Head shape, genetics augment understanding of rattlesnake species. ScienceDaily . Retrieved May 27, 2025 from www.sciencedaily.com / releases / 2016 / 01 / 160127154805.htm ...

Of the 32 snake species in Tennessee, only four are venomous: copperhead, cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake, and pygmy ...

Some nonvenomous snakes (such as a rat snake) can mimic the triangular shape of venomous snakes by flattening their heads when threatened, so never go by head shape alone. Can you see its eyes?

But often it’s more complicated than that. A triangle-shaped head doesn’t always mean a snake is venomous, and a narrower head doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Many non-venomous snakes ...

Only the copperhead and the timber rattlesnake are found in the central Pennsylvania area. There are several ways to identify venomous snakes, including pupil size, head shape and pattern.

The massasauga rattlesnake is considered a small pit viper, with a triangular-shaped head and vertical pupils. It’s usually gray or light brown with large, light-edged chocolate brown blotches ...