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by Rjessicak on August 13th, 2006

Rjessicak

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How do you tell if a snake is poisonous?

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  • by robinhug on August 13th, 2006

    robinhug

    Per http://www.kentuckysnakes.org/how2.cfm
    Eye Pupil Shape
    An easy method of telling the difference between a venomous or poisonous versus a non-poisonous snake is to look at the shape of the pupil.
    Non-poisonous snakes all have a round pupil (in the center of the eye) whereas all poisonous snakes have a vertical elliptical (cat-like) shaped pupil. All pit-vipers (poisonous) also have a small hole (pit) between the nostril and the eye.

    Best thing is to treat all snakes as if they are poisonous. As a general rule, many venomous snakes have pupils like a cat- they have a vertical slit. Non-poisonous snakes like the Texas rat snake, has round pupils like humans. That's extremely general. There are a few exceptions.

    Per http://homegarden.expertvillage.com/experts/venomous-snakes.htm
    I just treat all snakes the same. I treat them as if they are poisonous. I don't take chances, until I know exactly what snake I am dealing with. I can't remember the exact number, but Texas has at least 10 look-alike snakes. They look very similar to other poisonous snakes but they are not.

    Comments

    • Good answer , I would also add, I don't get close enough to "lookem in da eye", so I look at the shape of the head. Oval shape generally means safe, Diamond shape generally means poisonous.But safest is to avoid getting that close to them.

      cedargrove

      by cedargrove on August 16th, 2006

    • snakes are not poisonous, but some are venomous.

      caryfly

      by caryfly on October 4th, 2006

    • The coral snake is very venomous and has round pupils, so this statement is false.

      txsaphire

      by txsaphire on April 27th, 2010

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