It’s starting to get warmer outside so that means snake season is starting.  Here are some facts you should know that could help if you have an encounter.

This is the under belly of a snake. Notice one has a double row of scales, this means it is a non-venomous snake and all of our non-venomous snake scales will divide into 2 rows after it passes the Anal plate.

Where the other one has a single row of scales, this would mean it is a venomous snake and all of our venomous snakes have a single row of scales down the whole

length of it’s body.

(This rule also works with a snake skin shedding if you should find one)

The Pit

The Eye

The Eye

The Nose

The Nose

Canebrake Rattlesnake (Crotalus atricaudatus)

Black Rat Snake

(Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta)

All of our local venomous snakes are Pit Vipers.

Copperheads, Cottonmouths, and the Canebrake Rattlesnake.

This means they have a heat sensing pit that is located between the eye and the nose.

The eye of a Pit Viper can also have a slit, but this is not the best way to make a positive identification because it changes shape depending on the lighting.

(It works like a cats eye)

All of our local non-venomous snakes do not posses these pits and their pupil is round, it does not change shape.

But again this is not the best way to make a positive identification.

(The best way is to follow the belly rule above)

This is a Baby Northern Copperhead  (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen)

(Notice the tip of the tail is a Bright Yellow. All baby Copperheads & Cottonmouths have this)

All of our Pit Vipers give birth to live young

they do not lay eggs.

Top View

Bottom View

Our Local Venomous Snakes

Canebrake Rattlesnake (Crotalus atricaudatus)

Eastern Cottonmouth

(Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus)

Eastern Cottonmouth

(Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus)

Defense mode

Northern Copperhead

(Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen)

Another myth to clear up is. You can not tell a Rattlesnakes age by how many rattles it has. Rattlesnakes gain a new rattle on the end of it’s tail every time it sheds it’s skin. Snakes can shed 2 or more times a year.

Some of are Non Venomous Snakes can rattle their tails as well. Black Snakes, Black Racers, Corn Snakes, Kingsnakes, Copperheads and Cottonmouths, just to name a few. Use this as a defense mode to warn off a predator when it feels threatened.

Some rattles can grow so long that they just break off. But the snake will continue to grow new rattles throughout it’s life after every shedding of it’s skin.

If You Have Any Other Questions Or Concerns Please Feel Free To Contact Us.

757-739-4917

(Endangered in VA. / Threatened in NC.)