and what places do they usually come out at..?
2006-09-18 17:12:24 · 15 answers · asked by ali_ed2001 2 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Essentially, you have to find out what is in your area and recognize which ones are venomous. In the U.S. there are only a few venomous snakes including the rattlesnake, coral snake, copperhead, and the cottonmouth (water moccasin).
As far as the eyes, that really only tells you if their nocturnal or diurnal. Snakes that are nocturnal usually have slits for their pupils such as the rattlesnake, snakes that are diurnal usually have round pupils.
The color rhyme is usually okay to distinguish the coral snake from non-venomous milk snakes, but there are some milk snakes that have the same coloration. However, it is extremely rare that you would ever come into contact with a coral snake anyway.
Snakes really just want to be left alone. If you go hiking in an area with snakes, just be sure to watch where you step and don't reach under places that snakes like to hide such as under rocks or logs.
2006-09-18 17:40:22 · answer #1 · answered by xyz_gd 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only way to really be sure if a given snake is dangerous is to know what it is. There isn't really any physical trait that will tell you 100% that a snake is of a dangerous species. Most snakes are not dangerous, but unless you're sure, I'd keep back.
2006-09-19 02:52:06 · answer #2 · answered by shadowfist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should not really mess with snakes if you cannot tell what they are right away..it matters where you live, snakes do no tlike the open only when looking for food which is normally at night, rattlers are most common, you can tell by their head shape, diamond shape or larger in back of jaw, or the colors, probably better off getting a book or go to zoo, if you are in FL, LA ther are quite a few... even snakes that are poisonous moret hen likely will not kill you but still mess you up, destroy flesh, stress your heart and lungs, etc.
2006-09-19 00:22:55 · answer #3 · answered by sevenout7 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By knowing which snakes ARE. Research the dangerous species in your area (I'm sure there are only a very few, if any), learn how to identify them, learn their habits etc... Basically educate yourself, so you know what to do if you happen upon one. If there's a snake that you can't 100% IDENTIFY as non-venomous, give it it's space.
2006-09-19 04:14:55 · answer #4 · answered by snake_girl85 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In relation to the venomous coral snakes which have a non venomous counterpart and hard to tell apart "red on yellow will kill a fellow" because the stripping is a bit different.
As for the rest of the venomous/nonvenomous snakes it's the eyes. Round safe/elliptical poisonous.
2006-09-19 00:27:14 · answer #5 · answered by Shaman 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Here is a rhyme to help you remember. Just look at the colors of the snake, usually they are in bands.
If red meets black, you're ok Jack.
If red meets yellow, you're a dead fellow.
Meaning a snake with red colors right next to yellow colors is poisonous.
Snakes are most active in dawn and dusk times. They can be found almost anywhere, but commonly in grasses, under/in rocks, bushes, etc.
2006-09-19 00:18:11 · answer #6 · answered by Lanna B 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Play it totally safe and don't mess around with snakes in the wild. Want to purchase one in a pet shop? Do research first.
2006-09-19 00:46:20 · answer #7 · answered by kriend 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pit vipers (ie rattlesnakes, copperheads, water moccasins etc.) have oval eye pupils (like a cats' eyes) while non-lethal types have round pupils. I can't say that I've found this info very useful as a person would have to be very close to the snake to tell....
2006-09-19 00:17:49 · answer #8 · answered by Witchyluck 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Research snakes in your area & find pictures of them. Or you could go crazy and...read a book!!
2006-09-19 00:20:22 · answer #9 · answered by grrl 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try a rubber snake. Guaranteed not to bite.
2006-09-19 08:50:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋