What Species of Snake are Venomous?

Western Diamondback
Boston Science Museum, 2010

If you are attempting to decide whether or not a snake is venomous, it is important to remember that not all venomous snakes are easily recognized. There are thousands of species of snakes on the planet and hundreds of these species are venomous. It is also important to note that some venomous snake species closely resemble their non venomous cousins and vice-versa. If you are planning to attempt to handle a snake, you should seek an education in the handling and identification of these animals. You should never, under any circumstances, handle a wild snake that you don’t positively recognize to be harmless, unless you are an experienced snake handler.

The only way to be sure a snake is venomous is to be aware of what the species looks like. There is no universal red flag that tells you a snake is venomous, so be careful. There are four families of snakes that include venomous species. These are the Colubridae, Viperidae, Elapids and Hydrophiidae. Here we will discuss some of the characteristics of each family and some of the venomous species found within these families.

Hydrophiidae

Hydrophiidae are more widely known as Sea Snakes. Every species of Hydrophiidae that has been found thus far is highly venomous. These snakes are very dangerous to humans, so do not disturb them. Usually they would rather not bite you, but they will if they are threatened. It is relatively easy to recognize a Hydrophiidae because they all live in salt water and have flattened tails for swimming.

Colubridae

Colubridae make up around 75% of the world's snake population and it has been estimated that around 20% of them are venomous.  Twenty percent may not seem like a lot, but that is hundreds of species of venomous Colubrids. These snakes are found all over the world, so it is a good idea to educate yourself on the Colubrids in your area so that you can tell the difference between a harmless garter snake and a venomous Colubrid.

Viperidae

Every snake species that belongs to the Viperidae family is venomous. They have hinged fangs that fold back when they close their mouths, but inspecting a snake’s teeth is an impractical way to decide if it is venomous. However, many of these species have triangular heads and slender necks. This is not a surefire way to tell if a snake is venomous, but if you see a snake does have this triangular shape to its head, it is a good idea to leave the area carefully.

Species of Viperidae include all rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, the bushmaster, and of course vipers. Pit vipers are recognizable for the pits that appear between their nostrils and eyes.  There is one on each side. However, these cannot be seen from a distance. Rattlesnakes are recognizable for the rattles that appear on their tails. Thankfully, they shake these when threatened and it makes a distinctive noise. Unfortunately, young rattlesnakes can deliver a venomous bite, but they only have one rattle and therefore can’t make the telltale sound. Cottonmouths can be recognized when they open their jaws, which they do when they are threatened. The insides of their mouths are white, hence the name.

Elapids

All species of the Elapid family are also venomous. They tend to have shorter fangs that are fixed rather than hinged. This group contains some of the most notorious of the venomous snake species, such as cobras, mambas, kraits, taipans and coral snakes. It is very difficult to tell the difference between a coral snake and the harmless kingsnake, because they both have yellow, black and red bands over the entire length of their bodies. A good way to remember the difference between the two is to use this rhyme, “if red touches yellow, kill a fellow, if red touches black, friend of Jack.”

If you plan to spend time outdoors, pick up a field guide on snakes in that area before venturing into snake territory. If you are unfamiliar with the snakes in an area and come across one, you should treat it as if it were venomous. This means leaving the snake alone and allowing it to wander off or, if the snake is aggressive, you can leave the area immediately, being careful not to step on any other snakes.

Try to bring a friend with you whenever you wander outside; this can be helpful if you are bitten. The unafflicted person should try to remember what the snake looks like so they can describe it to a doctor. Ideally the doctor would like to see the snake, but if you cannot catch the snake safely, don’t try. It is also important to know that recently deceased snakes can still deliver venomous bites.

Sources

Stillwell, Steven E., Snake Mystique, retrieved 7/4/09, buckmasters.com/bm/resources/articles/tabid/135/articleType/ArticleT-d/919/Snake-mystique.aspx

Abby, Michael, “Viperidae” A Dictionary of Zoology 1999, retrieved 7/4/09, encyclopedia.com/doc/108-Viperidae.html

Colubrids:Colubridae-Physical Characteristic, Habitat, Diet, Behavior and reproduction, Colubrids and People, Conservation, staus-GEOGRAPHIC RANGE</a7>,retrieved 7/4/09, http//animals.jrank.org/pages/3893/Colubrids-Colubridae.htm 

Garamone, Jim, Dealing with That Snake in the Grass, retrieved 7/4/09, defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=45207

The Dumbo Octopus: Nature's Disney Character

Opisthoteuthis californiana
photo taken by NOAA

Way, way, waaaay down beneath the ocean's surface is a creature so cute that it was named after a Disney character. Dumbo octopi (Grimpoteuthis) hang out in deep ocean habitats around the world. They live so close to the ocean floor in the coldest, darkest regions of the sea that normal human fishing activity does not affect them. Chilling–quite literally–at 9,800 to 13,000+ feet below has given these roughly 17 species of umbrella octopi some rather interesting adaptations.

Chances are that you are never going to personally see a Dumbo octopus swimming around its natural habitat. (Here's a video, so you can do it from home.) This is kind of a bummer, given that these cute little octopi are roughly 8" to 12" long and have two adorable ear-like fins growing from their heads. The beak even lends to the whole "Dumbo the elephant" thing they've got going on. Beyond that, the resemblance disappears. Dumbo octopi are a blend of yellows, oranges, pinks, browns or even blues. They are largely opaque, giving them a dreamy quality as they float around using their webbed tentacles to steer.

Dumbo octopi may be the deepest dwelling of the octopus species, but that doesn't keep them safe from natural predators. Diving fish and opportunistic ocean mammals may make a meal out of a slow Dumbo. It can use its tentacles to jettison through the water, but there's no way of knowing how successful this method is for them. As for their hunting habits, their beaks allow them to swallow their prey–usually worms and small crustaceans–whole.  They just need to get in the right position for rapid ingestion.

When it comes to reproduction, Dumbo octopi are well adapted. Females have eggs in several states of development throughout the year. Males inject their semen into the females, who can store it until conditions for laying eggs on the ocean floor are right. She will use the sperm when she needs it and move on with her life.

You may not be likely to encounter a Grimpoteuthis, but I think it's worth knowing there are adorable little partially see-through octopi floating around at the bottom of the ocean. It really contrasts my view of hideous anglerfish creeping out of the dark to razor-bite the dookie out of anyone who dares venture into the deep.