How To Recognize the Difference Between Poisonous and Non-Poisonous Snakes
For new snake hobbyists, one of the essential learning points is recognizing what venomous snakes look like. How can you tell poisonous and non-poisonous snakes apart? There are several different ways to make the distinction. Complicating matters somewhat is the fact that some types of non-poisonous snakes have evolved so that they resemble the venomous snakes.
A good rule of thumb is do not take any chances. You should error on the side of caution if you are not sure. As a general rule, poisonous snakes have heads shaped a little like a diamond or even a triangle. The harmless counterparts have rounded heads.
Additionally, the dangerous ones have eyes that are the shape of an ellipse. This is similar to a cat’s eye as opposed to being round. You may have heard or seen Pit vipers before. They have a characteristic pit between their eyes and the mouth. This pit is an organ that senses heat. It enables the snake to accurately launch itself at a warm-blooded animal even if the snake can’t see their victim.
Did you know that some rattlesnakes do not sound their rattle to warn a potential victim. Some rattlesnake species have evolved with no rattle. Although this should not be your only determining factor, remember to look closely at the shape of the snake’s head and eyes to help you determine if it is a poisonous snake.
