning: While two fang marks are a common sign of venomous snake bites, not all snakes inject venom this way. Don’t rely solely on the appearance of the bite to determine if the snake was venomous.
Watch for mild symptoms like itching, swelling, and pain from a non-venomous snake bite. If bitten by a non-venomous snake, the symptoms are usually mild. However, it's still important to visit a doctor for a check-up. Any snakebite, regardless of venom, can lead to severe infections if untreated, and some individuals may be allergic to the snake's saliva. Symptoms of a non-venomous snakebite include:
- Pain at the bite site
- Redness and slight swelling
- Bleeding from the wound
- Itching around the bite area
Advice
- You may have heard that most snakes are venomous, but this isn’t true. In fact, only about 15% of snake species worldwide pose a threat to humans. While it's wise to treat all snakes as potentially venomous, don't automatically assume every snake you encounter is dangerous.
- Do not kill a snake unless it’s posing a direct threat to you. Snakes play an important role in controlling rodent populations and other pests that can spread diseases to humans.
- If you plan to catch a snake, a safe option is to set a snake trap.
- If you're unsure whether a snake you see is venomous, always assume it is and stay at a safe distance!
- Avoid walking through tall grass if you're unsure if there might be a snake hidden there.
- When handling a spitting cobra, make sure to wash all clothing, camera lenses, and equipment thoroughly afterward. Wearing sunglasses or protective goggles can prevent venom from getting into your eyes.
- If you're bitten by a venomous snake, try to identify it! One effective way to do this is to safely take a clear photo from a distance. Identifying the snake could save your life by helping medical professionals choose the correct antivenom.
Warning
- Even a bite from a non-venomous snake can become infected. You should always seek medical attention and try to identify the snake that bit you.
- Victims can die if they don't receive prompt medical care after being bitten by a venomous snake.
- Never attempt to handle a wild snake. If you're sure it's non-venomous and insist on picking it up, do so gently, without appearing threatening. A snake hook is a very useful tool when used properly.
- Never attempt to handle a snake that is hissing, rattling its tail, raising its head, or forming an S-shaped coil, or one that is spitting venom. These are signs the snake is warning you to stay away, and if you don’t, it will attack.
