Snakes : how to identify and recognize them?

Have you ever wondered how to identify and recognize snakes? Even though there are “only” 12 species of snake in France (8 species of garter snake and 4 species of viper), it might come in handy if you come across one of these little beasts. It's always a good idea to avoid a dangerous snake bite 😅 ! In this detailed article, you'll discover that identifying a snake is actually quite simple when you know how to go about it.

1) Recognize a Snake

A) How to Recognize a Snake among all reptiles?

Before learning how to Recognize Snakes, you must first review some essential basics! 👩‍🏫

Snakes are part of the class of animals known as reptiles (Reptilia), in the order Squamata (which also includes lizards). Finally, they belong to the suborder Serpents.

In other words, they belong to a Family of Animals with dry, scaly skin that lay hard-shelled eggs on land (the snake is oviparous 🥚). They depend on the external heat of their environment to maintain their body temperature. Snakes are limbless predators with elongated bodies. Snakes in France feed mainly on rodents, amphibians and small mammals.

They do not have an opening that serves as an external ear, nor eyelids. A snake therefore cannot blink 😉! Their eyes are covered with a transparent scale similar to a contact lens, which is shed with the snake's skin several times a year when it sheds.

Knowing whether it sheds its entire body skin at once is one thing that can help you Identify a Reptile as a Snake.

The presence of a long, forked tongue with two tips is also a clue to identify snakes 🐍. Snakes rely on their tongue to find a lot of information. They do not smell through their nostrils like mammals, but rather use their tongue to collect odors and insert them into their palate where the Jacobson's Organ is located. This organ helps the snake interpret different odors and guides snakes to food or potential breeding mates, but also allows them to spot potential danger.

 B) How to Practice Snake Identification?

Snakes are Ectotherms, which means they rely on external heat to maintain their body temperature 🔥/🧊. So, in parts of the world where it is warm all year round, such as the tropics and subtropics, snakes can be seen at any time of the year. While in more temperate or colder regions (like in France), snakes are only active during the warmer months. In some areas, snakes hibernate for several months of the year.

Snakes are found in a wide variety of habitats such as forests, woodlands, fields, meadows, mountains, grasslands, riparian areas, wetlands, swamps and many other natural habitats 🌲. Some species of snakes also live in rural areas around fields, pastures and buildings. A few species even live in urban areas.

If you’re looking for snakes, consider searching in some of the habitats listed above 🔍. Look especially for places like this:

• Wood chips or bark on the ground
• Rocks
• Edges of wood
• Under large pieces of natural or man-made debris. Sheet metal or cardboard, as well as large, thin, flat rocks; make excellent hiding places for snakes.

How do you recognize a snake?

2) Identify a snake

A) How to identify a snake?

One of the easiest ways to identify a snake is to break down its Identification into key points. These points are aspects of the snake's appearance that make it unique as a group or species. There is a list of key points to remember to identify a snake 📄. This is made up of three main factors, and 5 secondary factors.

Main factors to identify a snake
Body shape: is the snake thin, long, short, thick, ...?
The first characteristic that we notice when observing a snake is the Shape of its Body. Snakes are classified into three categories: small, medium and large. Once the length is determined, the width of the snake is also to be examined. As far as possible, the actual dimensions should be collected.

•  Head Shape: Is the head shaped like an arrowhead or an oval? Are there heat pits on the snake's head? Is the snake's snout round or pointed?
• Knowing whether a snake has a Triangular or Oval Head will help with identification, but is not proof that the snake has deadly venom, or that it does not. Many venomous vipers have a triangular head. But other non-venomous snakes can have a similar head shape when they deliberately flatten their heads to appear more aggressive as a warning sign ⚠️. Venomous snakes have holes called Heat Pits on the sides of their snouts. These pits are used to detect prey.
•  Eyes: Are the snake's eyes large or small? Does it have vertical pupils (elliptical pupils), or rounded pupils? What color are its eyes?
• Eye color, pupil shape, location on the face, and eye size should all be observed in order to identify the particular snake.
• These three identifiers: body length and width, head shape, and eye characteristics, will greatly specify the Type of Species you are facing 👍.
• Secondary factors for identifying a snake
• Color: What color(s) is the snake's skin made of? Are the snake's belly and back two different colors?
• Patterns: Are there any colored patterns present on the snake's skin? What do they look like? Is the snake spotted?
• Color is generally very useful in determining the type of snake you have found 🤔. Many snakes have Distinctive Patterns. These patterns are often rectangular with darker edges. If a diamond pattern is noted on the snake, the color of this pattern should also be noted. Spots are patterns without symmetry.
• Scales: What is the texture of the scales, rough or smooth? Do any of these scales have keels (upward lines running lengthwise across the scale)? How many rows of scales are there on the snake’s skin and belly?
• Venomous snakes only have one row of scales on their belly, while non-venomous snakes have two.
• Collars and Rings: Does the snake have bands of color that completely encircle its body?
• Stripes: Is the snake striped lengthwise?

Sometimes, the difference between a harmless snake and a deadly viper comes down to a single Ring of Color 😮. The most obvious example is the coral snake and the false coral snake. The ring patterns appear as bands across the entire width of the snake.

Other identification factors can be used, such as the shape of the tail (with or without a rattle), or the particular arrangement of the scales. But these factors are only really useful for specialists in order to precisely classify species and subspecies between them. There is no Rattlesnake in France, while this species is for example quite common in the United States (the famous Rattle Snake) 🌎.

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What to do with this information?

Once you have gathered all the information, consulting a local species guide will help you refine your identification list. The characteristics noted will help you identify one or more species. Be careful because some snakes are almost identical. To differentiate them, you can use their natural habitat 🏡.

If a snake cannot be identified by its appearance alone, the Habits of the species come into play. Some snakes like rocky ground, while others like sand. Some snakes only eat certain animals or are only discovered at certain times of the day 🌖. Snakes are not found everywhere.

So, having a good knowledge of the local area will be of great help to you if you want to identify a snake yourself. When you identify snakes in the wild, it can be extremely useful to keep at least a basic Naturalist Journal 📝. The information you write in this journal can then be used later to help you find other snakes and learn more about them and their environment.

Do humans instinctively recognize snakes?

Yes, humans appear to have an instinctive ability to recognize snakes. This is supported by both evolutionary biology and psychological research. The ability to quickly detect and respond to snakes is thought to be a survival mechanism developed over millions of years, when early humans and their primate ancestors needed to avoid these potentially dangerous predators.

Here’s why humans seem to have this instinctive recognition:

1. Evolutionary Origins (Snake Detection Theory)

• The Snake Detection Theory, proposed by anthropologist Lynne Isbell, suggests that the evolution of primate vision was heavily influenced by the need to detect snakes. Since snakes were one of the earliest and most dangerous predators to primates, the ability to quickly recognize them became crucial for survival.
• Over time, the brain developed specialized neural pathways to detect the shape and movement of snakes, particularly the parts of the brain involved in fear and visual processing.

2. Neurological Evidence

• Brain Activity: Studies using brain imaging have shown that specific areas of the brain, particularly the amygdala, which is involved in processing fear, light up more strongly when people see images of snakes compared to other stimuli like flowers or birds. This happens even in individuals who do not have a conscious fear of snakes.
• Rapid Response: Research has found that humans can detect images of snakes faster than other animals or objects, suggesting that we are hardwired to recognize their shape or movement almost instinctively.

3. Behavioral Studies

• Children’s Fear of Snakes: Experiments have shown that young children, even those who have never encountered snakes before, can quickly learn to associate snakes with danger. Some studies suggest that humans, especially young children, have a natural wariness of snakes, which could explain why many people develop a fear of them more easily than they do for other animals.
• Visual Pop-Out Effect: In visual search tasks, people tend to spot snakes faster than other objects, even when those objects are similarly shaped. This suggests that snake detection happens almost automatically, and our brains are particularly sensitive to their form.

4. Cultural Significance

• Cross-Cultural Fear: Across different cultures and regions, snakes have been seen as symbols of danger or threat, indicating that this instinctive recognition might be universal among humans.
• Mythology and Folklore: Snakes have long been present in human mythologies, often associated with danger, fear, or the unknown, which may be a reflection of this deep-seated evolutionary fear.

5. Impact of Conditioning

• Learned Behavior: While the fear or aversion to snakes may have an instinctive base, it can also be reinforced by learning. A person who encounters a snake in a dangerous situation may develop a heightened fear of snakes that strengthens this instinctive reaction.

In summary, humans likely possess an innate ability to recognize snakes, driven by evolutionary pressures to avoid these dangerous predators. This instinct is deeply rooted in our biology and manifests in rapid visual recognition, heightened brain activity, and an almost automatic response to the sight of a snake

How do you detect the presence of a snake?

What is the identifying character of snake?

B) How to Recognize a Venomous Snake?

A Venomous Snake is a snake that uses its venom to neutralize or kill its prey.

There is no foolproof way to know if a snake is poisonous 🤷‍♂️. There is almost always an exception to the rules. But to classify venomous and non-venomous snakes as best you can, this is done exclusively by analyzing the morphology of the snake.

There are very few tricks that can be used to determine the toxicity of a snake. The only really effective one is the shape of the pupil 👁️. However, be careful: if all snakes with slit-shaped pupils are venomous, not all venomous snakes have slit-shaped pupils. This single Eye Analysis of a Snake is often difficult to establish, because you have to get very close to the snake to make a decision...

In reality, snake experts use a methodical system to Categorize and Identify a snake once it has been found: this is the identification process we have just presented to you! These guidelines are then checked against a reference book or site. Many seasoned experts can distinguish a snake by its visual aspect alone 👌 . But for the rest of the population, the step-by-step identification process is the most practical.

Remember: all snakes have roughly triangular heads, and most have colors and patterns on their skin. So these clues will not help you much. When in doubt, leave that snake you found under a rock alone 😅! There are very few Deadly Snakes in France, but if by some misfortune you come across a venomous viper, its venom could put you in real danger. If you want to know more about Snake Venom, we invite you to consult the article we wrote on the subject!

There are exceptions to all the rules regarding venomous snakes. The two most famous being the Black Mamba and the Coral Snake. The Coral Snake is one of the deadliest snakes of all with its neurotoxic venom that attacks the nervous system. However, it does not have any of the characteristics that indicate danger in snakes 😕. It has a rounded head and round pupils. The Coral is much more colorful than other snakes, and is much less common. There is a trick to check that you are indeed facing a Real Coral Snake: red touches black, it is safe. Red touches yellow: do not approach!

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3)Snakes in the USA

The United States is home to a wide variety of snake species, ranging from harmless non-venomous snakes to venomous ones. Here’s an overview of the types of snakes commonly found in the U.S., divided into non-venomous and venomous categories:

A)Non-Venomous Snakes

These snakes are generally harmless to humans and play an important role in controlling pest populations like rodents.

1. Garter Snake (Thamnophis spp.)

   • Description: Small to medium-sized with green, brown, or grayish bodies and a distinctive stripe down their backs.
   • Habitat: Found across the U.S. in forests, grasslands, and near water sources.
   • Behavior: Non-aggressive, often found in gardens and fields. They eat small rodents, amphibians, and insects.

2. Rat Snake (Pantherophis spp.)

   • Description: Long, slender snakes, often black or gray, though some have yellow or orange patterns.
   • Habitat: Found in forests, fields, and even urban areas.
   • Behavior: Excellent climbers. They feed on small mammals, birds, and eggs, making them useful for rodent control.

3. Kingsnake (Lampropeltis spp.)

   • Description: Kingsnakes come in various colors, often with bold patterns (stripes or bands) of black, white, red, or yellow.
   • Habitat: Found in forests, deserts, and grasslands across the U.S.
   • Behavior: Known for eating other snakes, including venomous species. They are immune to the venom of some venomous snakes like rattlesnakes.

4. Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum)

   • Description: Recognizable by their red, black, and white or yellow bands, often mistaken for coral snakes.
   • Habitat: Found in forests, fields, and farmlands.
   • Behavior: Non-aggressive and feeds on small animals, often hiding under rocks or logs.

5. Corn Snake (Pantherophis guttatus)

   • Description: Typically orange or brownish-yellow with large, reddish blotches.
   • Habitat: Found in the southeastern U.S. in fields, woodlands, and farms.
   • Behavior: Non-aggressive and excellent at controlling rodent populations.

B)Venomous Snakes

These snakes pose a greater risk to humans due to their venom, but most will only bite if provoked or threatened.

1. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)

   • Description: Large, heavy-bodied with a distinctive diamond pattern along its back.
   • Habitat: Southeastern U.S., primarily in pine forests, coastal plains, and dry areas.
   • Behavior: Highly venomous and can be aggressive if threatened, but generally avoids human contact. Its rattle serves as a warning.

2. Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)

   • Description: Similar to the eastern species but found in the western U.S. with a grayish-brown or tan color.
   • Habitat: Desert and arid regions of the southwestern U.S.
   • Behavior: Known for its loud rattle. It can strike from a distance but prefers to avoid humans.

3. Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)

   • Description: Medium-sized with a copper-colored head and bands of reddish-brown across the body.
   • Habitat: Found in forests, rocky areas, and near water across the eastern and central U.S.
   • Behavior: Usually non-aggressive and relies on camouflage. Bites are rarely fatal but can be painful.

4. Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin) (Agkistrodon piscivorus)

   • Description: Thick-bodied with dark brown or black coloration. Known for its white, cotton-like mouth interior.
   • Habitat: Found in wetlands, swamps, rivers, and lakes in the southeastern U.S.
   • Behavior: Semi-aquatic and often swims in water. It can be aggressive, especially when cornered. Its bite is highly venomous.

5. Coral Snake (Micrurus spp.)

   • Description: Small, brightly colored with red, yellow, and black bands. The mnemonic "Red touch yellow, kill a fellow; red touch black, friend of Jack" helps distinguish it from non-venomous mimics like the milk snake.
   • Habitat: Southeastern U.S. in forests, sandy areas, and underbrush.
   • Behavior: Shy and reclusive, bites are rare but its venom is neurotoxic, making it highly dangerous.

6. Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus)

   • Description: Greenish or light brown with diamond-shaped markings.
   • Habitat: Found in deserts and arid regions of the southwestern U.S.
   • Behavior: Considered one of the most venomous rattlesnakes in the U.S., due to its potent neurotoxic venom.

Snake Safety Tips

• Stay Calm: Most snakes will not attack unless provoked. Back away slowly if you encounter one.
• Avoid Handling Wild Snakes: Even non-venomous snakes can bite if they feel threatened.
• Wear Protective Clothing: When hiking in snake-prone areas, wear boots and long pants.
• Look Before Stepping: Be cautious around logs, rocks, and tall grass where snakes may hide.
• Listen for Rattling: If you're in rattlesnake territory, listen for the telltale rattle as a warning.

In the U.S., the majority of snake species are non-venomous and beneficial for the ecosystem. While venomous snakes exist, they typically avoid human contact, and snakebites are relatively rare.

4) Your Snake Label® shop

If you've come this far, it's because just like us you must be a snake enthusiast 🐍! We founded Snake Label® with the aim of showcasing this magnificent animal in everyday life. You can therefore find on our site a wide range of products centered around the theme of snakes:

T-Shirts, Sweatshirts & Sweaters, and Jackets printed in High Definition, with 3D snake heads and patterns
Snake-shaped Rings, Necklaces and Bracelets to add an original touch to your outfit
Pictures and Keyrings bearing the image of this sumptuous animal, ideal for all enthusiasts!
Our collections are constantly growing and we export our products free of charge all over the world!

See you soon on the shop! 😉