How to Identify the Two Poisonous Varieties of Snake in the Great Smoky Mountains
Of the 23 types of snakes in the Great Smoky Mountains, only two are poisonous: the copperhead and the timber rattlesnake. Being able to identify them can help a doctor treat a bite and limit tissue damage.
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Instructions
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Look at the location of the snake. Timber rattlesnakes prefer rocky outcrops and hillsides, while copperheads like crevices of rocks along stream banks.
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Consider the size. The timber rattlesnake typically is around 3 feet long and heavy, while the copperhead is considerably smaller.
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Look at the color. The rattler generally is brown, though it can range from orange to almost black, with dark patches on its back. A copperhead, as its name suggests, has a copper tone.
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Look at patterns. Copperheads have a distinctive, alternating color banding pattern. Rattlers have a diamond color that can differ slightly from snake to snake and is not as pronounced as might be expected in other rattlers.
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Watch and listen. A rattlesnake is more aggressive and will make the distinctive rattling or buzzing-like sound if threatened, while a copperhead will not make noise and is much more timid around people.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not try to kill or catch snakes. It is against the law in the Great Smokey Mountains and increases your odds of being bitten.
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