How to Identify Snakes

1. 1
   See if the snake has a bright and colorful pattern. This is one of the easiest ways to tell if a snake is venomous from a distance. Many snakes that have a bright, colorful body are venomous, such as the coral snake. ^[1]

   • The color and pattern of coral snakes is the best way to identify this species, as it lacks other common characteristics of venomous snakes such as a rattle, elliptical eyes, and heat sensing pits. Coral snakes have bright yellow, red, and black bands.
   • However, there are always exceptions to these characteristics. For example, the Black Mamba snake which is found in Eastern and Southern Africa is extremely venomous, yet it is solid brown in color. ^[2]
2. 2
   Look for a triangular head and a sharp jawline. It's easiest to see the shape of the snake's head by looking at it from the side rather than from above. Venomous snakes tend to have a head that is shaped like an arrow, with a thin neck, sharp face, and a bulbous jaw. This is because of the protruding venom glands which are located in the snake's neck. ^[3]

   • Non-venomous snakes usually have rounded faces, however, some can flatten their heads to look more arrow-like if they feel threatened.
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   Determine if the snake has elliptical eyes if you are close enough. While it isn't advisable to approach a snake that you come across, if you are already close enough to see the shape of its eyes this will help you to identify if it is venomous or not. Many venomous snakes have slit-like eyes, similar to a cat, rather than round eyes like many non-venomous species. ^[4]

   • Rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths all have elliptical eyes.
4. 4
   Check between the eyes and nostrils for heat-sensing pits. A group of venomous snakes called pit vipers have a small slit between each eye and nostril. These organs help the snakes to detect changes in temperature, which is useful when hunting prey. ^[5]

   • To see if a snake has heat-sensing pits you will have to be very close to it, which is not recommended. This characteristic is useful if you are trying to identify snakes based on a picture or video instead.
   • Most venomous snakes in the U.S. are part of the pit viper group of snakes. This group includes rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths.
   • This is just a guideline, since pythons and boas also have heat pits, but they just look a bit different.
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^[6]

1. 1
   Listen for a rattling sound to identify a rattlesnake. Rattlesnakes are a very common type of venomous snake. The distinct rattling sound provides a helpful warning not to get any closer to the snake and to stay away. ^[7]

   • A rattling sound or seeing a rattle on the end of a snake's tail is the best way to tell rattlesnakes apart from other venomous species.
   • Despite not having a rattle, copperhead snakes can sometimes make a rattling sound as they move through leaves. Regardless of if the snake is a rattlesnake or a copperhead, it's safest to vacate the area if you hear the sound, rather than trying to work out what species it is.
2. 2
   Look for an hourglass pattern to identify a copperhead. The best indicator of a copperhead snake is the repeated, hourglass-shaped bands that cover its body. Copperheads are a reddish-brown color and are found across the Central and Eastern U.S. ^[8]

   • Although some harmless species share a similar pattern to copperheads, it's best to avoid the snake if you notice an hourglass pattern.
3. 3
   Identify a cottonmouth by looking for a stocky body and tail. Cottonmouth snakes tend to be very short and thick for their length. Defining characteristics include a head that is much wider than the neck, a very short and heavy tail, and a brown-black pattern. Cottonmouths are found across the Southeastern U.S. ^[9]

   • Cottonmouths are often confused with water snakes, a non-venomous species. Water snakes have a similar body pattern but are much thinner and more slender.
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