Snake ID Please

[toddnbecka]

Originally Posted by Pareeeee

Rat Snake.

Why does everyone think that every snake they find is a Copperhead? It seems like 90% of snake ID requests from the southern USA are asking if said snake is a Copperhead.

There are hardly any non-venomous snakes that look like a Copperhead, except for maybe certain Nerodia species from a distance.

I really wish there was better education in the US and Canada about snakes. People should really know how to tell the difference between a dangerous snake and a harmless one. :/

Ya, really, even statistically speaking what are the chances that a random snake that wanders onto your property is venomous? For that matter, even copperheads don't deserve to be killed for trespassing. They're just passing through, not looking to hand around and attack anyone.

[Zoo Nanny]

Originally Posted by toddnbecka

Ya, really, even statistically speaking what are the chances that a random snake that wanders onto your property is venomous? For that matter, even copperheads don't deserve to be killed for trespassing. They're just passing through, not looking to hand around and attack anyone.

I think this is dependent on where you live. Here in the NE it's very rare to even see snakes and the rattlesnake is protected here due to being endangered. Now living in the Southern states is a whole different ball game. I agree education is important and should be offered in the schools. Parents of young children understandably are more vigilant in areas prone to snakes and much quicker to dispose of the snake before identifying. In North Carolina where the OP is from has the highest numbers of snake bites in the country.
North Carolina #1 for snake bites - WBTV 3 News, Weather, Sports, and Traffic for Charlotte, NC