Snakes typically have one of three pupil shapes: Take careful note of the shape, as it might be an identification tie-breaker later.ĭifferent groups of snakes also have different eyes and specifically, pupil shapes. The Eastern milk snake has a rounded, almost bullet-like head. The ringneck snake has round pupils, unlike pit vipers which have elliptical pupils. For instance, pit vipers have wide, flattened heads. The shape of a snake’s head can be a distinguishing characteristic too. Most professional field guides have distribution maps that you can check.īy taking note of where you find the snake, geographically, you can look only for species found in that area. Most species, whether snakes or other creatures, have a well-defined distribution. They’ll live anywhere where the small mammals they feed on are abundant. Species like the Eastern ribbon snake and black rat snake are exceptions. The timber rattlesnake prefers rocky hillsides covered with trees. The Northern water snake only lives near freshwater sources like rivers and marshes.įor example, the Northern water snake only lives near freshwater sources like rivers or marshes. By taking note of the habitat type where you find a snake, you can narrow down your identification list to include species that use that habitat. Most snakes prefer a specific habitat type. The only exception is if you find a baby snake, which hasn’t reached its full length. You can use the length guideline for any species to tell you whether a snake you found could be that species. Its large size sets it instantly apart from species like the Eastern worm snake which has a maximum length of under two feet. The Eastern Garter snake is a long snake, an identification characteristic which sets it apart from smaller species.īy taking note of a species’ average length and maximum length (the absolute largest snake ever recorded for a species) you can easily narrow down the identification for a species you find.įor example, the timber rattlesnake is a large snake, reaching sizes of over five feet. While some specimens receive the genetics to grow longer, it’s not a common occurrence. Most snakes reach an average length beyond which they’ll never grow. ![]() The locality and habitat type where you find the snakeīelow, we’ll take a closer look at why these things are important.When you’re learning to identify snakes, you need to take note of some essential traits, such as: I’ll also share pictures of some of the snake species and a wealth of resources to help you deal with the snakes native to your area. How to recognize the two venomous species in the region.How to react when you discover a snake in the wild.Related Articles to Massachusetts Snakes Identification Guide.Most Common New England Snakes (Including Massachusetts).Quickly Identifying Venomous Snake Species.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |