The common folk wisdom, “If it’s brown get on the ground,” is often shared where brown venomous snakes like the Copperhead or certain Rattlesnakes are prevalent. This mnemonic suggests treating any brown snake as a potential threat, prompting a cautious reaction like freezing or slowly backing away. However, relying on a single visual trait like color for identification is a flawed and potentially dangerous oversimplification of reptile biology. This article examines the limitations of color-based snake identification and provides accurate traits and safety procedures for encountering any snake in the wild.
The Origin and Flaws of Color-Based Identification
The phrase gained traction in regions where North American pit vipers often exhibit brown, tan, or reddish-brown coloration. This coloring, such as the hourglass pattern of the Copperhead, serves as camouflage against leaf litter and soil. For an individual unfamiliar with herpetology, linking this common color to danger provided a quick, if inaccurate, mental shortcut.
The critical flaw is that a vast number of harmless snakes across North America are also predominantly brown, gray, or olive. Non-venomous water snakes, garter snakes, and rat snakes often display this exact coloration to blend into their habitats. Assuming all brown snakes are venomous leads to unnecessary fear and the needless killing of ecologically beneficial animals. Furthermore, color variations exist even within venomous species, such as the brightly banded Coral Snake or a dark, melanistic Cottonmouth. Relying on color alone is unreliable and can lead to a false sense of security around non-brown venomous species.
Reliable Physical Traits for Identifying Venomous Snakes
For the majority of venomous snakes in the United States, which belong to the pit viper family (Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, and Cottonmouths), identification is best achieved by focusing on specific, consistent morphological features rather than variable color. One reliable indicator is the snake’s head shape. Pit vipers typically have a broad, distinctly triangular or spade-shaped head due to the presence of large venom glands. Non-venomous snakes usually have a more slender, rounded head that is not much wider than their neck.
A second distinguishing feature is the shape of the pupils; most North American pit vipers possess vertical, cat-like slits, especially in bright light, while most non-venomous snakes have round pupils. Pit vipers also possess the loreal pit, a small, deep, heat-sensing hole located on each side of the head between the eye and the nostril. The presence of this pit is a definitive characteristic of this group. Finally, rattlesnakes are uniquely identified by the presence of a keratinous rattle segment at the end of their tail.
Essential Safety Procedures During a Snake Encounter
The safest approach during any snake encounter is to treat the animal with respect and maintain a substantial distance, regardless of identification. Snakes will almost always retreat if given the opportunity, as they do not view humans as prey. The best reaction is to stop moving immediately and then slowly and calmly back away from the snake’s striking range, which can be up to half the length of its body.
Never attempt to handle, harass, move, or kill any snake you encounter, even if it appears dead, as the muscle reflex allowing a bite can persist for up to an hour after death. Most snake bites occur when a person tries to engage with the animal. If a bite occurs, the response must be immediate and focused on professional medical care. The individual should remain as calm and still as possible and seek emergency medical services immediately.
Avoid all folk remedies, such as applying a tourniquet, cutting the wound, or trying to suck out the venom, as these actions have been proven ineffective and can cause further tissue damage. While waiting for help, remove any jewelry or restrictive clothing from the affected limb, as swelling will occur rapidly. The only effective treatment for a venomous snake bite is the administration of antivenom in a hospital setting.