Maryland Cooperative Extension Understanding Snakes

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Maryland Cooperative ExtensionUnderstanding
Snakes
Boo!

• Terry E. Poole
• Extension Agent
• Frederick County
• Reviewed By
• Jonathan Kays
• Regional Extension Specialist
• Raymond Bosmans
• Regional Extension Director

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Unfortunately many of us are terrified of snakes.
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The problem began long ago.

• It seems that ever since that unfortunate
  encounter with the serpent in the Garden of Eden,
  many of us have remained afraid of snakes.

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Myths About Snakes

• Snakes can bite their tails and roll like a
  wheel.
• Snakes have the ability to hypnotize their prey.

NO!
NO!
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More Snake Myths

• Milk snakes received their name, because they
  have been known to suck milk directly from a
  cows udder.
• Puff adders mix poison with their breath and can
  kill a person at a distance of 25 feet.

NO!
milk
NO!
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More Snake Myths

• Old snakes have hair on them.
• Snakes sway to the music of the flute.

NO!
NO!
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More Snake Myths

• Snakes are vengeful!
• Snakes are slimy.

NO!
NO!
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More Snake Myths

• Snakes can only strike when coiled.
• Some snakes have stingers on their tail.

NO!
NO!
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More Snake Myths

• Rattlesnakes add a new link to their rattle
  every year.
• Snakes can chew their food.
• All snakes are poisonous and use it to kill
  their prey.

NO!
NO!
NO!
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More Snake Myths

• A snakes fangs can be removed.
• All snakes lay eggs.
• Mortally wounded snakes wont die until sundown.

Yes and No!
NO!
NO!
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What are these snakes?Are they poisonous?

• Garter Snakes
• They are non-venomous.

Oh no!
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Is this another garter snake?

• Yes it is another garter snake. They can come
  in various shades and colors.

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What are these snakes?Are they poisonous?

• Corn Snakes
• They are non-venomous.

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What is this snake?I bet that you think this one
is poisonous!

• This is a corn snake too. They can vary in
  color.
• It too is non-venomous.

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What is this snake?Should you fear it?

• Eastern Milk Snake
• No, it is
  non-venomous.

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Do you know this snake?Have you seen it around
here?

• Coral Snake
• It is very venomous, Red touch yellow, kill a
  fellow.
• It can be found in south Florida.

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What is this cute little snake?Do you think that
it is dangerous?

• Ring-neck Snake
• It is non-venomous..

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What are these snakes?They are scary looking,
are they dangerous?

• Black Rat Snakes
• They are non-venomous and are good snakes to
  have around the farm.

Baby Black Rat Snake
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Black Rat Snakes will climb

• They will climb trees and feed on birds.
• They have been known to climb up a brick wall.
• They will climb up into the rafters of the barn.

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This is how snakes eat their food.

• All snakes swallow their food whole.
• There are no vegetarian snakes.

Excuse me, I cant talk with my mouth full.
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What is this black snake?

• Black Racer
• It is non-venomous. But it has a
  nasty temper.

Oh no, not again!
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What are these snakes?Are they dangerous?

• King Snakes
• They are non-venomous.
• They love to eat other snakes.

Note Beware of snake crossing
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This should be an easy snake to name.Do you
think that it is venomous?

• Rough Green Snake
• Its a harmless little snake found around the
  area.

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Northern Water Snake

• This snake prefers permanently aquatic habitats.
• It will flatten its head when threatened and
  will strike and bite when molested.
• It is not venomous.
• Note that it will vary in color.

Baby
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Eastern Hognose Snake

• This common snake can vary greatly in
  appearance.
• If threatened it spreads its neck like a cobra
  and hiss. If that fails it rolls over, plays
  dead, and emits a foul, rotted flesh odor.
• It feeds mostly on toads and is mildly venomous,
  but no threat to people.

Playing Dead
Enjoying a Fat Toad
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This is how you can tell the difference between
venomous and nonvenomous snakes.
Arrow
Rounder
Cat
Round
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Do you know this snake?Is it poisonous?

• Copperhead
• Yes, it is venomous.

Rat Tail
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This is a feared snake in our area.

• Another look at the Copperhead

Oh no!
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Recognize this snake?Doesnt it look a lot like
the baby black snake?

• This is a baby copperhead.
• Note the yellow tip on the tail.
• It is still venomous.

Note the hour glass markings
Baby Black Rat Snake
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What are these snakes?

• Yes, its a nest of baby copperheads.

Note
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These snakes are rare, but can be found in this
area, what are they?

• Timber Rattlesnakes
• Yes, they are very venomous and are
  considered to be the most dangerous snakes
  around here.

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What are these snakes?Can they be found around
here?

• Cotton Mouth Water Moccasins
• They are not found around here. You need to go
  farther south into southern Virginia.
• They are very venomous.
• They can be found around swampy areas.

Note the cottony mouth.
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What should you do if you see a snake?

• Kill it.
• Scream and run away.
• Call the Crocodile Hunter.
• Leave it alone and move away.
• Capture and remove it.

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Thank you and good luck with your snakes!
I bet that you think this is a real snake.
Hey, look behind you!