Do you want to know how to how to tell if a snake is poisonous? Read further and get tips to identify/know whether a snake is venomous.

How To Tell If A Snake Is Poisonous

Snakes are undoubtedly one of the most venomous creatures on the planet, but also one of the most amazing creatures as well. These reptiles essentially maintain the ecological balance of nature and there are about 2,700 species of snakes on Earth. If you live in the countryside, there is all the possibility that you will encounter a snake in your life, at some point of time or the other. Though it is advisable to stay away from snakes, you can observe them from a distance and ascertain whether they are poisonous or not. It is not too easy telling a poisonous snake from a non-poisonous one, but then, it is not that difficult also. Some of the most poisonous snakes in the world include rattlesnakes, Death Adders, vipers, Philippine cobras, tiger snakes, Black Mambas, Taipans, Blue Kraits, Eastern Brown snakes and Inland Taipans. It is very vital to learn about which snakes are poisonous so that you can take the right precautions when the time comes. In case you are looking for some tips to know whether a snake is venomous or not, this article is just perfect for you. Read on and know how identify a poisonous snake.
 

 

How to Tell If a Snake is Poisonous

 
  • Look at the pupil of his eye. The snakes that are not poisonous will have a round pupil.
  • It has been seen that non-venomous snakes are of a single color only and will rarely have a combination of colors.
  • The snakes that are poisonous usually have an elliptical pupil, like the eye of a cat, which gives the impression of a small slit in the middle of the eye. Except for the coral snakes, all other poisonous snakes in the world have slit eyes.
  • If you see a snake that has stripes all the way, from head to tail, it will most probably be a non-poisonous snake.
  • One very important way of determining if the snake is venomous or not, is by checking the shape of its head. The snakes that have a spoon-shaped round head are non-venomous, while those with a flat head are venomous. Watch out for snakes with triangle-shaped heads or arrow-heads as these are deadly snakes.
  • A rattlesnake is the one that has a rattle on its tail and it is definitely poisonous. The rattle shake sounds are basically warning devices to drive away other creatures.
  • A cottonmouth snake has a pointed snout and these are very poisonous.
  • Poisonous snakes have a small depression between the eye and the nostril, known as a pit.
  • Another way of finding out is by looking at the bottom of a snake’s tail. If the pattern of the lines on a snake’s tail area does not change, then the snake is poisonous.
  • In case of water snakes, the ones that have most of the body floating over water are surely venomous.
  • Coral snake is another beautiful but deadly snake. They look similar to the King snake which is non-venomous. Coral Snakes have a distinctive coloring, though, with a black, yellow and red bands, a yellow head, and a black band over their nose.
  • Browse the internet and search about all the snakes in your area. This way, you will know all about the structure of all the poisonous ones and will be able to identify them easily.
 
So, here are some of the common ways of determining if a snake is poisonous or not. If you still happen to see a snake and you are unable to determine if the snake is poisonous or not, the best option is to stay away from it and inform the local authorities. Snakes are a vital part of the environment as these creatures balance the ecosystem. These reptiles help to maintain a pest-free environment by feeding on rodents especially rats and mice.

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