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Whether you’re walking on a park trail or hiking in the woods, it’s exciting to snake in the wild. It could be a small one sliding through a pile of leaves on its way back to its burrow. Or maybe it’s a large one perched on a rock or taking a dip in the water of a nearby creek. Chances are, when you see a snake, the first thing you wonder is what kind of snake it is. The second thing: is it poisonous? Find out some facts about distinguishing venomous snakes from non-venomous snakes. In particular, you will learn about the features that can help you identify: poisonous snakes.
What is the color of the snake?
Colors can be helpful in identifying a venomous snake. Many venomous snakes are brightly colored. This is one of those facts that applies to many types of animals, including: frogs and insects. Brightly colored scales are a warning to predators that reptile is poisonous. This is a matter of survival for this animal.
An example is the Blue Malaysian coral snake. It has dark blue or black scales with white stripes. Both the head and tail are bright red. This is a small reptile from the southeast Asia. It’s so poisonous that a human can die within five minutes of being bitten.
A second colorful and poisonous reptile is the green forest viper from the western and central part of Africa. As the name implies, this snake has bright green to yellowish scales. They live in trees that grow in tropical forests. Their venom is very potent and can cause the death of a human if an antidote is not given right away.
The tree snake is another venomous African reptile. These slithering reptiles have a green and yellow pattern of scales. They are arboreal in the wild and usually try to stay out of sight. One of the most interesting facts about the tree snake is that, despite being venomous, it has a reputation for being a passive, shy reptile. The bite can cause internal bleeding and tissue and organ damage. antidote is necessary for the survival of anyone who gets a bite from a tree snake.
What is mimicry in the world of venomous snakes?
When it comes to venomous snakes, mimicry is an important point to consider. Mimicry is when a non-venomous snake adapts a color or pattern that resembles a venomous snake.
An example is the scarlet kingsnake. A non-venomous scarlet kingsnake has a pattern of red, black, and yellow bands of scales. Its appearance is very similar to the venomous eastern coral snake. An eastern coral snake has alternating bands of red, yellow, and black. There are differences between these two reptiles, but at first glance they look a lot alike.
Other examples of mimicry in these reptiles:
- Indian wolf snake mimics the common krait. after
- Indian rat snake mimics the Indian cobra
There are both pros and cons to a non-venomous reptile mimicking the colors of a venomous one in the wild. One advantage is that a predator sees the bright colors of a non-venomous reptile and moves away from it thinking it is poisonous. Avoiding predator attacks can certainly help a non-venomous reptile survive. Alternatively, a non-venomous snake that resembles a venomous one can be killed by a human who believes it has encountered a dangerous snake.
What is the shape of the snake’s head?
A triangular head is a sign that a snake is venomous. Compare the size of his head to his neck and you will see a remarkable difference in width. The copperhead is a good example of one with a triangular head.
What kind of eyes does the snake have?
Watching a snake’s eyes in its triangular head can aid in the identification process. A snake with slit-like, vertical pupils is likely venomous. Cave vipers are venomous and have eyes with vertical pupils. The Gaboon viper, the long-nosed viper, and the fer-de-lance are three of the many pit viper species. While the rule about the vertical pupils of this reptile is correct in many cases, there are exceptions to the rule.
As mentioned, the eastern coral snake is a venomous reptile in North America. However, the eyes are round in shape without a vertical pupil. This exception highlights why it is so important to consider all the characteristics of a venomous reptile and not just one or two.
Can venomous snakes bite without releasing their venom?
Yes, a venomous snake can give a human or other animal something called a dry bite. This is a bite that contains no poison. The animal does this as a warning of the threat to leave the area.
Remember that a person cannot determine whether he has received a dry or a poisonous bite. So going to a medical facility is critical to get treatment if needed.
Are venomous snakes always big?
New. Some venomous snakes are very large, while others are very small. An eastern coral snake is one of the most venomous in North America. As an adult, it is only 18 to 30 inches tall. This species is different from the venomous aquatic coral snake that lives in South America. It lives in water and can grow to a length of 40 inches.
Alternatively, an adult bull snake has a thick body that can grow up to 72 inches in length. Even baby bull snakes are 18 inches long! But despite their large size, they are not poisonous. In other words, don’t judge this reptile by its size. Some of the smallest snakes have a very dangerous bite!
What Are Some Venomous Snakes In North America?
Although many species of poisonous reptiles live in Africa, Australia, or South America, some live in North America also.
the oriental diamondback rattlesnake is the largest venomous snake in North America. It weighs about 30 pounds and can grow up to six feet in length! Of course, this reptile uses its rattle as a warning to both animals and humans to stay away. However, if it bites, it has an inch long fangs and a potent venom that can be fatal to a person.
The Copperhead is another venomous snake of North America. It’s a pit viper. This means that it has a pit on each side of its head that it uses to sense the heat of warm-blooded prey. Fortunately, although this reptile’s bite is painful, it is usually not fatal to a person.
Yellow-bellied sea snakes are often seen in the Pacific near Washington State, California, and along the coastline. Although they live in water and are rarely seen, they have a potent venom. A small dose of its venom is enough to kill a human.
A mature wood rattlesnake is about ten pounds and reaches a length of up to three feet. It has a quick hit that contains a large dose of venom.
What to do if you encounter a poisonous snake?
Now that you have some guidance on identifying venomous reptiles, what do you do when you come across one? The first thing to do is give this slippery reptile plenty of room. By keeping a distance, the animal will feel less threatened. You’ll probably feel more comfortable too!
Keep your distance, even if the snake appears to be a baby. A baby snake can be just as venomous as an adult.
Be aware of your surroundings. Some of these reptiles like to spend time in tall grass or weeds. So, if you can’t see where you’re stepping, go slow and be careful. If a snake hears or feels the vibrations of people moving through their area, they will likely seek shelter to avoid an encounter.
If you see a baby or adult venomous or non-venomous snake on a path or near a road, do not attempt to move it. You may think you are doing a good deed, but these reptiles have their own territory. They can get lost or confused if moved out of their territory. The snake is probably in that location for a reason, so it’s best to leave it alone.
Keep in mind that if the reptile is in any danger of being hit by a car or possibly injured, call a local wildlife rescue organization. This type of organization has professionals who know how to handle a snake without being bitten or harming the reptile.
It’s always a good idea to wear hiking boots or thick-soled shoes when going out to spend time in the woods. So if you accidentally step on a reptile, your foot will be protected from a possible bite.
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