Venomous vs. Non-Venomous Snakes: How to Tell the Difference

Finding a snake in your yard, garage, or home is unsettling — but the vast majority of the 3,000+ snake species in North America are completely harmless. In the United States, only about 20 species are venomous, and fatal snakebites are rare (fewer than 10 per year).

That said, knowing how to identify a venomous snake is genuinely important. Here's a practical guide.

Range: Found in every US state except Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, Rhode Island, and Delaware. Most species concentrated in the Southwest.

Key identification features:

• Rattle at the tail tip (though young rattlesnakes may have only a small button)
• Triangular, arrow-shaped head distinctly wider than the neck
• Heat-sensing pit between the eye and nostril (pit vipers)
• Vertical, elliptical pupils
• Heavy, thick body relative to length

Common species: Western diamondback, Eastern diamondback, timber rattlesnake, prairie rattlesnake, sidewinder, copperhead-colored pygmy rattlesnake

Behavior: Rattlesnakes typically rattle as a warning before striking. They are not aggressive and prefer to avoid confrontation.

Range: Eastern and central United States — from Massachusetts south to Florida, west to Nebraska and Texas.

Key identification features:

• Distinctive hourglass-shaped crossbands in copper/brown tones
• Triangular head, heat-sensing pit
• Copper-colored head (hence the name)
• 2–3 feet long, moderately heavy body

Habitat: Wooded areas, rocky hillsides, suburban neighborhoods with leaf litter. Copperheads are the most common venomous snakebite in the eastern US — largely because they blend in perfectly with fallen leaves and are slow to move away.

Range: Southeastern United States — Virginia south to Florida, west to Texas and Oklahoma.

Key identification features:

• Dark olive, brown, or black coloration (often banded in juveniles)
• Distinctive white interior of mouth (the "cotton") displayed as a threat
• Triangular head, thick body
• Often found near water — swamps, streams, ponds, drainage ditches

Behavior: Cottonmouths are more aggressive than most US snakes and will stand their ground rather than flee. They are excellent swimmers.

Range: Two species: Eastern coral snake (Southeast US) and Western coral snake (Arizona, New Mexico).

Key identification features:

• Bright red, yellow, and black banding
• Round pupils (unlike pit vipers)
• Small, narrow head not distinctly wider than neck
• Slender body

The rhyme: "Red touches yellow, kill a fellow. Red touches black, friend of Jack." This applies to US coral snakes — red bands adjacent to yellow bands indicate a coral snake. (Note: this rhyme does not apply outside the US.)

Behavior: Coral snakes are shy and rarely bite. They must chew to inject venom, unlike pit vipers which strike and release.

These are guidelines, not guarantees — always maintain a safe distance:

Important caveat: Several harmless snakes mimic venomous species. The hognose snake flattens its head to appear triangular. The milk snake mimics the coral snake's banding. Water snakes flatten their bodies when threatened. Never rely on a single feature.

1. Do not approach or attempt to handle it — most bites occur when people try to catch or kill snakes
2. Keep children and pets away
3. Observe from a safe distance — if it's non-venomous, it will likely move on
4. Call a professional if it's venomous, if it's inside a structure, or if you're unsure of the species

A snake inside your home is almost always a non-venomous species that entered through a gap in the foundation, a door gap, or a utility penetration. However:

1. Do not corner it — a cornered snake will defend itself
2. Open a door or window and give it an exit route
3. Call a professional if you cannot identify it or if it's in a location where removal is difficult

1. Stay calm — elevated heart rate speeds venom absorption
2. Call 911 immediately for any suspected venomous bite
3. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut and suck the wound, or apply ice
4. Remove rings and watches from the affected limb (swelling occurs rapidly)
5. Keep the bite below heart level while waiting for help
6. Note the snake's appearance if possible — do not attempt to capture it

Snakes follow their food source. If you have mice, rats, or other rodents in your home, snakes will follow. They also enter through:

• Gaps in foundation walls
• Unsealed utility penetrations (pipes, conduit)
• Gaps under doors
• Crawl space vents

Addressing a snake problem often means addressing a rodent problem first.

If you have a venomous snake on your property or snakes repeatedly entering your home, professional removal and exclusion is the safest solution. Our licensed technicians:

• Safely remove venomous and non-venomous snakes
• Identify and seal entry points
• Address underlying rodent issues that attract snakes
• Provide written documentation of the removal

Call (800) 319-1556 for same-day snake removal. We serve 32+ cities nationwide.

Find your city to confirm we serve your area.