There are many different snake species in the United States. Out of 150 snake species in North America, 90% are non-venomous. That said, the other 10% can be found in various habitats, making it important that you are aware of them.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes yearly. About 5 of those people end up dying.[1]
Examples of venomous snakes in North America include rattlesnakes, water moccasins, pit vipers, coral snakes, and more. Each species of snake will have their own distinguishing characteristics. That being said, all venomous snakes share some similarities that make it easy to identify them.
You can identify most venomous snakes by looking at their head shape, coloring, eyes, and underbelly. The only exception is the coral snake, which mimics many of the same characteristics of a harmless snake called the king snake.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is the difference between venomous and poisonous
- Types of venomous snakes in the United States
- How to identify a venomous snake
What is the Difference Between Poisonous and Venomous?
You might hear people use the terms poisonous and venomous interchangeably to the same thing, they have different definitions.
Poison is a toxin that gets into your body from inhaling, swallowing, or absorbing a substance through your skin. On the other hand, venom is a toxin that gets into your system after it has been injected through a bite or a sting. Snakes use their fangs to inject their venom, which means they are venomous rather than poisonous.
The only exception to this rule is the garter snake. They like to eat animals like salamanders and newts, which can be poisonous. If a garter snake consumes enough of this poison, they could pass it along to another animal or human.
That said, it is unlikely that you will eat a garter snake, so there is little concern that you will be poisoned by one.
Types of Venomous Snakes Found in North America
There are a few different types of venomous snakes that call the United States home. Knowing about the different species can help prepare you for coming into contact with one.
The main types of venomous snakes found in America include:
- Rattlesnakes – Rattlesnakes are the largest and longest venomous snakes found in North America. There are different types of rattlesnakes, with the Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake being the biggest. They are easy to identify by the rattling sound their tail makes when they shake it.
- Copperheads – Copperheads vary in color from golden or tan to reddish and dark brown. The colored bands on their bodies tend to be shaped like an hourglass. Most adult copperheads range from 18 to 36 inches long.
- Coral Snakes – Coral snakes are often confused with king snakes because they look so similar. That said, you can identify a coral snake by the rhyme “red touches yellow, kills a fellow”, as coral snakes have red, yellow, and black bands.
- Cottonmouths/Water Moccasins – Cottonmouths or water moccasins are dark brown or black snakes that are often found near or in water. Juveniles will have a yellow tail.
How to Tell if a Snake is Venomous
Snakes bite when they feel threatened. If you get too close to a venomous snake, they might attempt to inject you with their potent venom. Knowing how to identify a venomous snake will help you recognize when it’s necessary to keep some distance.
Venomous snakes tend to share similar characteristics, including:
Head Shape
Venomous snakes in North America tend to have a similar head shape. Non-venomous snakes tend to have a round head, while venomous snakes have a triangular head. Sometimes, non-venomous snakes will try to mimic the head shape to protect themselves by flattening their heads on the ground.
Venomous snakes like pit vipers, rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, and copperheads have two holes in their head. These holes allow them to use infrared to detect their prey. If a snake is venomous, you will also notice that they have fangs in their mouth.
Most venomous snakes also have smaller headscales than non-venomous snakes.
Color
Coloring might seem like the easiest way to identify a snake. If you know the coloring of each species of snake, you might be able to identify them from a safe distance away. However, there are so many species of snakes that it would be difficult to know what they all look like.
Even though many venomous snakes have distinct colors and patterns, some of them mimic the coloring of non-venomous snakes. For example, the coral snake is venomous but looks a lot like its less threatening companion, the king snake. That said, you should use other forms of identification instead of looking at coloring.
Eyes
Most venomous snakes in North America have very distinct eyes. They tend to have vertical pupils or slitted eyes, making them appear a bit scarier. Non-venomous snakes have rounded eyes.
The only exception to this rule is the coral snake. Instead of eyes similar to a cat’s, they have the rounded eyes that most non-venomous snakes have.
Underbelly
Venomous snakes often have a distinctive underbelly that can help you identify them. Typically, a venomous snake will have a single row of scales that leads to their anal plate. Non-venomous snakes usually have a double row of scales.
It is also common for venomous snakes to have larger belly scales than their less intimidating counterparts.
Get Connected to a Snake Removal Company
If you or a loved one has a snake on your property, it’s best to call a professional. Even if you are confident in your snake identification abilities, you don’t want to get bitten while trying to remove them. Instead, allow Nuisance Wildlife Rangers to help you solve the problem.
Contact us today for more information on our snake removal services.
References:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Venomous snakes