Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: How to identify the most common poisonous snakes
• Method 2 of 2: Signs of a snake bite
• Tips
• Warnings

Encountering a snake in the wild can be dangerous, especially if you don't know what kind of snake it is. A venomous snake bite can be fatal. To understand whether the snake is poisonous or non-venomous in front of you, you need to find out which snakes live in your area. You can also look for signs of venomous snakes in a snake. If you are bitten by any snake, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: How to identify the most common poisonous snakes

1. 1 Recognize the viper by its triangular head. The viper is one of the most common poisonous snakes. These snakes have large, triangular heads that expand towards the base. The head is much wider than the neck. Vipers also have a cavity between their eyes and nostrils that traps heat and makes it easier to find prey. Therefore, the viper can be recognized by its characteristic appearance: a triangular head, a depression on the face, as well as vertical pupils, like a cat.
   • Vipers are found in Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America.
   • The viper family includes a number of rattlesnakes as well as the water snake.

   A warning: not all triangular-headed snakes are venomous. There are also venomous snakes with narrow heads and round pupils. Don't rely solely on these signs.

   
   
2. 2 Recognize the rattlesnake by its rattle or tail protrusion. Rattlesnakes belong to the viper family and are one of the most common types of venomous snakes. A distinctive feature of the rattlesnake, in addition to the triangular head and large body, is the rattle at the end of the tail. Sometimes there is only a protrusion on the tail (one segment of the rattle) or the tail has a truncated shape. This happens if the rattle has been damaged.
   • It is also important to know what color different types of rattlesnakes may have. For example, the diamond-shaped rattlesnake has characteristic diamond-shaped marks on its back.
3. 3 Recognize coral snakes by their color. Asps are brightly colored venomous snakes that are found in the Americas, as well as parts of Asia and the Pacific. These snakes do not belong to the viper family - they have small, rounded heads and round pupils. Although the color and pattern on the body of these snakes can be different, most often the snakes can be recognized by their bright red, yellow and black stripes.
   • Poisonous coral snakes can be confused with non-venomous king snakes, however, king snakes do not have red and yellow stripes at the same time.
   • At the same time, there are other non-venomous snakes with alternating red and yellow stripes, so it is important to pay attention to other signs.
4. 4 Recognize the black mamba by the black and blue mouth. If you live in or travel to sub-Saharan Africa, you may come across a black mamba, whose bite can be fatal. These snakes are long (up to 4 meters in length) and are olive or gray in color. You can recognize a black mamba by the special dark blue color of the inner surface of the mouth. The snake can open its mouth if it is frightened or feels that something is threatening it.
   • Mambas are relatives of the cobra, and they behave in a similar way when in danger.If you corner a black mamba, it can rears up and reveal the hood or crease around its neck.
   • Like coral snakes and cobras, black mambas belong to the snake family, not viper. They have narrow heads and round pupils.
5. 5 Identify the cobra by the hood. These venomous snakes are found in parts of Asia, Africa and the Pacific. A distinctive feature of the cobra is the hood around the head and neck, which unfolds when the snake is frightened. At the same time, the snake emits a loud and frightening hiss. Some cobras are also capable of injecting venom at their attackers.
   • Cobra can be recognized by its special color. The Indian cobra has a mark on the back of the hood that resembles glasses.
6. 6 Find out which venomous snakes live in your area. There are many types of venomous snakes that live all over the world, but there is no specific set of signs by which one could recognize a venomous snake. To determine whether a snake is venomous or not, one should take into account its appearance, behavior and habitat. Look online or check your local reptile directory to find out if there are venomous snakes in your area, and if so, which ones.
   • For example, if you live in the North American state of Oregon, of all the venomous snakes, you may only come across the green rattlesnake.
   • As in the case of venomous snakes, there is no clear set of signs that would allow a snake to be classified as non-venomous only by its appearance. To get to know a non-venomous snake, study the local reptile guide, find out what snakes live in your area and what they look like.
7. 7 Learn to distinguish similar snakes from each other. Some non-venomous snakes are very similar to venomous species. If your area is inhabited by similar venomous and non-venomous snakes, study their features and differences.
   • For example, the poisonous water snake is often confused with the harmless water snake. To distinguish one snake from another, the shape of the snake's head and body should be examined. Water snakes have large bodies and triangular heads, while aquatic snakes have thin bodies and narrow heads.
   • The non-venomous pine snake is often confused with the rattlesnake due to its similar colors and aggressive behavior. However, unlike rattlesnakes, pine snakes have a pointed tail without a rattle.
8. 8 Keep snake photos with you if needed. If you come across a snake and you don't know what kind it is, take a picture of it with your phone or camera. Then show it to a photography expert or look for a description of the snake by its appearance.
   • Don't take risks for a good photo. Try to photograph the snake from a safe distance.
   • If you don't have a photo, search for similar snakes using Google Images. Enter a description (for example, "black snake yellow rings Asia") and review the resulting photographs.

Method 2 of 2: Signs of a snake bite

1. 1 Seek emergency medical attention if you bitten by a snake. If you have been bitten by a snake (and even if you are sure it is non-venomous), it is important to go to a hospital emergency room or call an ambulance. Even non-venomous snake bites can be dangerous if left untreated.
   • While you are waiting for a doctor, wash the bite site with soap and water, if you can, and keep the bite site above heart level. Remove tight clothing, watches, and jewelry that may squeeze the bite area or cause swelling.
2. 2 Be prepared for severe symptoms if you are bitten by a venomous snake. After the bite, observe your condition. Tell your doctor or other healthcare staff about these symptoms, as this information will help them determine which poison they need to work with and how to neutralize it. Common signs of a poisonous snake bite include the following:
   • severe pain, redness, swelling, blue discoloration around the bite site;
   • numbness in the face and mouth;
   • labored breathing;
   • heart palpitations;
   • weakness;
   • dizziness, loss of consciousness;
   • headache;
   • nausea or vomiting;
   • blurred vision;
   • heat;
   • convulsions.

   A warning: Although venomous snakes most often leave two punctures from their teeth, not all snakes excrete venom in this way. The shape of the bite should not be the main indicator by which you will determine if the snake was venomous.

   
   
3. 3 If the snake is non-venomous, expect moderate pain, itching, and swelling in the area of ​​the bite. If you are bitten by a non-venomous snake, your symptoms will be mild. However, it is important to see a doctor on time anyway. Lack of treatment for a bite of any kind can lead to infection. Many people also have an allergic reaction to snake saliva. Common symptoms of a non-venomous snake bite include the following:
   • pain at the site of the bite;
   • slight redness and swelling;
   • bleeding from the bite site;
   • itching in the area of ​​the bite.

Tips

• You may have heard that most snakes are venomous, but they are not. Only 15% of snakes around the world are dangerous to humans. While all snakes should be handled with care and respect, you should not assume that every snake you encounter is venomous.
• Do not kill the snake if it has not attacked you. Snakes help control rodents and other pests that transmit disease to humans.
• If you are planning to catch a snake, it is safest to set up a snake trap.
• If you are unsure if a snake is venomous, consider it venomous and stay away from it.
• Do not step into the grass if you do not know if there is a snake there.
• If the cobra spit in your direction, wash all clothing, camera lenses and other equipment when you get home. Wear sunglasses or work glasses to keep the poison out of your eyes.
• If you have been bitten by a venomous snake, try to identify it. It is best to take a clear picture with your phone from a safe distance. Correct identification of the snake will allow doctors to choose the right antidote and save your life.

Warnings

• Even if bitten by a non-venomous snake, an infection can enter your body. It is important to know exactly what kind of animal bit you and seek medical attention in time.
• If you do not seek medical attention right after being bitten by a snake, you could die.
• Don't try to pick up a wild snake. If you know for sure that the snake is non-venomous, and you want to pick it up, do it very carefully. The safest way is to let the snake crawl onto a stick.
• Do not try to pick up a snake that hisses, rattles its tail, bends in an “S” shape, or secretes saliva, as these are all warning signs that the snake should be left alone or it may attack.