How can you tell if a snake is poisonous or not?

Look up snakes in your area on the Internet. It's good to know all of the snakes that live around you. If you live in an area where there are a lot of snakes, take a field guide when you go out to help you identify them. Never touch a snake if you don't know if its venomous, and never keep a venomous snake as a pet. read more

The coral snake is a very poisonous snake but does not have a heat sensor, triangular face, or slit-like pupils. The color of a coral snake, however, is a dead giveaway. Click here to read about the differece between poisonous vs. venomous snakes. read more

Okay, so maybe you don't want to get close enough to look into the snake's eyes, but absent a telltale rattle, it is the single best and most consistent way to tell if a snake is poisonous. Avoid the problem. read more