How To Identify Venomous Vs. Nonvenomous Snakes

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Some people love spending time outdoors with their family, whether they’re kayaking on the lake or enjoying a hike through the mountains. If that’s you and you haven’t already, it’s likely that you’ll encounter a snake or two at some point during your time in the great outdoors. Knowing the difference between a venomous and nonvenomous snake can literally be the difference between life and death.

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One of the fastest ways to tell whether a snake is venomous is to look at the snout. A rounded snout indicates that the snake is not venomous, while a pointed snout indicates that a snake is venomous.

Another way to tell whether a snake is venomous is to look for a heat-sensing pit, a small cavity behind the nostril that is only present in venomous snakes.

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Checking out the snake’s eyes (if you’re willing to get that close) is also a simple way to tell whether a snake is venomous. A non-venomous snake will have a round pupil (just like a human’s eye), whereas a venomous snake will have an elliptical pupil (similar to that of a cat).

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Of course, it’s always best to proceed with caution. If you’re bitten by a snake, be sure to seek medical attention, and describe the snake as best you can to your doctor so they can provide appropriate treatment.