Is That Snake Safe? Quick Tips to Identify Venomous Snakes

Encountering a snake in your backyard or during a hike in the Myrtle Beach area can be an alarming experience. Knowing how to identify venomous snakes can not only ease your mind but also ensure your safety. Here, we’ll provide essential tips to help you distinguish between venomous and nonvenomous snakes, focusing on species commonly found around Myrtle Beach, along with crucial snake safety tips.

How to Spot Venomous Snakes: Key Identifiers

Physical Characteristics of Venomous Snakes

• Pupil Shape: Venomous snakes in Myrtle Beach, such as the Copperhead or the Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin), typically have elliptical, cat-like pupils, whereas nonvenomous snakes like the Eastern Rat Snake have round pupils.
• Head Shape: Many venomous snakes possess a broad, triangular-shaped head with a distinct neck. This is due to the venom glands located beneath their jaws. Nonvenomous snakes usually have a more streamlined head with no apparent neck.
• Color and Pattern: While this can be trickier to use as a definitive guide, venomous snakes often display more distinct and contrasting patterns compared to the more uniform patterns of nonvenomous snakes. For example, the Copperhead has a distinctive hourglass pattern or Hershey Kiss pattern across its body.

Behavioral Traits

Warning Displays: Some venomous snakes, like rattlesnakes will give a warning rattle to indicate their presence. In contrast, non venomous snakes might flee or remain still to avoid detection.

Habitat Consideration

Water Proximity: The Cottonmouth, a venomous snake, is frequently found near water sources such as ponds, marshes and rivers. Non venomous water snakes are often mistaken for Cottonmouths but lack the aggressive behavior and the thick, heavy body of their venomous counterparts.

The Limitations of Visual Identification of Snakes

While these tips can provide helpful guidance, it’s important to remember that snake identification based solely on appearance and behavior can be challenging and sometimes misleading. Overlaps in physical characteristics among different snake species can occur, and juvenile snakes often have different patterns and colors compared to adults.

Snake Safety Tips

Ensuring safety when encountering snakes is crucial, whether they are venomous or not. Here are some safety tips to remember:

• Keep a Safe Distance: Always keep a safe distance from any snake you encounter. Most snake bites occur when trying to move or kill a snake.
• Do Not Attempt to Handle: Never try to handle or capture a snake unless you are a trained professional.
• Be Aware of Your Surroundings: When walking in areas where snakes might be present, watch where you step or place your hands. Snakes can be found in tall grass, piles of leaves and under rocks or debris.
• Educate Children: Teach children to respect wildlife and to understand the importance of not touching any animals they find outdoors.
• Secure Your Home: Ensure your yard is tidy and clutter-free to reduce spots where snakes might hide. Seal gaps in the foundation of your home to prevent snakes from entering.

Being able to identify venomous snakes is a useful skill, particularly in areas like Myrtle Beach where both venomous and nonvenomous snakes are present. However, the safest approach is always to keep a respectful distance from any snake. If you encounter a snake and are unsure of its species, or if you need a snake removed from your property, contact The Snake Chaser for professional assistance. Our experts are trained to handle and relocate snakes safely, ensuring the safety of both the residents and the animals. Remember, it’s better to be safe and let our professionals handle wildlife encounters.

FAQs

1. How can you tell if a snake is venomous?

To determine if a snake is venomous, check for elliptical pupils similar to a cat’s, a triangular head shape due to venom glands and distinct, vivid color patterns. These features are typical indicators, though they can vary between different species.

2. What are the signs of a venomous snake bite?

A venomous snake bite generally causes immediate pain and swelling at the bite site, accompanied by symptoms like nausea, blurred vision, difficulty breathing and sweating. Severe reactions can include numbness, tingling and an erratic heartbeat.

3. What should you do if you can’t tell whether a snake is venomous?

If you’re unsure about a snake’s venom status, always maintain a safe distance and treat the snake as potentially dangerous. Avoid handling it and call professional wildlife control such as The Snake Chaser to manage the situation safely. Educating yourself about local snake species can also help you recognize potential threats.