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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Few people want to encounter a snake. While some bites result in just a painful sting, others can be dangerous if you come too close to one of Alabama’s six venomous snake species.
The key to avoiding these dangerous bites? Knowing how to distinguish between venomous and nonvenomous snakes that inhabit Alabama.
According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), “Many snakes found in Alabama are nonvenomous but are often mistaken for the six venomous snake species we have in Alabama.”
The department states that taking the time to learn the difference is beneficial when encountering a wild snake.
Venomous snakes
Copperhead
Two of the five subspecies of Copperhead are found in Alabama: the Northern Copperhead and the Southern Copperhead. The ADCNR describes the copperhead as a stout-bodied snake with a noticeably larger head than the neck. The tops of their heads are copper-colored, hence the name. The snake’s body can be light brown to tan and may appear pinkish in the southern subspecies. Both subspecies are classified as “pit vipers”, meaning they have a small hole or pit located between their eyes and nostril. They also have well-developed fangs capable of delivering venom.
Cottonmouth
The Eastern Cottonmouth, also known as a water moccasin, is a large, aquatic and highly venomous snake. They are described as being dark above, either olive, brown or black, with a lighter to darker cross-banding pattern on their bodies and sides. The average adult cottonmouth can range from 30 to 48 inches long, but some can grow up to 74 inches, according to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. This snake has keeled scales, and its vertically pupiled eyes are camouflaged by a dark, black stripe. Cottonmouths are known to vibrate their tails when excited and will raise their heads with their mouths wide open when provoked. The open mouth will appear white, giving it the name “cottonmouth”.
Timber Rattlesnake
Timber rattlesnakes are common to rare throughout Alabama, except for the extreme southern parts of the state. ADCNR states that they are heavy-bodied snakes with broad heads distinct from their slender necks. Adult timber rattlers can range from approximately 36 to 60 inches in length. Their coloration varies from black to yellow and pink and they have “dark, bent crossbands” along the posterior part of their bodies. The timber rattlesnake’s tail ends with a tan-colored rattle.
Pygmy Rattlesnake
The pygmy rattlesnake, sometimes spelled “pigmy”, is rarely encountered in the wild except in Southern Alabama. The species is believed to be in decline. They are commonly referred to as “miniature rattlesnakes” and measure 15 to 24 inches long when coiled, approximately the size of a loblolly pine cone, according to state conservation officials. The snake’s tail has a very small rattle or button, no smaller than its total tail length. ADNCR states, “When vibrated as a warning, the rattle can be difficult to hear and has been compared to the sound of an insect buzzing”.
Eastern Coral Snake
The eastern coral snake is a rarity in Alabama and is considered “rare and possibly threatened,” according to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. It is listed as a significant conservation concern for the department. The snake is described as medium-sized and slender with a short, blunt head. It has smooth scales in 15 rows that alternate between red, black, and yellow. In this snake, the red and yellow bands touch.
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Similar to the eastern coral snake, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake is considered a significant conservation concern for state officials. It was once commonly seen but is now possibly endangered. Eastern diamondbacks are Alabama’s largest venomous snakes. They can reach up to seven feet in length, have a short, stout tail with a rattle at the end. The snake’s coloration is described as having yellowish diamond patterns with black and brown centers, and a yellow to white belly. The head is large and marked with a “dark stripe extending obliquely from each eye to the lips.”
If you encounter one of these snakes, they will likely remain motionless unless touched or disturbed. In that case, the snake will coil with an erect rattler and its head near the center of the coil. It can strike from this position, covering at least two-thirds of its body length.
Non-venomous snakes:
According to outdooralabama.com, there are over 40 species of nonvenomous and aquatic snakes that inhabit Alabama.
