/ Texas Poisonous (Venomous) Snakes
Snakes! Sneaky, slimy, scary?...OR...Streamlined, skillful, and simply sensational? Seems like people either love 'em or hate 'em, but either way, snakes play an important role in our world!
Learn more about Texas Snakes!
About Snakes
Snakes are reptiles. Reptiles are cold-blooded, have skin covered with scales, and lay eggs. (Some snakes don't actually lay their eggs, but hold them inside until they hatch.) Snakes have no legs and no ears. Skilled predators, snakes help maintain the balance of nature by eating prey that reproduces frequently, everything from earthworms to rabbits. Snakes are especially important in the control of rodents such as mice and rats.
Venomous Snakes in Texas
Texas is home to around 115 species and subspecies of snakes. The 15 venomous snakes in Texas make up less than 15 percent of the total number of snakes in the state. They are separated into four categories: coral snakes, copperheads, cottonmouths (water moccasins) and rattlesnakes.
Coral Snakes
Only one species of coral snake is native to Texas. Shy and rarely seen, it has, in order, brilliant red, yellow and black colors. (Other, harmless snakes have similar colors in a different order. The rhyme "red and yellow kill a fellow" has helped many remember that the coral snake's red and yellow colors touch, but the harmless milk snake's red and yellow don't touch.) The coral snake has a small mouth, and is usually non-aggressive. Its bites are dangerous, but extremely rare.
See the coral snake.
What is a Pit Viper?
A pit viper is a type of venomous snake. Copperheads, cottonmouths and rattlesnakes are called pit-vipers because they have a pit near each nostril which is highly sensitive to heat. This pit helps the snake in locating warm-blooded prey.
Copperheads
With their bands of gray and/or brown, the three subspecies of Texas copperheads are colored to blend in with leaf-covered forest floors. It's possible to stare right at a copperhead without seeing it. Fortunately, copperheads are the least dangerous poisonous snake. Because they are so well camouflaged, most bites occur when a snake is accidentally picked up or sat or laid on. Always use care when picking up or flipping over logs, boards, old tin or other items where copperheads may be resting.
See the copperhead snake.
Cottonmouths
The cottonmouth, or water moccasin, rarely strays far from water and can be found in marshes, swamps, ponds, lakes, ditches, and canals in East and Central Texas and along the Gulf coast. It is a stubby, muscular snake and can grow to nearly six feet. Moccasins can bite underwater. These snakes can be very defensive and sometimes aggressive. Swimmers, bathers and anglers on river banks should always keep an eye open for these snakes.
See the cottonmouth snake.
Rattlesnakes
Nine kinds of rattlesnakes are found in Texas, including the massasauga. Rattlesnakes usually "rattle" before striking, but if they are totally surprised, they may strike before rattling.
See the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake.
See the Massasauga.
See the Timber Rattlesnake.
Preventing Snake Bites
Watching where you step, put your hands, or sit down is one of the best ways to prevent snake bites. Poisonous snakes live on or near the ground and often like rocks, wood piles and other spots that offer both a place to sun and a place to hide. Snakes avoid your huge body, but will definitely bite if stepped on or otherwise trapped. Most bites occur in and around the ankle. About 99 percent of all bites occur below the knee, except when someone accidentally picks up or falls on the snake.
The fangs of venomous snakes, though long and sharp, are relatively fragile and easily deflected or broken. These fangs usually don't penetrate canvas tennis shoes and almost never penetrate leather shoes or boots. Watching where you step and wearing boots in tall grass can prevent most snake bites.
Snakes are not something to be feared, but rather a creature to be respected as a fascinating member of the outdoors.
Even More About Texas Venomous Snakes
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1. You shouldn’t kill a snake because—
a. Their relatives will lay in wait for you till you least expect it.
b. It is against the law.
c. Snakes keep nature in the balance.
d. Snakes won’t hurt you.
2. What sentence from the website would the author of The Day of the Snakes most agree, since
her experience in the bathroom in the barn?
a. Swimmers, bathers, and anglers on river banks should always keep an eye open for snakes.
b. Texas is home to around 115 species and subspecies of snakes.
c. Snakes avoid your huge body but will definitely bite if stepped on or otherwise trapped.
d. Snakes are not something to be feared, but rather a creature to be respected as a
fascinating member of the outdoors.
3. This article is written from the point of view or perspective of--
a. someone who hate snakes
b. someone who thinks snakes are sneaky creatures out to bite people without warning
c. someone who thinks snakes should be respected for the good they do
d. someone who does not know much about snakes
4. This article is organized by--
a. comparing one Texas snake to another
b. describing a series of events with Texas snakes in the description
c. discussing what to do about Texas snake bites
d. providing examples of Texas poisonous snakes with descriptions
5. Look at the chart of information from the article.
4.In order to prevent snake bites, you should—
a. carry a big stick.
b. stay in the city.
c. watch where you step or sit.
d. make a lot of noise.
5. It is true that—
a. Snakes should be feared.
b. Snakes should be respected.
c. Snakes should be killed.
d. Snakes should be barbequed.
Which of these belongs in the blank?
a. it can be found in a dry creek bed
b. watch where you step, put your hands or sit down in the woods
c. swimmers in rivers need to keep their eyes open for the cottonmouth
d. its fangs will come out easily on dry land
6. What is the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s purpose in having this website?
a. warn people about all the venomous snakes in Texas
b. explain that there aren’t many species of venomous snakes in Texas
c. inform you about the four categories of venomous snakes in Texas
d. persuade you to help rid Texas of snakes
7. The photograph of the rattlesnake emphasizes the fact that—
a. rattlesnakes are multi-colored.
b. rattlesnakes live in groups.
c. rattlesnakes usually rattle before striking.
d. rattlesnakes need to live near water.
Holditch 2013-2014