Misinformation abounds on social-media, and snake-info is no exception… so here’s a post worth sharing because it just might save a life! We’re fortunate to have no venomous snakes in Nova Scotia but elsewhere, caution is required, and these images are no help.
These infographics get passed around on social media all the time, and they’re almost entirely inaccurate & useless… because they’re completely OUT OF CONTEXT. If you follow this advice to distinguish between venomous and harmless snakes, you could get yourself killed. Let me explain…
These illustrations are ripped out of a field-guide – a small pocket-book with information to help you identify local wildlife. Many snakes are easily distinguished by their colours & patterns, but there are often two species that look VERY similar. That’s where the line-illustrations come in… providing a few additional anatomical details that will help you differentiate between two very similar looking snakes. In the attached image, for example, you’ll find one of the illustrations from a Peterson’s Field Guide that helps differentiate between venomous Water Moccasins/Cottonmouths and harmless Water Snakes… but unless you know, specifically, what two similar-looking snakes you’re trying to differentiate, the illustration is completely useless.
These infographics WILL NOT help you differentiate between venomous and harmless snakes in general! If you followed this advice with that out-of-context image, you might feel safe picking up an aberrant coral snake… one of the deadliest snakes on earth, equipped with a fast-acting neurotoxic venom that can kill you within 30 minutes… but coral snakes have small rounded heads, round pupils and their small fangs are hidden beneath gums.
