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“Red on black, friend of Jack.” Right?
⚠️WRONG ⚠️
The snake in this photo has a red on black patterning, yet she carries a highly venomous neurotoxin. A bite from her could likely result in your death. (1/n)
⚠️WRONG ⚠️
The snake in this photo has a red on black patterning, yet she carries a highly venomous neurotoxin. A bite from her could likely result in your death. (1/n)
The rhyme, “Red on yellow, kill a fellow. Red on black, friend of Jack” is catchy, but ONLY holds true in southeastern USA. A large # of venomous coral snakes from Central & South America don’t follow this rhyme, including this Large Coral Snake, Micrurus diutius. (2/n)
I found this snake on a trail in Trinidad; if hadn’t heard anything about venomous snakes other than the “red on black” rhyme, I may have tried to pick this snake up. ☠️ (3/n)
Fail-proof ways to ensure your safety around snakes:
1. NEVER handle a snake if you do not know with 100% certainty what species it is. If you’re not positive on the ID, don’t touch it. It’s not worth the risk. Take a photo from afar & look it up in a field guide later (4/n)
1. NEVER handle a snake if you do not know with 100% certainty what species it is. If you’re not positive on the ID, don’t touch it. It’s not worth the risk. Take a photo from afar & look it up in a field guide later (4/n)
2. ALWAYS educate yourself on the snakes present in an area BEFORE you go there. Learn which venomous snakes are around so you know what you may see. Make flash cards with info from your field guide & keep them in your pocket or backpack when you’re hiking, just in case. (5/n)
Education + preparation = safer, more enjoyable adventures.
& don’t forget, “Red on black could still kill Jack!” (6/6)
& don’t forget, “Red on black could still kill Jack!” (6/6)
