Venomous Snakes

Georgia is home to many differnt snakes but only 6 are venomous.

All of the snakes pictured below except for the coral snake are pit vipers. Some common characteristics of Georgia's pit vipers is that they all have pits on each side of their head located in between each eye and nostril. These pit vipers also have eliptical pupils similar to a cats pupil. However, in low light, their pupils can dilate making them appear round. Pit vipers are heavy bodied snakes meaning that they are thicker than most non-venomous snakes of the same length. The pit vipers also have triangular shaped heads as do many non-venomous snakes. On the under side of the tail of a non-venomous snake, the scales are divided into two rows. A venomous snake has one row of scales underneath the tail. So, many factors have to be met in order to determine venomous from non-venomous. Never use just one trait to identify a snake. Using pattern, along with geographical location and other visible traits the snake displays offers a much more reliable way to identify it. 

Click on a photograph below for more information on that particular snake.