BIO 370 Venomous Snakes ID Quiz

• distinctive red, yellow, and black bands

• some non-venomous snakes show similar colors but different pattern

• mostly fossorial (burrowing), especially in sandy areas

Eastern Coral Snake

• tan/gray body with brown hourglass-shaped bands

• juveniles (only) have yellow tail tip

• found in forest and river edges

Copperhead

• dark gray body with dark eye stripe not seen in copperhead

• distinctive gaping threat display (hence its name!)

• usually found near water, swampy areas

Cottonmouth

• back is gray/brown with series of black chevrons sometimes with red stripe

• tail is black

• common in woodlands throughout state

Timber Rattlesnake

• largest venomous snake in North America (up to >7ft/2m), but usually much smaller

• series of dark diamond-shaped bands bordered by yellow

• found in longleaf pine forests in southern georgia

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

• smallest rattlesnake (up to 18 in/0.5m)

• black gray/tan, with small black blotches in middle and along side

• red medial stripe may be present

• found in longleaf pine forests, sandhills

Pygmy Rattlesnake