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How to Identify Common Snakes
Its mostly impossible to know if its a common snake or not, but these steps may help you! (Don't forget that venomous snakes can still be common!)
Identifying snakes is relatively easy, even for beginners, following a few easy steps.
 
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Steps
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1Know your location. Understanding exactly which species of snakes live in your area greatly affects which snakes you think you've found. If you live in the Eastern United States, chances are, that cool snake you found isn't a Black Mamba or any other deadly snake.
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2Note the color and pattern of the snake. This is the most notable visible form of identification for the snake. Refer to a field guide from your local library to match the color and pattern you see to a specific list of possible species, but be careful! Some venomous snakes mimic non venomous ones!
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3Note the size of the specimen. Snake species always have a typical range of lengths and girths that will help in the identification of the snake. Certain snakes may have similar colors or patterns, but are differentiated by their size.
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4Pay attention to the behavior of the snake. Some snakes are fast, some are more aggressive, others are great climbers. Use your field guide or internet research to use this information.
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5Look for distinguishing features or behaviors. If the snake is able to flatten its neck (like a cobra), hisses, has a terrible smell, has round pupils, has a rough or smooth scale pattern, or moves in a distinctive way, that can help to narrow it down to one or two species of snakes.
Tips
- Remember that often, multiple snakes can fit a generic description. The more you know about the snake, the better you can narrow down the possibilities.
- Remember that not all snakes are active at the same times. Some are nocturnal, more active at night, while some hunt and live during the day.
- Make sure you spend plenty of time watching the snake BEFORE you get anywhere near it; that is how you can get a lot of behavioral information.
Warnings
- And careful, if the snake IS common, it doesn't mean its non venomous!!!
- Do not assume that a snake trying to run away is non-venomous. Most snakes would rather try to escape from you before taking a defensive posture. If a snake runs from you, do not attempt to chase it or grab it. Also, do not step on the tail as it retreats.
- The worst way to identify a snake is to be bitten by it. Assume all snakes are deadly until you are 100% certain otherwise.
- Do not attempt to handle, kill, or capture any wild snake. Many places and states have laws that may prohibit any of these actions.
Related wikiHows
Sources and Citations
- Years as a snake expert.
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