Snake Pictures
Poisonous Snakes of the United States
Poisonous Snake Index Pictures of Snakes
Repelling Snakes Trapping Snakes
This page contains pictures of the poisonous snakes found in the United
States. To view the pictures, click on the thumbnail image of your choice. To
return to this page, click the Back Button on your browser. Above the thumbnail
image of each snake, there is a link which will allow you to click through to each
individual snake's information page. All snake pictures will enlarge to show
detailed photographs and the regions in the United States where the particular snake is
normally found.
Our thanks to Dr. Andrew Kouloulis, noted herpetologist, for permission to use his
research and pictures provided on these pages. Most of our snake information taken
from Dr. Kouloulis' Poisonous Snake Chart.
| Black-Tailed
Rattlesnake Crotalus m. molossus
|
| Canebrake Rattlesnake Crotalus h. atricaudatus
|
| Copperheads (Agkistrodon Contortrix)
|
| Coral snakes (Micrurus Fulvius)
|
| Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon Piscivorus)
|
| Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Crotalus adamanteus
|
| Massasauga
Rattlesnake Sistrurus c. catenatus
|
| Mojave Rattlesnake Crotalus s. scutulatus
|
| Pacific Rattlesnake Crotalus v. oreganus
|
| Pigmy Rattlesnake Sistrurus m. barbouri
|
| Prairie Rattlesnake Crotalus v. viridus
|
| Sidewinders Crotalus cerastes
|
| Speckled Rattlesnake Crotalus m. pyrrhus
|
| Timber Rattlesnake Crotalus horridus
|
| Western Diamond Back Rattlesnake Crotalus atrox
|
Western Diamond Back Rattlesnake
Characteristics of Pit Viper Snakes:
- Large fangs; nonpoisonous snakes have small teeth.
- The two fangs of a poisonous snake are hollow and work like a hypodermic needle.
- Pupils resemble vertical slits.
- Presence of a pit. Pit vipers have a telltale pit between the eye and the mouth. The pit, a heat-sensing organ, makes it possible for the snake to accurately strike a warm-blooded victim, even if the snake cannot see the victim.
- A triangular or arrowhead shaped head.
- The rattlesnake often shakes its rattles as a warning, BUT NOT ALWAYS!
One snake that is not a pit viper snake but is poisonous is the coral snake. The coral snake is highly poisonous and resembles a number of nonpoisonous snakes. It does not have fangs and has round pupils. Because its mouth is so small and its teeth are short, most coral snakes inflict bites on the toes and fingers. They have to chew the skin a while to inject venom. Coral snakes are small and ringed with red, yellow, and black. The chances for recovery of a snakebite are great if the patient receives care within two hours of the bite.
Our thanks and gratitude to Dr. Andrew Kouloulis, noted herpetologist, for permission to use his research and pictures provided on these pages. Information taken from Dr. Kouloulis' Poisonous Snake Chart.