How to distinguish poisonous snakes and non-venomous snakes

How to distinguish poisonous snakes and non-venomous snakes

The following way of distinguishing venomous snakes from non-venomous snakes is based on the experience of many people and from the synthesis of the characteristics of venomous snakes. You can consider this information as reference at Yeusnaker

Based on the expression when a snake meets a human

  • Seeing people trying to crawl away quickly, most of them are non-venomous snakes.
  • Seeing snake people shrinking in posture or crawling to the top, most of them are poisonous snakes.

Signs to identify venomous snakes and non-venomous snakes

Snake eyes

How to distinguish poisonous snakes and non-venomous snakes

Non-venomous snakes usually have round pupils, while venomous snakes have vertical stripes.

More precisely, the pupil. Non-venomous snakes usually have round pupils, while venomous snakes have vertical stripes. However, there are exceptions, when the pupils of some venomous snakes such as the black mamba (Africa), the cobra (Middle East, Asia, Africa), and the Australian taipan snake are round.

In addition, some snakes, although not poisonous, have the ability to change the shape of their pupils depending on dangerous situations or not. So, if you see a snake’s irises are round, do not rush to approach it. Take a look at other features as well.

Snake nose

How to distinguish poisonous snakes and non-venomous snakes

With venomous snakes, there will be a small hole between their eyes and nostrils.

With venomous snakes, there will be a small hole between their eyes and nostrils. It is the hole that senses heat, allowing them to locate their prey.

Snake tail

How to distinguish poisonous snakes and non-venomous snakes

The tail scales of venomous snakes are usually arranged in individual rows.

The tail scales of venomous snakes are usually arranged in individual rows, while non-venomous snakes will have a line dividing into 2 alternating columns of scales.

Snake head

In terms of appearance, venomous snakes and non-venomous snakes are not completely different.

How to distinguish poisonous snakes and non-venomous snakes

The cobra is poisonous.

Usually, the head of a venomous snake is quite large, has a triangular shape, a small neck, a short tail, the tail from the anus is small, the pattern is obvious.

The head of a non-venomous snake is relatively small, oval in shape, with a long tail, and the tail behind the anus is gradually smaller.

The heads of venomous snakes such as the five-step snake, the spear snake, the iron snake, the viper, the scorpion snake… are all triangular, but there are also some very formidable venomous snakes, like the head of a snake. kraits, scorpions and sea snakes have their heads similar to those of non-venomous snakes.

How to distinguish poisonous snakes and non-venomous snakes

The krait is extremely venomous, but its head is shaped like a non-venomous snake.

Among the non-venomous snakes, there are also a few species with triangular heads, such as prismatic snakes, because it is very similar to the spear snake, so some people call it false TB snake.

Colors and textures on snake skin

Venomous snakes are typically brightly colored, and can make a distinctive hissing sound (like the sound of a rattlesnake). There are exceptions, of course, but that’s usually the case.

In addition, if the snake’s skin has diamond patterns, or has 3 or more colors, it is most likely a poisonous snake.

For water snakes

How to distinguish poisonous snakes and non-venomous snakes

Water snakes also have poisonous babies. Poisonous water snakes, they often swim in a floating style, while non-venomous snakes only float on their heads and hide their bodies under the surface of the water.

Relying on fangs, bites

Snakes with poisonous teeth are definitely poisonous snakes.

Poisonous teeth have two types: one is a hook tooth, there is a venom groove on the teeth, there are snakes this tooth grows in front of the upper jaw bone, when they open their mouth wide, they can see, this type of tooth is called anterior molars.

This venomous snake with anterior groove teeth is usually quite toxic, such as cobras, kraits, kraits, sea snakes, etc.

There are snakes with poisonous grooves growing at the back of the upper jaw bone, called posterior groove teeth, such as mud snakes, aquatic snakes…, venomous snakes have this type of poisonous teeth, the toxicity is weaker, so when Bitten by this snake usually does not die.

This venomous front-toothed snake is usually quite toxic.

The second type of poisonous tooth is the tubular tooth , consisting of a pair of long slightly curved teeth, the tip is very small, like the tip of a flower needle, the inside of the tooth is hollow like a tube, so it is called a tube tooth. The root part of the tooth communicates with the duct of the poison gland, it is like a groove tooth, when biting a person, the muscle on the outside of the venom gland contracts, forcing the poisonous fluid inside into the pipe of the poison tooth, and then injecting it into the muscle. In the human body, the toxic fluid in the blood spreads throughout the human body, causing the person to be poisoned. The poisonous teeth of the spear snake, the five-step snake, the viper and the iron snake… are all tubular teeth.

Therefore, when being bitten by a snake, you can base on the teeth marks to distinguish whether you have been bitten by a poisonous snake or a non-venomous snake. If it is a non-venomous snake, it has only two rows of tiny teeth.

If it is a venomous snake, there must be a tooth mark or two teeth marks of poisonous teeth.

In addition, when bitten by a venomous snake, the bite site will be swollen and painful very quickly, sometimes feeling dizzy, sweaty, difficult to breathe… But when being bitten by poisonous snakes such as Sea snakes, scorpions and kraits bite, usually a few hours after the symptoms appear, the danger is great, special attention must be paid.

What to do when bitten by a snake

Venomous snake bites will be very painful, the bite will quickly swell. You will also soon experience shortness of breath, nausea, high blood pressure, muscle weakness, fever.

When bitten by a venomous snake, the first thing you need to do is go to the nearest medical facility to get an antidote (remember to bring the snake or a photo of the snake so the doctors can identify it easier). Note: do not suck the poison out, as that will damage the surrounding tissues more than not smoking.

While you wait for the doctor, limit your movements so that the venom doesn’t spread faster.

Read More:

5 most dangerous snakes in the world

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