2007-07-25 07:54:06 · 5 answers · asked by Jamie H 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
No, you can't tell by the tail... and you can't tell by the pupil either.
The only way you can tell for sure is by knowing what types of snakes are in the specific area and learning about their physical characteristics.
As far as pupils, vertical pupils are typically on nocturnal snakes and round pupils are on diurnal snakes (day hunters). However, you can have venomous snakes in either category.
Typically a venomous snake will have a broader head because of the venom glands, but some non-venomous snakes such as many pythons and boas will have broad heads and some venomous snakes such as the coral snake have a relatively small head.
2007-07-25 08:59:01 · answer #1 · answered by xyz_gd 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Um, I wouldn't describe a pit viper's head as "diamond shaped" I'd go more with triangular or heart shaped. Coral snakes don't have that head shape though... but they also don't have the same head shape as a nonvenomous snake. Put plainly, though, no, I agree that the only way to be sure you're looking at a venomous or nonvenomous snake is to get a field guide and get a positive ID on the snake you're looking at, because all snakes have tails that end in a point unless it's been bitten or chopped off... well, rattlesnakes don't, but still, you get the point.
2007-07-26 07:27:59 · answer #2 · answered by gimmenamenow 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ummm whatever dumbass told u this, the answer is NO....u can tell by the shape of their head...if its diamond shaped, its VENEMOUS...if its head is kinda rounded, its non venemous...and also, for future reference for the one who posted about the pupils...its not true...all snakes have different pupils...just best to stay away from any snake that ur unsure about...and also, spiders and other insects as well as some snakes r not considered poisonous..theyre considered venemous because they INJECT their poison...cleaning sprays r toxic/poisonous...some plants r poisonous
2007-07-25 16:48:56 · answer #3 · answered by Tiffany S 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually- it's by the pupil - a round pupil is generally non-venomous, a 'cat's eye' or slit pupil is venomous. Not that I would want to get close enough to check if I was unsure.
2007-07-25 15:03:32 · answer #4 · answered by mommagirl24 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No
2007-07-25 16:06:40 · answer #5 · answered by darsow@sbcglobal.net 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋