How to Identify Kentucky’s Four Venomous Snake Species

I follow a Facebook group called “Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio Snake Identification and Education.” It’s really active, with factors publishing snake photos throughout the day every day and asking what they are. Pretty easy. And really–as the title says–EDUCATIONAL.

Identifying Kentucky’s Venomous Snakes

But the administrators are lethal major about posts. The 2 huge things are 1) do not publish photos of dead snakes, and 2) DO NOT hypothesize about what a snake may be if you do not understand, for the function of safety.

So I have actually seen a variety of posts of poisonous snake photos from Kentucky. And yes, regardless of the title, the majority of the images do originate from Kentucky. But what I’ve found out is how carefully safe snakes look like among the poisonous ones (copperhead). If you understand the subtle distinctions, you’re great. But a number of us do not. So I believed it would be important as we head into the thick of the summer season to arrange that out.

Copperheads

I’ve sought advice from an useful guide from the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, and they kept in mind, right up front, the variety of snakes that are killed each year under the misconception they’re copperheads.

In Kentucky, the copperhead can differ in basic pigmentation from reddish brown (coppery-red) to brown, which resembles numerous of the typical safe types. However, a good recognizing particular for copperheads is the chestnut crossbands that are large on the side of the body and narrower throughout the back.

I recognize that when a copperhead or among its lookalikes makes a look, it may be difficult to take a close appearance. Still–and undoubtedly–it’s simply good to understand.

Copperheads can be discovered (if you’re looking) all over Kentucky.

Western Cottonmouth

When it concerns western cottonmouths, habits is an essential thing to observe given that their markings aren’t easily obvious. Whereas a water snake may simply dive into the closest body of water, its doppelganger will do this (which would immobilize me with worry):

Cottonmouths typically stand their ground in an open-mouthed danger screen, revealing the whitish interior of the mouth, and typically quickly vibrate their tail.

In my camp, that’s a firm NOPE.

Timber Rattlesnake

I’ve just ever come across one poisonous snake, and I didn’t even see it. I didn’t require to, however, since its RATTLE came through loud and clear. We were examining the Gila Cliff Dwellings in New Mexico. After that telltale and bone-chilling noise, my uncle went and looked after it. No, he didn’t eliminate it. He ran it off. So I was 8 when I found out Uncle Charles was a snake whisperer. There are no western diamondbacks in Kentucky, however we do have lumber rattlers, and they have actually the included beauty of being the LARGEST poisonous snake in the Commonwealth. Now here’s the important things with these men…unlike rattlesnakes that will shake a tailfeather when alarmed, lumber rattles will do so when PROVOKED. If you hear one…YIKES. If you see one, you’ll see this:

It is a heavy-bodied snake with dark, often V-shaped crossbands, on a yellow, gray, brown or often greenish background color. The crossbands are constantly present other than on entirely black people, which sometimes take place.

Timber rattlers can be discovered all over in Kentucky other than the northern Bluegrass area.

Western Pygmy Rattlesnake

This is the least typical types of poisonous snake in Kentucky, as it is just discovered down around the lakes and, particularly, in Calloway, Lyon, and Trigg Counties. I wager they’d like for them to fan out, if you ask me. The pygmy rattler’s primary color is gray. You would likewise see dark areas or brief bars–and often a rust-colored stripe–on its back. Those bars and areas may likewise be on its side. They’re really sort of lovely, you understand, for snakes. But here’s where its gets dicey for me:

It has a slim tail and really little rattle that can be difficult to hear; and has actually been compared to the noise of a pest buzzing.

See, I believed we had a deal. Those rattles are expected to alert us, so how about you people increase the volume? What state?

Although the KDFWR ensures us that snakebites are unusual, it’s constantly best to be gotten ready for an emergency situation.

The finest practice is to listen thoroughly, see carefully, and do not make them mad. To paraphrase a quote from the old Incredible Hulk television series, “you will not like them when they’re mad.”