How Impressive Is Your Venomous Snakes Knowledge?

By: Jhoana Porter
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
How Impressive Is Your Venomous Snakes Knowledge?
Image: Picture by Tambako the Jaguar / Moment Open / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Snakes aren't the most loved creatures in the world, and venomous snakes are loved even less. Of over 3,000 snake species, around 600 use venom for hunting prey or defending themselves. According to the CDC, about 20 of those are found in the United States and are responsible for venomous snakebites in 7,000–8,000 people each year. Needless to say, venomous snakes are dangerous creatures that should be avoided as much as possible.

If you live in the city and work in an office, you're in luck — an encounter with a venomous snake is improbable. However, the same isn't true if you work outdoors or live close to nature. And if you like going on adventures in the wild, your likelihood of seeing a venomous snake increases.

But whether or not you're likely to encounter a venomous snake, it can be helpful to know a thing or two about them. While these reptiles may seem homogeneous, they actually have different physical characteristics, temperament and behavior. Expanding your knowledge about these dangerous yet fascinating creatures can help prevent you from becoming another venomous snakebite statistic.

So, do you think you could identify a venomous snake in the wild? Do you know how to deal with a venomous snakebite? Ace this quiz and be a self-proclaimed venomous snake expert!



Rattlesnake
Kristian Bell/Moment/Gettty Images
Which of these snakes will rattle anyone with their quick, accurate strike that goes as far or even farther than 33.3% of their body length?
Copperheads
Water moccasins
Coral snakes
Rattlesnakes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Named after the rattle at the end of their tail, rattlesnakes are between 1 and 8 feet long. To this day, 32 different species of rattlesnakes have been identified and cataloged.

Eastern Coral Snake
Shutterstock
These are pretty docile snakes that only bite as a last resort. What are they?
Black mambas
Coral snakes
Green anaconda
Yellow anaconda
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Coral snakes are easily identified by their rich vibrant colors and simple patterns. Many of them often have bright red and black sections and yellow stripes making them easy to spot.

3 Snake Venom
Brasil2 / E+ / Getty Images
Of over 600 species of venomous snakes, how many pose a real threat to human beings?
About 200
Less than 30
Over 400
None
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

About 200 species of venomous snakes are lethal. But if you live in a place with high-quality medical care, your chances of dying from a venomous snakebite are nearly zero.

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4 snake bite
Prapass Pulsub / Moment / Getty Images
How do you treat someone who has been bitten by a venomous snake?
By sucking the poison out with your mouth
CPR
By administering antivenom
Surgery
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Most antivenoms are created by injecting a particular snake's venom into a domestic animal and then harvesting and processing the antibodies from that animal. This discovery is one that has saved countless lives!

Black Mamba
Shutterstock
No other species of snake can beat this when it comes to speed. Which one is it?
King cobra
Black mamba
Yellow-bellied sea snake
Sand adder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Unless you're on par with Olympic runners, you won't be able to outrace a determined black mamba. This snake can go as fast as 12.5 miles per hour, making it a deadly encounter to be sure.

Cobra
n/a
Which of these snakes spreads out its neck ribs to appear bigger and more threatening?
Death adder
Cobra
Aesculapian snake
Egyptian asp
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When threatened, cobras will flatten their necks in an effort to look larger and intimidate their foes. Due to this, it's no wonder that their name comes from the Portuguese word for hooded snake.

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Saw-scaled Viper
Kristian Bell/Moment Open/Gettty Images
They may not have the strongest venom, but they're behind most snakebite deaths in humans every year. What are they called?
Tiger snake
Boa
Saw-scaled viper
Flying snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Found in some regions of Africa, India and the Middle East, saw-scaled vipers loop into S-shaped folds and rub their scales together to produce a hissing sound when threatened.

King Cobra
Shutterstock
King cobras are the longest venomous snakes in the world. How long was the longest known king cobra?
6.7 ft
19.2 ft
10.4 ft
35.8 ft
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The longest king cobra on record (as of 2019) clocked in at 19.2 feet in length. When stood on its end, that's the height of an average adult giraffe! Adult king cobras are more commonly found to be between 10.4 and 13.1 feet in length.

Western Australian Tiger Snake
shutterstock
Their venom doesn't only have neurotoxins; it has myotoxins, hemolysins and coagulants as well. What are they called?
Green mambas
True cobras
Eastern brown snakes
Tiger snakes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tiger snakes are protected species in some parts of Australia, and if you injure or kill one, you'll be faced with a hefty fine of $7,500 and possibly an 18-month jail sentence.

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inland taipan
Jack Reynolds/Moment Open/Getty Images
Can you identify this deadly venomous snake that is often called the "fierce snake"?
Inland taipan
Peron's sea snake
Russell's viper
Forest cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Fierce snake" is an appropriate nickname for the inland taipan. Its venom is so toxic that one untreated bite can send you to the afterlife in as little as 30 to 45 minutes. If you value your life, steer clear of this creature.

Cottonmouth Snake
Wiki Commons by scott.zona
This snake is normally found in or around a body of water and is the only semiaquatic viper in the world. Which one is it?
Philippine cobra
Jararaca
Cottonmouth snake
Chinese cobra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cottonmouth snakes are also called water moccasins. Although their aggression is often exaggerated, their bites can leave scars and many victims of their bite sometimes require amputation of the limb.

12 Southern Copperhead Snake
Kristian Bell / Moment / Getty Images
When frightened, this snake freezes instead of escaping, increasing its chances of being stepped on, which in turn makes it more likely to get a snakebite. Can you identify it?
Copperhead snake
Timber rattlesnake
Eastern coral snake
Black diamond rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Known for the hourglass shapes on their body, copperhead snakes are petrified when they feel threatened. They don't normally attack humans, but they will bite if stepped on.

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13 Copperhead snake closeup
R. Andrew Odum / Photodisc / Getty Images
Can a snake's head still bite you after it has been decapitated?
Yes
No
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Since snakes need very little oxygen to keep their brain working, they can survive for another few minutes or hours after being beheaded. They're kind of like zombies of the animal world.

Gaboon Viper
Tom Brakefield/Photodisc/Getty Images
Which type of snake has the longest fangs?
Gaboon viper
Indian cobra
Malayan krait
Eastern brown snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The distinguished Gaboon viper is known to have fangs that can measure up to 2 inches in length and has one of the highest venom yields of any snake species! If you're walking in Africa, keep on the lookout for this snake!

Copperhead
Rex Lisman / Moment / Getty Images
Which of these are responsible for most cases of snakebites in the United States?
Rattlesnakes
Water moccasins
Coral snakes
Copperheads
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Copperheads account for the majority of snakebites in the United States. Unlike many snakes who give a warning before striking, copperheads are very quick to strike when threatened.

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16 Venomous Southern Copperhead snake
Rex Lisman / Moment / Getty Images
How many species of venomous snakes can fly?
1
0
5
7
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Snakes can't fly. What's referred to as flying snakes (chrysopelea) climb up trees and then glide instead of flying like a bird would. Chrysopeleas are only mildly venomous.

17 Snake venom
Rithwik photography / Moment / Getty Images
Which one of these snake venoms target your blood?
Neurotoxic venom
Cytotoxic venom
Hemotoxic venom
Proteolytic venom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hemotoxins are particularly dangerous when you consider the fact that they will either destroy your red blood cells or cause blood clotting if bitten. When push comes to shove, it's best to avoid the bite!

18 Snake venom collection
Ed Reschke / Photodisc / Getty Images
Which of these snakes doesn't primarily produce hemotoxins?
Sea snake
Copperhead
Rattlesnake
Cottonmouth
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sea snakes mainly produce a neurotoxic venom that will attack their prey's nervous system. They live in water for most if not all of their lives and most of them can't move on land.

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19 Diamondback rattlesnake mouth open
Stan Tekiela Author / Naturalist / Wildlife Photographer / Moment / Getty Images
Are venomous snakes the same as poisonous snakes?
Yes
No
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Something is poisonous when it can harm you either by touching or digesting it. On the other hand, something is venomous if it injects your tissues or blood with harmful toxins.

20 Banded sea snake
ifish / E+ / Getty Images
Sea snakes are divided into two groups, with one being true sea snakes. What's the other one?
Saltwater eel
Coral reef snakes
Freshwater eel
Sea kraits
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The second group of sea snakes is known as the sea kraits. These fascinating creatures can survive on land or out in the sea. While they can survive in either location, they are required to head toward land whenever they want to digest a meal or lay some eggs!

21 Coral snake
Mark Kostich / E+ / Getty Images
Which type of snake isn't a member of the viper family of snakes?
Rattlesnake
Cottonmouth
Coral snake
Copperhead
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While coral snakes are related to sea snakes, cobras and mambas, they aren't related to vipers. Unlike many venomous snakes, they have round pupils instead of cat-looking ones.

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22 Sea snake
Bernard Radvaner / Corbis / Getty Images
A sea snake is often mistaken for an eel. How do you distinguish a sea snake from an eel?
Sea snakes don't have gills.
Sea snakes appear more like a ribbon when swimming.
Sea snakes have flatter and longer heads.
Sea snakes have fins.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The process is quite easy; the main distinguishing factor between an eel and a sea snake is that eels have gills while sea snakes do not. This means that sea snakes do have to surface from time to time to breathe.

23 Cottonmouth snake sunning itself
Spiraling Road Photography / Moment Open / Getty Images
Can venomous snakes give you a dry bite?
Yes
No
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Venomous snakes can actually give you a dry bite, meaning there's no venom in the bite. If symptoms don't show eight to 12 hours after a bite, it's most likely a venom-free bite.

24 Man with snake in the wild
Dave Carr / Moment / Getty Images
What should you do if you encounter a snake in the wild?
Leave it alone and slowly walk away.
Approach and harass it.
Beat it with a stick or any hard tool.
Grab its tail and throw it as far away as possible.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

On average, snakes aren't normally aggressive creatures unless provoked. Like most humans, a snake does not really appreciate it when someone decides to step on their tail. So long as the average explorer watches their step, accidents can be avoided!

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South American bushmaster
Shutterstock
Vipers are generally large snakes. Which type is the longest in the world?
Green vipers
Gaboon vipers
Horned vipers
Bushmasters
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bushmasters are 6 to 9 feet in length, but some grow to up to 13 feet. Their tail's horny spine that vibrates when threatened earned them the nickname "mute rattlesnake."

Rattlesnake
Shutterstock
What are the rattles of a rattlesnake made of?
Fossil
Wood
Keratin
Stone
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Rattlesnake rattles, as well as many snake scales in general, are made of keratin. Sound familiar? That's because keratin can also be found in the materials that make up human hair and nails!

Anaconda
Shutterstock
Which of these snakes isn't venomous?
Prairie rattlesnake
Anaconda
Texas coral snake
Southern copperhead
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While anacondas are exceptionally frightening, they aren't actually venomous. Rather than bite, the anaconda will wrap its massive body around its victims and proceed to crush them to death!

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28 Snake head mouth open
Martin Harvey / Photodisc / Getty Images
Which type of snake venom affects your nerves and brain?
Hemotoxic venom
Neurotoxic venom
Cytotoxic venom
Proteolytic venom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Neurotoxic venom is exceptionally dangerous because it attacks its victims' nervous system directly. The toxic can quickly cause muscle paralysis and instigate respiratory failure in the snake's victims.

Cottonmouth
Rex Lisman / Moment / Getty Images
Which of the following doesn't have neurotoxic venom?
Black mamba
Cobra
Cottonmouth
Blue coral snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cottonmouths are vipers, which mainly produce hemotoxins. They normally have to track down their targets after they've been bitten since their venom is slower at immobilizing prey.

30 Snake coiled to strike
Jason Todd / Photodisc / Getty Images
Snake venom is harmful to most animals including humans. But this creature is surprisingly immune to rattlesnake venom. Which one is it?
Turtle
Woodrat
Otter
Opossum
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Immune to rattlesnake venom, the woodrat can certainly hold its own in a fight. Woodrats have been known to bite and scratch rattlesnakes to death on occasion! We wouldn't get on the wrong side of that fight!

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31 Getting venom from snake
John Foxx / Stockbyte / Getty Images
Cytotoxic venom targets what part of you?
Heart
Liver
Cells
Eyes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cytotoxins destroy body cells. They can cause death to most if not all of the cells in your tissue or organ. If treated incorrectly, it could lead to the death of an entire limb.

Black Mamba
shutterstock
Which snake isn't native to the United States?
Copperhead
Black mamba
Coral snake
Rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are only four primary groups of venomous snakes that can be found in the United States: the rattlesnake, copperheads, coral snakes and cottonmouths. The black mamba, while distinctive and well known, is native to Africa.

33 Juvenile cottonmouth
Kristian Bell / Moment / Getty Images
Which of these characteristics describes a cottonmouth?
When threatened, it widely opens its mouth, which has a pinkish to white color.
There are pits between its eyes and nostrils.
Adult cottonmouths are green.
They can't swim.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While some might believe that the cottonmouth snakes are named after their habitat, they actually get the moniker from their pinkish-white mouths! These distinctive creatures have distinct blocky heads and are usually between 2 and 4 feet in length.

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34 Banded sea snake
James R.D. Scott / Moment / Getty Images
How long can true sea snakes remain underwater?
30 minutes
8 hours
2.5 hours
15 hours
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While many snakes might passingly be referred to as sea snakes, true sea snakes can stay underwater for upwards of eight hours. They accomplish this by breathing through their skin, with their enlarged lungs making up much of their body length.

35 Corn snake
Nathan Shepard / Moment Open / Getty Images
The non-venomous corn snakes are often mistaken for copperhead snakes. How do you tell them apart?
Copperheads don't have fangs.
Copperheads have small angular heads.
Corn snakes are redder, and they have thick blotches on the back instead of side blotches that look like hourglasses.
Corn snakes tend to be thicker.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's easy to confuse the reddish color of corn snakes as the color of copperheads. If the color isn't helping, just remember that copperheads have hourglass patterns on them.

36 Viper coiled to strike
Mark Kostich / E+ / Getty Images
Which of the following is NOT a snakebite treatment myth?
Using a snake bite kit
Applying a tourniquet
Putting a cold pack on the afflicted area
Removing any tight clothing surrounding the afflicted area
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Anyone bitten by a venomous snake should remove any tight clothing, wash the wound, apply a light bandage to protect the wound from infections and seek medical attention at once.

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37 Snake in a bowl
ranplett / E+ / Getty Images
In case of a survival situation, can you safely eat a venomous snake?
Yes
No
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Considering that venom is only harmful if it enters a person's bloodstream, it should be no surprise that in some cultures a well-cooked snake is actually quite the delicacy.

38 Snake charmer
DavidCallan / E+ / Getty Images
Snake charming is a popular practice in Asia and North Africa. What makes the cobra dance?
The music
A drug injected into it
The musical instrument
They just like to dance when they're not hunting.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although snakes can hear sound, they don't have the ability to hear music. When they're dancing, they're following the musical instrument, which they consider to be a threat.

39 Pit viper rattlesnake
Amith Nag Photography / Moment / Getty Images
Vipers are found everywhere except New Zealand, Antarctica, north of the Arctic Circle, island clusters, Australia and Madagascar. Which doesn't describe pit vipers?
Long fangs
Triangular head
Speedy strike
Very alert
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Vipers may seem more sluggish than other venomous snakes, but this is only due to the fact that they rely more on their camouflage ability to catch prey than their speed.

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40 belchers sea snake
Godmonic / YouTube
Which type of water snake is believed to be 100 times deadlier than the fierce snake, inland taipan?
Northern water snake
Faint-banded sea snake
Brown water snake
Red-bellied water snake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Despite being deadlier than the inland taipan, the faint-banded sea snake is actually less threatening to human beings. They only bite when severely mistreated so as long as you don't go poking it with a stick, you should be fine.

You Got:
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Picture by Tambako the Jaguar / Moment Open / Getty Images