The color and pattern of coral snakes is the best way to identify this species, as it lacks other common characteristics of venomous snakes such as a rattle, elliptical eyes, and heat sensing pits. Coral snakes have bright yellow, red, and black bands. However, there are always exceptions to these characteristics. For example, the Black Mamba snake which is found in Eastern and Southern Africa is extremely venomous, yet it is solid brown in color. [2] X Research source

Non-venomous snakes usually have rounded faces, however, some can flatten their heads to look more arrow-like if they feel threatened.

Rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths all have elliptical eyes.

To see if a snake has heat-sensing pits you will have to be very close to it, which is not recommended. This characteristic is useful if you are trying to identify snakes based on a picture or video instead. Most venomous snakes in the U. S. are part of the pit viper group of snakes. This group includes rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths. This is just a guideline, since pythons and boas also have heat pits, but they just look a bit different.

A rattling sound or seeing a rattle on the end of a snake’s tail is the best way to tell rattlesnakes apart from other venomous species. Despite not having a rattle, copperhead snakes can sometimes make a rattling sound as they move through leaves. Regardless of if the snake is a rattlesnake or a copperhead, it’s safest to vacate the area if you hear the sound, rather than trying to work out what species it is.

Although some harmless species share a similar pattern to copperheads, it’s best to avoid the snake if you notice an hourglass pattern.

Cottonmouths are often confused with water snakes, a non-venomous species. Water snakes have a similar body pattern but are much thinner and more slender.

For example, adult black racer snakes are harmless and are either a solid black or bluish-grey. Rough green snakes are solid green in color, and worm snakes are fully brown. [11] X Research source Some common non-venomous snakes that have solid yet differing colors for the body and belly include the Northern redbelly snake (black body and a red belly), the ringneck snake (black body and a yellow belly), and the Southeastern crowned snake (tan body and a white or pink belly). These characteristics are just a general guideline, as there are always exceptions to the rule when identifying snakes. For example, the non-venomous king snake has very similar coloring to the venomous coral snake. When in doubt, it’s safest to just avoid the snake. [12] X Research source

It’s best to use this method only with a shed snakeskin, as it can be dangerous to get too close to an unidentified snake.

Avoid getting close enough to the snake to see if it has fangs or not. It’s best to use the presence of absence of fangs as an identifying characteristic for snakes in pictures or videos.

There are also websites that provide maps about where common species of snakes are found. Online resources are ideal for identifying snakes because you can utilize them from either your computer or smartphone, and they are free to use.

If you can’t find a general snake reference guide, try to find one that is specifically written about your location. For example, Amphibians and Reptiles in Minnesota by John J. Moriarty and Carol D. Hall is an ideal reference book to start with if you want to identify snakes in Minnesota.

Even if you don’t want to identify a snake on the spot, a snake identification app can help you to learn more about the snakes in your region. Many countries and regions have snake identification apps. There are apps for Africa, India, and several states in the U. S. [17] X Research source