The accurate identification of venomous species of snakes can be important!
Do you see that snake biting me in the hand in the cover photo? That is a nonvenomous Northern Water Snake. Since they live in and near water, they are often misidentified as Water Moccasins and needlessly killed. In this video, I first familiarize you with the Northern Water Snake as an example of a nonvenomous snake that is common to see near the water and then show you the differences that the venomous pit viper known as the Water Moccasin or Cottonmouth has.
A FEW DIFFERENCES
Water Moccasins are a particular kind of venomous snake in the pit viper family. In the United States, pit vipers include that Water Moccasin (AKA Cottonmouth), the Copperhead, and Rattlesnakes. With these pit vipers, you will find some common characteristics.
In this close up photo of the Water Moccasin, you can see that it has an elongated pupil. If a snake has round pupils, that does not mean it is nonvenomous. The Coral Snake is a venomous snake in the United States that has round pupils. Having round pupils for snakes in the United States just means that they are not pit vipers. Rattlesnakes, Copperheads and Water Moccasins will all have the elongated pupils.
Additionally, pit vipers like this Cottonmouth will have heat pits. Heat pits can be noticed because there are small holes between the eyes and the nostrils of pit vipers. With these sensitive organs, put vipers can sense heat, which can help them locate warmblooded mammals to prey upon.
The fangs are also a good giveaway that a snake is venomous, but not all venomous will have visible fangs or display them. Though Water Moccasins will open their mouths as a defense mechanism, they will not always display their fangs. The large, gaping white mouth is a good sign that the snake is a Cottonmouth, and it is where the Water Moccasin gets its nickname from.
In the video, I also show how the belly pattern is different, and the difference in belly scales. The opening in the belly scales where snakes defecate and reproduce from is called a vent. Many snakes will have single belly scales before the vent and double belly scales after the vent. Double belly scales means that there are two scales, one coming form each side, which meet int he middle. Pit vipers, like the Moccasin, continue to have single belly scales after the vent.
Yes, I know that many people will never grab a snake by the tail when it is in the bushes and peek underneath to see what kind of scales it has after the vent, but I certainly have.
It is worth mentioning that even bites from nonvenomous snakes can be dangerous and the wounds could become infected, but for the most part, there are only two ways to get but by any snake.
The first way is by accident. This can and does happen, and when it does occur it is often when a human comes close to a snake without knowing that it is there. The snake sees the human as a threat and strikes in defense.
The second way that most people end up getting bit is when they are trying to kill or capture them. The safest way to reduce your risk of being bit by a snake is to not try to kill or handle them. It is unfortunate that many people have an unrealistic fear of snakes and think that snakes are going to attack people. Then, when they see a snake, they attack it try to prevent it from hurting anyone and get bit in the process. When this happens, they claim, "See I told you it was dangerous."
Though there are some snakes in the world that will follow or come at a person, this is rarely the case with many species. With the varieties I have dealt with, I have never once been chased by a snake. The hundreds of snakes that I have caught were always ones that I had to chase. It would be easier if they would just chase me.
Anyway, as with any wild animals, their place is in the wild, and if we know how to accurately identify them, it can help keep us, and them, safe. I hope that you enjoyed the video!
COPPERHEAD HOW TO TOO!
If you enjoyed this video, you may also be interested in my How to Accurately Identify a Copperhead Snake video from four months ago. Since they are both pit vipers, some of the info is similar, but it is another venomous snake that lives where many of us live, so it may be a good idea to know how to accurately identify one. Enjoy!
As always, I'm @papa-pepper and here's the proof:
proof-of-water-moccasin
Until next time…
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Great identification post, had these everywhere when I lived in the swamp.
Should add that while you should still get to a hospital, moccasin venom is rarely lethal to adults. My family got rid of them because of pets and kids but it may help some people not feel a need to kill.
Right, that is a very good point. I'll upvote your comment so more can read that part!
Thank you very much : ) glad I was able to add something.
Thank you for adding it!
Great works, I wish you success
it looks like you got bitten in one of these photographs - i guess it didn't bother you or you wouldn't be posting the blog. you would love Australia, as we have many species of venomous snakes and they are not too hard to find. Keep rockin
Hopefully one day I can visit there!
What got your interest in snakes started! You certainly know a lot about them! My son had a pet snake once. That is the only one I got close to on a voluntary basis.
But I had a boa or python come into my store once and then hide in the water melon bin. An animal control guy happened to drive down the street and we flagged him down. He had it caught in no time and our customers could stop freaking out. It was kind of funny since it certainly was someone's pet and they are not poisonous, but I was glad that the situation got resolved quickly.
I freak out sighting snakes.
I like just about all animals, we just happen to have a lot of snakes here.
Great works, I wish you success
wow Amazing post
Its very important to have knowledge about any animals before killing..Unknowingly many times we kill nonvanomouse snakes.
Agreed, but if you don't know, always better to play it safe (imo)
Yes
I've heard about the identification by eye type. Glad to see it again in more details. Thanks.
Yeah, not a foolproof way to determine whether a snake is venomous or not, so people need to be careful and hear the full story behind it.
I agree. You have to know what you are doing to be able to pull it off.
Hmmm, thanks for the free lecture @papa-pepper! :)
LOL - Thanks!
😵😵😵😵
Forwarding to... the entire state of Florida! They got gators and water moccasins in the streets right now!
Nice post. Very informative.
Living here, in Thailand, snakes are a way of life.
I have no fear of them, but respect them.
Some snakes get out of the way given the chance ( cobra's)
We have a Malayan pit viper sneaking around the bungalow, at the moment.
Not good.
Live and let live, but the pit viper will be meeting with sharp end of a machete on the end of a bamboo stick !
It would be cool to see some of those snakes one day, but for now I just enjoy what I've got!
a tree snake - this is non venomous (some ones are)
I love these type of snakes as they blend in with the tree u can't really tell if it's a tree or a snake unless us ee their eyes and tongue
Is that one on a pepper plant?
you mean capsicum? definitely not - chili - yes -very possibly-'I think' - the piccy isn't from my garden
does this.jpg)
help ?
Too good video n pics good job
Thank you!
You are so brave. And the Water Moccasins is a kind of snake right? How did you learn on how to hold a snake like that? It looks scary from the start, but when you hold it. I feel better, but not beaten by that snake! I really enjoy watching you @papa-pepper and your adorable kids.
How old are they?
@papa-pepper You never seize to amaze me with your courage and your love for the wild animals. I would probably die of a heart attack if a snake bit me before I have the presence of mind to check if it is venomous or not. LOL.
I really appreciate your tips on elongated pupils, heat pits and belly scales. I am not likely to go catch snakes anytime soon but as you have correctly pointed out, usually people get bitten when they accidentally come in contact with a snake - so, I will remember your article if that ever happens to me (hope not).
It is ironic that I call myself a wildlife and nature lover (and write wildlife awareness blogs) but have a phobia of snakes .... Well no one is perfect I guess. LOL
Thanks again. Upvoted full.
Regards,
I do not understand anything about snakes,
because basically I am afraid of snakes,
but I am interested about the videos and articles, because it can increase knowledge about snakes,
at first glance this snake appears harmless, if you disposed to guided me, I also want to hold it..
Thank for sharing @papa-pepper 😊
Agreed
that seems pretty well and detailed info about the Water moccasin
and the videos are kinda cool ;)to handle snakes i wonder if i ever can do that
excelente video sobre serpientes. Saludos!!
Awesome video, I live where we have both of these snakes and we have a bunch of kids. I'm going to throw these video's up on the tv so the kids can watch them and identify these snakes while they play. I grew up with snakes and have owned a few, my wife is one of those who thinks they eat kids and chase you.
I haven't really thought about snakes with the kids until now so I thank you for this post and I've resteemed it as it can be a life saver as well as a snake saver. Carry on Papa-Pepper.
If the kids like learning about animals, I have 50 of my animal videos in this post : https://steemit.com/wild-man/@papa-pepper/the-wild-man-s-wild-friends-video-series-celebration-50-animals-featured-already
A lot of people and families seem to be enjoying them,
Omgggg.. does it hurt when she bites you ??
This snake looks really terrible ....i would never take it in my hands.... 😱😱😱😱😵😵😵
Just because it bleeds don't mean it hurts... but yes, it does hurt a bit! LOL
It looks really scary 😨😨😱😱😱😱
Here I was thinking you were going to talk about wet shoes. 😋
Very informative and entertaining.
Thank you once again.
Excellent camera demeanor.
You set the standard here.
Really? Thanks for that. I do them all in one take, so I've got to try to do a good job.
Aww u should go see a doctor damn u got bitten three times 😱 hope u don't get infected thanks for the identifying posts , I love snakes and dangerous animals , but don't think I'll be able to handle them like u do , even if they are non venemous , as I'm not sure I'll be able to identify one
LOL - Thanks for the concern!
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Very interesting. Data like that puts things in a different perspective. I'll take a look.
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Hey, @papa-pepper. Thank you for the informative post. People need to know the difference and not kill snakes just because they are snakes. Pit vipers are dangerous and folks need to know to leave them alone. Where I live, as soon as someone sees a snake it is done for. Often what they are killing here are boas and racers. And heaven forbid if they see a snake in a tree. Out come the machetes and hopefully the snake is quicker...
This is such a great post! It is sad that so many see a snake nonvenomous or venomous and right away want to kill it. I guess they don't understand that they do a lot for people. Like us that lives in the woods snakes offer us pest control. I like to teach my children to always have a watchful eye when it comes to areas they may be. But at the same time I teach them to always have respect for them and not to mess with them. We are not the type that shy away from killing. But i do have a rule in my house that the only time you should kill is if you are trying to feed your family, protecting your family or live stock, or if you have to put an animal down so it doesn't have to suffer any more. But other than that killing any thing just to kill it is a wast of a life.
The first thing my Uncle's taught me was to check the shape of the head. The round headed snakes are non venomous and its the rectangular shape snakes you need to be careful around.
Really cool pics of you handling that snake like a boss man. I'll leave it to you!
Reminded me also of something I was told when I was a kid in Houston, Texas (where we had ALL the snakes, yo), to help us identify coral versus king snakes...
"Red and yellow, kill a fellow. Red and black, friend of Jack."