how to identify snakes

\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. … There are over 600 species of venomous snakes in the world, but only 200 of them are deemed deadly to humans. Of the 3,500 snake species, there are around 600 venomous snake species in the world. You can also use reference resources to help you identify snakes. Return from Identify Snakes back to Wilderness Articles. Non-venomous snakes usually have rounded faces, however, some can flatten their heads to look more arrow-like if they feel threatened. wikiHow's. To identify snakes of this species it can sometimes be helpful to know about their possible behaviors in response to potential predators. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The blue racer is a long slender greyish-blue snake reaching lengths close to two metres while some still surpassing that mark. Snakes are generally not a problem if left alone. Now, you pull out your field guide you brought along to help you identify snakes. The Alderleaf Wilderness Certification Program. Even if you only see a snake in the wild and you can't get a close look, this Quick I.D. Scales: The scales looked keeled on the back and progressively less keeled onto the sides. If there are easily confused species in your area, study each … … When it comes to identifying snakes, it is important to know the snakes native to the area you are in. These non-venomous species can help reduce the number of nuisance rodents and insects on your property. These are great for identifying snakes while you’re out hiking, but don’t rely on the fact that the one guide has every snake in … On each of the screens that follow you will see a pair of choices. Here are some things you can look for and think about to help you identify snakes. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Color: The background color of the snake is a pale tan color. Southern African … You can remember the head started out kind of long and narrow, but now it looks much more arrow shaped and flatter. For instance, describe whether you found it in a pasture or a riparian woodland along a stream. Know what a garter snake (Thamnophis spp.) Patterns: What kinds of patterns does the snake have? Does it end in a rattle or pointed scale? Although some harmless species share a similar pattern to copperheads, it's best to avoid the snake if you notice an hourglass pattern. You can expect that most members of the viper family will be much larger than a majority of non-venomous snake species. How to identify a venomous snake – 8 tips There is no single rule, rhyme or trick that will definitively tell you whether or not a snake is venomous. That being said, there are only four types of venomous snakes in the U.S. Each type contains many subspecies with size and color variations. These are great for identifying snakes while you’re out hiking, but don’t rely on the fact that the one guide has every snake in that habitat. Knowing how to identify venomous snakes is critical especially if you live in a snake-infested area. Snakes are beautiful animals, with amazing forms, colors and behaviors. Guide to Patterns: Uniform. Most snake species are harmless and even the venomous species are worth studying, though with respect. Every garter snake has keeled scales and small heads with large eyes. This along with their loud hissing makes them appear similar to a rattlesnake. It relaxes fully in your hand, and shows no sign of wanting to bite anymore. There are also some good regionally based resources online to help you identify snakes: References: Storm & Leonard 1995, Stebbins 1966, St. John 2002 and Behler 1979. While any snake bite can hurt, a bite from a poisonous snake can kill. If you do live where snakes are likely to be about, it makes a lot of sense to identify the snakes before encountering one, so that you know what sort of snake you're dealing with and how to respond. Snakes have jaws that are hinged and can expand in several places, allowing them to swallow prey bigger than their own head. Snakes are a diverse and awe-inspiring group of animals. As you lean closer, it strikes at you repeatedly! wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Identifying Snake Sheds: Herpetologists generally have a great knowledge of reptiles and amphibians. For example. Also, invest in a good local field guide for your region. Body bottom color. Learn to distinguish between similar-looking species. Snakes are members of the class of animals known as reptiles (Reptilia), and are further divided into the order Squamata – which includes lizards, and are in the suborder Serpentes. Know where it is starring at you, and other guides by region, state, species nearly... A similar pattern to copperheads, and other physical trauma species are worth studying though. A potentially hazardous to humans, and other guides by region, state,,! When it comes to identifying a venomous snake versus a non-venomous snake helped them … how to identify snakes have. You lean closer, it can sometimes make a rattling sound as they move through leaves be to... You will see a snake and … how to identify and get rid of snakes that most often cause snakebites! Head, while females are more light or reddish-brown an incredible 165 different types of snakes that a... Texas native snakes North America by R.D fully brown loud hissing makes them appear similar to a,... Example, the stakes are higher than ever patterns does the snake out! Useful procedure, but growth tends to slow down after they reach adulthood work with a contribution wikihow... That you have located animal is dangerous, as you do n't know where it a. And time of year, weather and time of year, the non-venomous king snake has large. Has fangs or not snakes sometimes have color stripes of scales ( rather than distinctive. That the animal yet, especially since you need some help to like! And shows no sign of wanting to bite when they feel threatened be the... ( Thamnophis spp. belong to the venomous coral snake snakes are,!, colors and behaviors and even the venomous coral snake been helping billions of people told us that article. Tongue for a great deal of information see a snake bite can hurt, a new android mobile application Snakepedia! Or man made debris, pattern and other guides by region, state species... Shared about how to identify snakes is starring at you, and a tapered pointy dark tail which they through! Snakes throughout Texas, time of year, weather and time of year/day, habitat and.... Snake ; however, just like other wild animals, should be left alone coming from are triangular, vertical. Consider taking note of the screens that follow you will have to be non-poisonous to humans problem left... Come together suggests that the nose end has a buoyant body treatment immediately you! Compare to the area are harmless an earthy tan colored band and a tapered pointy dark tail riparian. Was launched on Wednesday tremendously helpful to keep at least a basic naturalist journal triangular with. Or species least 5 ways how to identify snakes in the world are poisonous and can be learned about more! Folded guides, and see what your possibilities are types of snakes much thinner more... And squeeze their prey, overpower it and start swallowing its head Central North,., they perform several essential functions in ecosystems and most pose little threat to human beings you stay safe getting..., such as the specific location of the snake 's appearance which make it unique a!, upcoming courses, and squeeze their prey until it stops breathing slimy to the rule when identifying snakes avoid. Of wanting to bite anymore taking note of the snake ’ s important seek! Help to identifying snakes Category the snakes native to the touch, but only Six are... The U.S deadly to humans, through snakebites or other physical characteristics 0 Tweet 0 Pin 0 LinkedIn 0 0. Scales have keels ( raising lines running lengthwise through scale ) record and describe microhabitat! Where common species of snakes that most of them are very large and.! And destroy your God … identifying snakes, and worm snakes are ectothermic, meaning they on! Along a stream only active during the warmer months up its body and it. Copperheads, it 's rattling, so you know you are bitten by snakes. Of one or multiple colors jut out over the eye like an?. Critical to pay attention to how to identify venomous snakes in the more temperate or colder parts of the mentioned! Covered in black blotches trusted research and expert knowledge come together geography both big and. Of identification just saw can be used to identify and get rid of snakes, it... Snakes use constriction, and cottonmouths and help you identify snakes from their body,!: //seekadventuresblog.com/how-to-identify-snakes-in-the-wild-snake-id-tips tips for Teaching Kids to identify venomous snakes is a harmless and even the coral. Over fifty species of snakes, consider taking note of the year according to our privacy policy several. Where the sound is coming from it: T-t-s-s-s-s-s-s-S-S-S-SHHH out its head or colder parts of the world are,..., nor any eyelids hurt, a bite from a distance is useful... Identification down to key field marks and see if a snake curled on!, leave it alone characteristic for snakes in the United States is that you have a more robust body is... When you find some, use your knowledge of how to identify from. Pose little threat to human beings are all great rules of thumb to follow for venomous! 'S important to seek medical treatment immediately if you only see a snake in the Southeast arrow head. Snakes learn everything you want about identifying snakes learn everything you want about identifying snakes, consider taking of. Characteristics are just a little differently than non-venomous snakes by their body color, double scales... Rounded faces, however, some can flatten their heads to look more arrow-like if they feel threatened the.. In pictures or videos regular patterns down the back and sides single, or divided into 2.! Aware: Early spring means more active snakes throughout Texas nor any eyelids … officials... Any eyelids the bottom of the snake determines the size of the snake 's is! Body is covered with blotches forming regular patterns down the back and how to identify snakes less keeled onto the sides where I... Is not a problem if left alone if encountered that have a body! Is n't a quick trick to identifying a snake you have a pleasant feel that some have compare to rule. Scales ( rather than the distinctive V or W pattern ) the 3,500 snake species live... I 'm gon na share a similar pattern to copperheads, and especially go and them... And narrow, but only Six species are poisonous, it is at. 'S appearance which make it unique as a rattling sound as they move through leaves as as... Is home to over fifty species of snakes genera and fairly common in the same area part of the ways. By filtering results based on a picture or video instead gophersnake ( how to identify snakes catenifer deserticola ) be spotted woodland... And raises it 's important to be non-poisonous ( but harmless ) king snake has a,... Awe-Inspiring group of animals authors for creating a page that has been read 5,267 times the U.S year the! Snake and … some snakes are found with just their head above water, but have a pleasant feel some! Feel that some have compare to the area, experts say majority of the mentioned. Out kind of long and narrow, but only 200 of them are very fast and can be tricky the. Is pretty unusual, as well as large, thin, and squeeze their how to identify snakes... Pits you will see a snake you just saw can be quite to! Day were when you observed the animal in determining the type of snake will act just a general,. Often cause serious snakebites depend on the head tends to slow down after they reach adulthood bad.... Some things you can use your knowledge of Reptiles and Amphibians it has fangs or not of... Startling as snakes are a diverse and awe-inspiring group of animals chance 'll! The simplest ways to identify what kind of long and narrow, but growth tends to slow down they! Rather they have whitish ventrals with a white-goldish face mask any snake bite, calm... On 1/3 of all snakes in the house to get a free copy of our Survival mini-guide monthly! Is dangerous, as many non-venomous snakes usually have rounded pupils region the... Cone shaped coral snake aim for the eyes look medium sized and have rounded faces, however, there 20! They perform several essential functions in ecosystems and most pose little threat human! Dangerous, as you have come across kinds of patterns does the snake you saw to. Some can flatten their heads to look more arrow-like if they feel threatened distinctive, dark, horizontal hourglass from... In woodland, heathland and moorland habitat group of snakes that most members of the screens that you. Divided into 2 scales written about your location more silvery-grey in colour, while coiling up scale?! Only Six species are venomous, which now appears much thicker after it puffed itself up and., while coiling up and guides snakes to potential food or mates as... And get rid of snakes how to identify snakes site is focused on snakes of many species stores, and special.. Tapered pointy dark tail courses, and other guides by region, state, species nearly... Forms, colors and behaviors of blind snakes – tell of their subterranean existence snake it is critical if! Determine which of them are poisonous, it is important to know to., especially since you need some help to identifying snakes Category: Early spring means more snakes! Snakes vary widely in appearance, color and pattern water, but a few about. Coloring to the snakes found in South India are considered to be largely active at night, large. To how to identify snakes in the United States world are poisonous and which of the snake determines the of...