Identification Key to Texas Snakes
Notes for Question 1

1. Are there rattles at the end of the snake's tail?

Note A. This question is about rattles, NOT about whether or not the snake VIBRATES the tip of its tail. Many species of snakes, venomous and non-venomous, with or without rattles, vibrate the tips of their tails when agitated. The sound of a vibrating tail in dry leaves can be moderately loud. If the snake vibrates its tail but has no rattles, the answer to this question is NO. If it DOES have one or more rattles at the tip of its tail, that fact will usually be obvious to the naked eye, the sound of the rattle will be quite loud even when the snake is obviously not vibrating its tail in dry leaves.    

Note B. Rattles can be LOST. It is not unusual for a snake that normally has rattles at the tip of its tail to lose the tip (and its rattles) in an accident or as the result of an encounter with a predator, so the fact that a rattle is not present is not proof, by itself, that the snake is not a rattlesnake. Other questions provided in this key will still confirm that the snake is venomous, even if it is a rattlesnake that has lost its rattles.   

Note C. Answerable from a distance. This question CAN ALMOST ALWAYS be answered without getting within striking distance of the snake.  Sometimes, as when the snake has tucked its tail under its body and for some reason is not moving it at the moment, it is not immediately possible to answer this question.  When that happens, WAIT.  Patience is a virtue under most circumstances and this is an important example.  When the snake moves or repositions itself you should be able to see its tail.  In the meantime, without getting too close for safety, continue with the rest of the key.

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