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About This Quiz
Nature is smart. Snakes have evolved with poisonous bites, lethal squeezes and jaws that can unhinge to eat something bigger than themselves. No life-loving human or animal is going to mess with a snake. Which is why other snakes have evolved look-alike patterns to fool others and hide the fact they don't have a venomous bite. So it makes sense to note the detailed differences of a serpentine creature to decide whether to step around or run away at top speed.ÂÂ
For instance, the non-venomous milk snake tends to resemble the venomous coral snake, with its red-black-yellow or white-black-red bands. However, in the coral snake, the red and yellow bands touch, leading to the mnemonic phrase, "Red on yellow kills a fellow." But don't get too close identifying these small serpents. The cottonmouth, which refers to more than one species, is venomous. What these dangerous species have in common is the pale white interior of their mouths, hence the name. Make your motto, "Identify at a distance."
But it's not easy, since snakes can use camouflage. The twig snake is named for its brown coloration and slender size. It's easily mistaken for a twig. Now it's time to test your snake I.Q. We prefer you test it here with our trivia quiz and not in the wild. It's a bit ssssssafer.ÂÂ
Black mamba
venomous!
"Black" is a misnomer here. The black mamba is a brown or gray color. Fun fact: Uma Thurman's killer bride character in "Kill Bill" was codenamed Black Mamba.
not venomous
Green mamba
venomous!
We're not sure why the black mamba gets all the bad press -- the Eastern and Western green mambas are deadly as well. Possibly it's because the green mamba is a "shy" snake, avoiding conflict with humans.
not venomous
Puff adder
venomous!
This species is found through sub-Saharan Africa. It takes its name from threat displays in which it inflates and deflates its body.
not venomous
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Garter snake
venomous!
Surprised? Probably many people were, especially those who grew up in the U.S. and were taught not to fear garter snakes. Which you shouldn't -- they only have a mild venom and are harmless to humans.
not venomous
Boa constrictor
venomous!
not venomous
As the name implies, this species kills prey by constriction, not with venom. They've been known to kill prey as large as the ocelot (a kind of small leopard).
Mud snake
venomous!
not venomous
You'll find these snakes in the southeastern United States. They are black on top, but have red or pink bellies, with those red or pink markings branching up to be visible on their sides, making for a striking (no pun intended) appearance.
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Ball python
venomous!
not venomous
These are very popular as pets. Like many pythons, they constrict their prey rather than using venom to kill.
King cobra
venomous!
Oddly, the king cobra is not part of the "Naja" genus to which the other cobras belong. It is, however, as dangerous. King cobras appear in the myths and legends of India and other South Asian countries where it is found.
not venomous
King snake
venomous!
not venomous
King snakes are constrictors, and have been known to eat other snakes, including venomous ones. That's why they're considered generally beneficial to humans.
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Russell's viper
venomous!
This name might not be too familiar to you if you live outside India. Russell's viper is primarily found in India, and to a small extent over its borders in Pakistan, Nepal and China.
not venomous
Milk snake
venomous!
not venomous
These tend to resemble the coral snake, with their red-black-yellow or white-black-red bands. However, in the coral snake, the red and yellow bands touch, leading to the mnemonic phrase "Red on yellow kills a fellow." (We recommend just steering clear no matter what).
Twig snake
venomous!
But they sound so harmless! Indeed, this snake is named for its brown coloration and slender size; it's easily mistaken for a twig.
not venomous
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Whipsnake
venomous!
not venomous
Whipsnakes are small, slender snakes without venom. Apparently they survive in the wild by impressing other animals with their cool names, like the "Western coachwhip."
Cottonmouth
venomous!
Cottonmouth refers to more than one species. What they have in common is the pale white interior of their mouths, hence the name.
not venomous
Coastal taipan
venomous!
It's mostly Australians who have to watch out for this highly venomous snake. It can also grow to great lengths, with one coastal taipan being measured at nearly ten feet long.
not venomous
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Boomslang
venomous!
Boomslangs are tree snakes, and their skin is a gorgeous green color. Their venom can be fatal. Fun fact: Readers of the "Harry Potter" series might remember that boomslang skin was sometimes an ingredient in Professor Snape's potions class.
not venomous
Bushmaster
venomous!
There are three kinds of bushmaster snake: Black-headed, Central American and South American. All are venomous, and share a cool genus name: Lachesis, after the second of the Three Fates in Greek mythology.
not venomous
American copperhead
venomous!
The American copperhead is part of the Crotalinae subfamily, better known as pit vipers. It is found in the southeastern United States.
not venomous
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Eastern diamondback rattlesnake
venomous!
Think rattlesnakes are only in the West? Think again. Another name for this species is the Florida diamondback, meaning that back when Major League Baseball was expanding, we could have had the "Florida Diamondbacks" instead of the Arizona ones!
not venomous
Water moccasin
venomous!
If you knew that this is one of the "cottonmouths," good for you! But it's important to know that no matter what it's called, the water moccasin is just plain dangerous!
not venomous
Northern water snake
venomous!
not venomous
Don't be confused by the existence of a "water moccasin," which is venomous. The Northern Water Snake is part of the Colubridae family, none of which produce venom.
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Bull snake
venomous!
not venomous
This is a North American breed. It can be mistaken for the Western diamondback rattler, which it resembles.
Rhinoceros viper
venomous!
The Rhinoceros viper is named for the sharp little horns on its nose. It also has such a sharp ridge along its underbelly that humans have been known to sustain cuts when picking one up.
not venomous
Horned adder
venomous!
This snake is related to the puff adder. It can be found in southwestern Africa, especially the Kalahari desert.
not venomous
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Burmese python
venomous!
not venomous
These snakes can grow to be huge -- easily 10 or 12 feet long. That's why they're not recommended as pets, despite their docile nature.
Coral snake
venomous!
Coral snakes are found in both the Eastern and Western hemispheres, with a common lineage going back to Asia. They produce venom, but tend to be reclusive, rarely striking humans.
not venomous
Corn snake
venomous!
not venomous
These snakes are popular as pets because of their bright coloration and easygoing nature. They get their name from the fact that they used to be found near barns and granaries, where they hunted rodents that came to eat the grain.
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Blood python
venomous!
not venomous
Don't worry: This species gets its name from the dark-red patches on its body. Despite not being venomous, it has a reputation as a bad-tempered snake and shouldn't be provoked.
Common ribbon snake
venomous!
not venomous
These snakes get their names from their very slender bodies. Get one to wrap around your upper arm a few times, and you'd have the living equivalent of a goth upper-arm bracelet.
Gray ratsnake
venomous!
not venomous
It probably won't surprise you that these feed mostly on rodents. For this reason, they live near barns and granaries, and may strike a human if surprised there, but their bite is harmless.
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Gray rattlesnake
venomous!
You certainly wouldn't want to mistake this for the gray ratsnake. Syllables matter. Enunciate, people!
not venomous
The Krait
venomous!
Kraits are a dangerous group of snakes found in Asia. They eat other snakes -- in fact, they will even eat other kraits. We're guessing that it's only a matter of time before Marvel rolls out a supervillain named "The Krait."
not venomous
San Francisco garter snake
venomous!
Like other garter snakes, the San Francisco garter produces a mild venom and doesn't deliver very much in a bite. It is on the endangered list -- probably because it's been priced out of the SF housing market like everyone else.
not venomous
This isn't a real snake.
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Hoop snake
venomous!
not venomous
This is not a real snake.
The "hoop snake" is a myth -- a snake that can form itself into a wheel, nose-to-tail, and roll after its prey faster than it could crawl. If you've ever seen an "Amazing Animals!" special on TV, this story might not sound so strange in comparison -- but no snake has ever been observed doing this.
You Got:
/35
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