How to Identify a Cream-Colored Snake
Snakes are fascinating creatures to observe and identify, but caution comes first when trying to figure out what species you've encountered. Observe from afar, and don't assume you've identified it correctly until you have verification from a snake expert. It's a shame to oust or kill a harmless snake, but a dangerous idea to take a poisonous snake for granted.
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Instructions
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Take a picture of the snake in question from afar if possible. You can send this picture to a professional for identification. If that's not possible, jot down any distinguishing features of the snake. Take note of any colors besides the cream color, or any patterns. Note the shape of the head and anything of note on the tail. Note the color of the underbelly.
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Keep in mind that most snakes have a cream-colored underbelly. If all you can see is the underbelly, identification may be impossible. Snakes of the same species may also come in many different colors. For example, timber rattlesnakes can be cream-colored, rust or even black. Color alone will not be enough to identify a cream-colored snake.
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Purchase a snake identification guide with color photographs of each species. The ideal guide will include distinguishing features and habits to give you further clues. Using a guide limited to a small region may narrow down your search, but some snakes are displaced by collectors or pet shops. If the snake you've found isn't from your area, check at pet shops or refer to a guide that covers a larger region for clues.
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Don't try to capture the snake, even if you're confident you've identified it. Capturing certain species of wild snakes is illegal, and there's always the chance you've misidentified the snake. Some snakes are cream-colored when young, but later change colors. What you believe to be an adult of one species may be a juvenile of another species.
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Even if you have identified the cream-colored snake as a poisonous snake, do not attempt to kill it or chase it away. You'll put yourself and anyone nearby in unnecessary danger. What's more, the snake may be protected by law, or be playing an important roll in keeping a local ecosystem in balance. Contact your local wildlife control center to remove the snake. Keep track of where the snake is until someone comes to collect it, and keep pets and children away from the area until the snake has been collected.
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Tips & Warnings
Photograph the front and side of the snake's head to help with identification. If the snake has a distinct tail, photograph this, too. These are the most distinguishing areas of most snakes and will make the identification process easier.
When photographing a snake for identification, stay at least least two full body lengths of the snake away from it. If the snake is coiled, it may be hard to determine this distance. Err on the side of caution.
References
- Photo Credit goffer snake image by Sebastien Fremont from Fotolia.com
