Snakes, with their sinuous movements and captivating eyes, have slithered their way into human myth and lore for centuries. Some are revered for their grace and prowess as predators, while others strike fear with their venomous fangs.
But beneath the scales lies a fascinating world of diversity, where the line between venomous and non-venomous can sometimes be surprisingly blurry.
What is the difference between a venomous and a non-venomous snake? (Photo : YURI CORTEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
There are more than 2,500 different types of snakes, and it can be challenging to identify which ones are poisonous or not. This article include some essential guidelines in this post to help you determine if a snake is poisonous or not.
The existence of fangs
The front teeth of venomous snakes, or fangs, are where the venom is stored. Non-venomous snakes in the forest do not have them. Be mindful of any snake you come across that has fangs.
The tiny, hooked teeth of non-venomous snakes, on the other hand, are not as lethal as those of venomous snakes. That does not imply that you do not require medical attention if bitten by a non-venomous snake.
Head shape
The venomous snake's head shape, which is triangular and broad at the base, is the next notable distinction. This is a common distinction between snakes that are venomous and those that are not.
Conversely, non-venomous snakes are narrow at the base and have rounder heads. Sometimes a non-venomous snake will change from having a rounded head to a triangular head out of fear or threat, giving you a mistaken sense that the snake is venomous.
The pupils' form
The pupil's shape is the next important distinction between venomous and non-venomous snakes. When you gaze at venomous snakes, their pupils, which resemble cats' eyes and are vertical or elliptical, are quite frightening. It may have appeared in Anaconda motion pictures.
Conversely, non-venomous snakes share our round pupils, which makes them less frightening, but they will attack you if you venture into their domain.
Presence of pits
The existence of pits is the next distinction between venomous and non-venomous snakes. In order for venomous snakes to detect their prey's temperature and choose when to attack, they have pits around their noses and between their two eyes.
However, these kinds of pits surrounding the nose and eyes are absent in non-venomous snakes.
Marks in color
This may not be the most reliable method of distinguishing between venomous and non-poisonous snakes, but it can offer you some indications. For example, venomous snakes tend to have vivid colors and distinct markings, such as spots or strikes.
Non-venomous snakes, on the other hand, have colors that are solid and drab and don't really pique your imagination. Certain non-venomous snakes, like the brown or yellow scarlet kingsnake, have vivid colors.
The rattling is present
The rattle on the tails of venomous and non-venomous snakes is the next distinguishing feature. While not all poisonous snakes have rattles on their tails, the majority do. If the snake detects any predators around, it will utilize this rattle to alert them. You should not proceed further if you hear any rattles since there may be poisonous snakes nearby.
Conversely, the tails of non-venomous snakes are not rattled. If you come across a snake that doesn't have a rattle, it's likely not poisonous.
What characteristics of venomous and non-venomous snakes are similar?
There are several commonalities as well as significant distinctions between venomous and non-venomous snakes. Since both varieties of snakes are cold-blooded, their body temperature is determined by the sun. They both perceive their environment with their forked tongues as well.
By looking at their behavior, venomous and non-venomous snakes might be hard to distinguish. When trapped or taken by surprise, either species of snake can behave aggressively.
Every snake is a carnivore, meaning it eats meat. Snakes consume fish, amphibians, birds, insects, small animals, rodents, and eggs.
Snakes stop moving after eating while they process their meal. Digestion is a laborious process, particularly following the ingestion of huge prey.
In species that only feed irregularly, the digestive tract is "up-regulated" to full capacity within 48 hours following prey ingestion, and the entire gut enters a decreased condition between meals to preserve energy.
