by Kynsay Hunt

 

Venomous snakes are thought to be in every US state except Alaska.  Keeping this in mind, we must be very alert when out and about, especially with small children and pets.  So, how do you tell a venomous snake from a non-venomous snake?  A venomous pit-viper generally has a triangular head, cat-like/vertical slit pupils and heat-sensing pits located between the eyes and nostrils.  Pit-vipers found in the US are Copperheads, Cottonmouths and Rattlesnakes.  Although it is not a pit-viper, the venomous Coral Snake is also found in the US.
CORAL SNAKE
The Eastern Coral Snake is a highly venomous snake found in densely wooded or sandy/marshy areas in the southeastern United States (mostly found in regions near North Carolina and from Florida to the Mississippi River.) There are often delayed symptoms from the bite of the Coral Snake, and often no swelling either. The Coral Snake is a feared predator, and many snakes copycat it’s pattern to scare other animals off. Remember this rhyme if you’re ever unsure about which snake it is; “Red and yellow, kill a fellow; red and black, friend of Jack.” (This rhyme holds true of coral snakes found in the US.)

The Texas Coral Snake is found mostly under large boards and stones in southeastern Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and western Mississippi. The Texas Coral Snake and the eastern Coral Snake are very similar in looks and behavior. Bites from the Texas Coral Snake are rare because of the snake’s reclusive and non-aggressive behavior.

Arizona Coral Snakes are generally found in Arizona and are also called the “western coral snake.”  This snake is only 13-20 inches long and has little venom, though deadly poisonous.  This snake is also nocturnal and non-aggressive.

(Photo credit: The original uploader was Dawson [CC BY SA 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons)

COPPERHEAD SNAKE
The length of an average Copperhead is 30 inches.  Their head is unmarked and copper-colored.  Chestnut-brown cross bands are seen on their reddish-brown, coppery bodies. They are most active April through late November and nocturnal during the summer. Copperheads prefer rocky or tree covered areas near fresh water, but can also be seen around wetlands.  They also love rotten or abandoned wood and sawdust piles.

Newborn Copperheads have fully functional fangs and can deliver the same blow as an adult Copperhead.  Their lifespan is 18 years.

There are five different known subspecies of copperheads; Northern, Broad-Banded, Trans-Pecos, Osage, and Southern. See map for the approximate range of this species.

Courtesy Facebook

COTTONMOUTH SNAKE
Named for the inside of the mouth appearing white like cotton, there are three different kinds of cottonmouths found in the United States. The Eastern Cottonmouth is found in a large range of southern states. These states include: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. It is dark olive, brown, or black in color and usually has dark brown bands around it‘s back and sides. There is a stripe on either side of this snake’s head that starts at the eye and goes backwards.

The Eastern Cottonmouth’s stripe isn‘t nearly as defined as those found on the Florida Cottonmouth. The Floridian variation of the Cottonmouth is found in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. One can find the Western Cottonmouth in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. All three variations are better known as a “water moccasin.”

(Photo credit: Snake By Geoff Gallice from Gainesville [CC BY SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons; Map By Jwinius (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons)

RATTLESNAKE

 

 

 

 

 

There are currently 31 different subspecies of rattlesnakes. Most live in open, rocky areas, however, they can also be found in forests, prairies, marshes and deserts.  Though they take cover under rocks and logs, they love to sun themselves in open areas or even in the middle of a hiking trail.  Below are the descriptions of the two most common rattlesnake variations.

Timber Rattlesnake: Eastern US

  • wide head and narrow neck
  • light yellow, heavy yellow, gray, or green/white body
  • rust colored stripe along length of back
  • yellowish cat-eye like eyes

Prairie Rattlesnake: Western US

  • wide head and narrow neck
  • light brown to green body
  • dark spots outlined with a lighter shade of brown along body
  • cat-like eyes

(Photo credit: Timber Rattlesnake pic: (By Tad Arensmeier from St. Louis, MO, USA [CC BY SA 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons; Rattlesnake map by Myra Klockenbrink)