11/13/2023 0 Comments Zigzag lines watersnake![]() ![]() They also tend to shy away from open lakes and reservoirs. Water Moccasins do not naturally occur in the northern half of the state and are rarely (if ever) found in the North Georgia mountains. The first step to identifying if the snake is a Water Moccasin is considering where you are geographically. But there are actually five other species of non-venomous water snakes in Georgia, and they are MUCH more commonly sighted! Many people automatically assume when they see a snake in the water that it must be a Water Moccasin. One of the six venomous snakes in Georgia, the Eastern Coral Snake, is commonly mistaken for the non-venomous Scarlet Kingsnake.Īn easy way to tell the difference is by looking at their color pattern and remembering the saying, “ red touch yellow, deadly fellow red touch black, venom lack.” So if the red and yellow rings are touching, it’s venomous!Īnother frequently misidentified (and widely feared) venomous snake is the Cottonmouth, which is more commonly known as the Water Moccasin. Scarlet Kingsnake non-venomous snake in NC via Canva Commonly Confused Venomous and Non-Venomous Snakes READ MORE: The 15 Best North Georgia Mountains for Hiking But it’s better to exercise caution and back away slowly and carefully if you hear a rattle nearby. Note that some non-venomous snakes can mimic the sound of a rattle by rustling their tail in leaves. will have two on their snouts)Īnother way of knowing if a snake is venomous is if you hear a rattle, which serves as a warning that there is a rattlesnake nearby. pits or holes on the head (rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, etc.elliptical pupils, almost like those of a cat (non-venomous snakes have rounded pupils).distinct triangular-shaped heads (non-venomous snakes tend to have more rounded heads).So it’s much more likely that you will come across a non-venomous snake than a venomous one. There are 46 different species of snakes in Georgia, and only six of those are venomous. First, to help minimize your fear, and second, because it is illegal to kill non-venomous snakes in Georgia. While all snake bites and sightings should be taken seriously, it’s important to be able to tell non-venomous vs venomous snakes apart. The Georgia Poison Center recorded 416 snake bites in 2018, with half of them coming from non-venomous snakes. Venomous Timber Rattlesnake with triangular-shaped head Non-Venomous vs Venomous Snakes: How to ID READ MORE: 101+ Things to Do in North Georgia Read on to learn all about the different types of snakes in Georgia, how to identify non-venomous vs venomous snakes, and what to do in the unlikely case that you or your dogs get bit while out on the trails. Knowledge leads to understanding and respect for the vital role these beautiful creatures play in the ecosystem of North Georgia. To put that number in perspective, lightning kills an average of 49 people each year, while over 30,000 people are killed in car crashes each year.īut while your risk of getting a snake bite while exploring nature is extremely low, it’s important to arm yourself with knowledge before venturing into their territory. each year, and only about 5 of those bites are fatal (usually due to preexisting conditions). In truth, the number of snake bites that occur annually is relatively low and the chance of being fatally bitten is minuscule.Īccording to CDC statistics, an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the U.S. So if you do see a snake on a hiking trail, just leave them be and it’s extremely unlikely you’ll get bitten. The majority of snake bites happen from people accidentally stepping on snakes, handling snakes, or trying to kill them. Which is ironic when you consider the fact that snakes are much more afraid of us than we are of them, and will rarely attack unless provoked. Just hearing the word “snake” can evoke feelings of fear in otherwise intrepid adventurers. ![]() Even a badass, jungle-roaming, whip-cracking Nazi hunter can have an irrational fear of slithering reptiles. This memorable line– spoken by Indiana Jones in the 1984 classic Raiders of the Lost Ark– reveals a bizarre truth. ![]()
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