2 Things To Observe When Differentiating a Venemous Snake

A once famous local musician – Irma – had passed from a snake bite from a snake of the Elapidae clan. Venemous snake bites could kill you instantly: as they inject poison directly to your bloodstreams.

Though there are non venemous snakes, there are still some you’d have to avoid – as they could be dangerous too. Some may not be venemous, but snakes are carnivorous animals that could attack and consume any living animal when starved.

From the 2000 types of snakes, only 200 are labelled as venemous. Though they should be easy to spot, you might be caught in a situation where you’re not entirely sure if the snake you’ve stumbled upon mid-hike is dangerous. In this article, find out the 2 things to observe when differentiating a venemous snake.

1. Their Anatomies from Afar

When you’re caught in a difficult situation, it is unwise to approach a snake before you’re sure that it won’t harm you. More so, some anatomical observations are not entirely reliable as well. For example, observing the shape of the snake’s pupils does not necessarily differentiate the snakes properly. Though most venemous snakes would have thin gap-like pupils, most nocturnal snakes (regardless of being venemous or not) would have the same set too – whereas those who are active on the day would have round pupils.

Fortunately, there are several traits you could observe from afar. By contraire, venemous snakes would often have triangular shaped heads and bright colors. Venemous snakes would also have scales going across one line across their tails and rattles on the end.

However, if you come across a dead snake or one that is domesticated, you could deduct that they are venemous when they have a diamond shaped skin pattern and small fangs. Venemous snakes also have a sensor – in the shape of a hole – between their eyes and nose that aids them to hunt mammals.

2. Their Actions

Azka (20), the leader of brebes’ reptile enthusiast community, pointed out that venemous snakes are calm and slow by nature. They would only get teritorial when they’re attacked.

Another distinctive feature found in venemous snakes is they do not bind their preys (they have their own poison). Venemous snakes hunt their prey by biting them seamlessly then waiting for the poison to kick in and their prey to completely die. They do not leave their hunt until their prey is ready to be consumed. Also, in a pinch, venemous snakes could resort to cannibalism.

So, these are the two things to observe when differentiating a venemous snake! For your safety and their, please do not harm or approach snakes before being sure that they’re there to harm you. When angered, snakes could attack and create further damage.