Identifying Snakes in Alabama

Venomous snakes are quickly recognizable.

With practice and a good field guide, you can learn to identify Alabama's snakes. When you encounter a snake, you should first identify it as venomous or non-venomous. There are only six venomous species of snakes in Alabama---five "pit vipers" and one Coral Snake. Pit vipers have a distinctive physical characteristics, and Coral Snakes have a unique pattern of colored bands.

Things You'll Need

• Notepad or camera
• Reptile field guide (e.g., Peterson Field Guide)

Instructions

Identifying Snakes in Alabama

1. Use a notepad or camera to record important characteristics of any snake you encounter.

2. 

   Pit vipers have stout bodies.

   Examine the body form of the snake. Does it have a thick, heavy body or a long, slender body? Venomous pit vipers have bodies that are very stout for their length.

3. 

   Even small Pygmy Rattlesnakes have obvious, narrower necks.

   Inspect the head and neck of the snake. Does it have a blocky head and much narrower neck, or does the head connect to the body with no obvious neck? Venomous pit vipers have broad, blocky heads and obvious narrow necks.

4. 

   A rattle-tipped tail is a clear warning sign.

   Look for a rattle on the tip of the tail. Venomous rattlesnakes have tails tipped with rattles. However, venomous Cottonmouths and Copperheads lack rattles, and venomous Pygmy Rattlesnakes have tiny rattles that you may not notice.

5. 

   Rattlesnakes have rough-looking scales with obvious ridges.

   Examine the scales. Are they ridged and rough-looking or smooth and shiny? All of the venomous pit vipers have somewhat rough-looking scales with ridges called "keels." However, although harmless snakes also have keeled scales, venomous Coral Snakes have smooth, shiny scales.

6. 

   Venomous Copperheads have reddish, hourglass-shaped bands across their backs.

   Record the color of the snake and any markings such as blotches or bands. Look for markings on the head as well---most venomous pit vipers (and some harmless snakes) have dark stripes from the eye to the corner of the jaw. If the snake has colored bands, record the order of the colors---venomous Coral Snakes have yellow, red and black bands with yellow touching red (harmless look-alikes never have yellow touching red).

7. Compare your notes with the color plates in your field guide. When you think you have identified the snake, check the range map in the full species description. Is that species found in your area? If not, continue your attempt to identify the snake.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep photos or notes about each species you identify. This will help you to quickly identify it on your next encounter.

• Never handle, harass or try to kill a snake. You will greatly increase your chances of being bitten! Leave them alone so that they can play their important roles in Alabama's ecosystem.

• Exercise caution when walking through areas with tall grass or along the edges of waterways---snakes may be present!

References

• Alabama Cooperative Extension System - Identification of Snakes in Alabama for Forest Workers
• Outdoor Alabama - Snakes