Urban Detective

Snakes - Friend or Foe

Texas is home to around 115 species and subspecies of snakes. The 15 venomous snakes in Texas make up less than 15 percent of the total number of snakes in the state.

Snakes avoid your huge body, but will definitely bite if stepped on or otherwise trapped. Most bites occur in and around the ankle. About 99 percent of all bites occur below the knee, except when someone accidentally picks up or falls on the snake.

They are separated into four categories: coral snakes, copperheads, cottonmouths (water moccasins) and rattlesnakes. The following pictures are borrowed from http://www.texassnakes.net/pictures.html

Copperhead

With their bands of gray and/or brown, the four subspecies of Texas copperheads are colored to blend in with leaf-covered forest floors. It's possible to stare right at a copperhead without seeing it.

Fortunately, copperheads are the least dangerous poisonous snake. Because they are so well camouflaged, most bites occur when a snake is accidentally picked up or sat or laid on. Always use care when picking up or flipping over logs, boards, old tin or other items where copperheads may be resting.

Coral

Only one species of coral snake is native to Texas. Shy and rarely seen, it has, in order, brilliant red, yellow and black colors. (Other, harmless snakes have similar colors in a different order. The rhyme "red and yellow kill a fellow" has helped many remember that the coral snake's red and yellow colors touch, but the harmless milk snake's red and yellow don't touch.) The coral snake has a small mouth, and is usually non-aggressive. Its bites are dangerous, but extremely rare.

Bite may be painless, slow onset of paralysis, impaired breathing. mortalities rare, but high without anti venom and mechanical respiration. Remember which is dangerous by the following:

Red on black, poison lack;
Red on yellow, kill a fellow.
or
Red touch yellow, kill a fellow
red touch black, friend of Jack!

Cottonmouth water moccasin

Grows up to 5 ft. long, wetlands of southern U.S. from Virginia to Texas. Mortality low, but tissue destruction can be extensive The cottonmouth, or water moccasin, rarely strays far from water and can be found in marshes, swamps, ponds, lakes, ditches, and canals in East and Central Texas and along the Gulf coast.

It is a stubby, muscular snake and can grow to nearly six feet. Moccasins can bite underwater. These snakes can be very defensive and sometimes aggressive. Swimmers, bathers and anglers on river banks should always keep an eye open for these snakes.

Common Snake Myths All of the statements listed below are false
1. Snakes always travel in pairs. This is false. Exceptions to the rule: during breeding season (usually April-June) you may see males and females together.	7. Most venomous snakes can jump at least 2 feet. Remember - snakes don't have legs! They can't jump.
2. Coral snakes have rear fangs. Coral snakes actually have front, fixed and grooved fangs which provide a primitive delivery of venom (compared to pit vipers).	8. Rattlesnakes can hear their rattle. It's difficult to hear when you don't have ears.
3. Coral snakes can only bite small, thin areas. Coral snakes can bite anything its mouth can grip. Its mouth is larger than it appears.	9. Snakes won't cross a hemp rope. Snakes don't care about ropes. They will cross anything they can get over.
4. Coral snakes have to chew to inject their venom. Coral snakes bite and hold on to inject their venom.	10. Snakes spit. Not the ones in Texas. The clumps of foam-looking spittle found on blackberry bushes and vines in Texas are often thought to be "snake spit," but the fact is, this foam is produced by Spittle Bugs.
5. Cottonmouths cannot bite underwater. How do you think they catch water prey, such as fish?	11. Venomous snakes have triangular heads. So do a great number of the NON-venomous. Most snakes have a triangular looking head. This is not a good way to determine between venomous and non-venomous.
6. Snakes always chase you when they are scared. If a snake comes quickly in your direction, it is most likely because it is confused. Its goal is to get away from you.	12. It's definitely a rattlesnake... I heard it! Most snakes (both venomous and non-venomous) rattle their tails when startled and when hitting leaves, brush or anything its touching can resemble the sound of a rattlesnake.

NON-VENOMOUS SNAKES

Broad banded water	Brown	Buttermilk

Diamond backed water	Garter	Hognose

Juvenile Texas Rat snake	King	Rat snake

Ribbon	Rough Earth	Texas Rat snake

Yellow belly racer	Yellow belly water

NON-VENOMOUS SNAKES