Identification Key to Texas Snakes
Notes for Question 2

2. Does the snake have a pit, i.e., a depression, between its nostril and its eye, on the side of its head?

This question is appropriate, in most cases, only if the snake is dead and can be examined closely.  Live snakes cannot easily be examined in this manner, and you should not try to do so unless you already know the snake is not poisonous.

Note A. If the answer to this question is definitely YES, the snake is definitely venomous. The pit makes the snake a pit viper. All pit vipers are venomous. However, you may have trouble seeing the pit, or, even more likely, the head of the snake may have been crushed or dismembered so that the presence of a pit cannot be confirmed. If such is the case, answer the question as a NO, and proceed from there. The key will attempt to help you identify the snake as venomous or non-venomous even if you don't have the snake's head to look at.                

Note B. Be Extremely Cautious: this question is NOT answerable from a DISTANCE. You may have to get within striking distance of the snake to determine if the snake has a pit on the side of its head. WARNING: Getting within striking distance of a live venomous snake may result in serious injury or death.  Don't risk it. 

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