The Most Common (and Ridiculous) Snake Myths People Actually Believe

Most people, throughout their lives, see imagery of violent snakes perpetuated in the media. Anaconda, Babylon, Snakes on a Plane: what these films have in common is that snakes act as the aggressor, even trapping and baiting humans. These moments, paired with outdated beliefs or scary snake stories passed down through families, are part of the reason why so many people don’t want to be around snakes. But people tend to believe common and ridiculous snake myths. In reality, what you think about snakes largely isn’t true.

It’s important to address widespread myths and misconceptions for several reasons. First, snakes are not out to get anybody. By understanding this, people who are uncomfortable around snakes can at least temper their responses if coming across a snake in person. Squashing myths also serves as protective for snakes. Right now, conservation efforts are threatened by increased human-snake interaction. When people don’t see snakes as inherently dangerous, they might be less likely to harm or even kill snakes that they see. Let’s take a look at some of the most persistent snake myths (and why they’re wrong).

Myth #1: Baby Snakes are More Dangerous Than Adults

One common myth states that baby venomous snakes are actually more dangerous than adult snakes. According to the myth, baby venomous snakes cannot control venom-metering, or how much venom they inject into prey when biting. The venom all gets released at once, while adult snakes can regulate venom delivery.

The Reality Is…

However, there’s no scientific evidence that baby snakes’ venom-metering is ineffective. In fact, several studies show the opposite, including a 1995 study in Animal Behavior found that juvenile prairie rattlesnakes released more venom when biting larger prey than when biting smaller mice. Adult venomous snakes also have larger venom glands, leading to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife explaining that bites from larger snakes typically contain more venom.

Either way, if you’re bitten by a venomous snake, that does not always mean that there’s venom in your system. Many snakes “dry bite,” choosing not to envenomate. However, you should still probably seek care, just to be safe.

Myth #2: Cottonmouth Snakes Will Aggressively Chase You

Cottonmouth snakes are extremely venomous, which could be one reason why they have developed such a fearsome reputation. Frequent boaters may argue that these semi-aquatic snakes chase their ships or jet skis. Others claim that cottonmouths nest together, and these nests will attack people together.

The Reality Is…

But cottonmouths are actually much less mean or territorial than people think. “Cottonmouths do not nest together and chase down people on jet skis. This species is largely solitary, and there has never been an actual verified case of them ‘hunting in packs.’ It’s a lot of minor variations of the same story,” says Maryann Barbon, who educates the public about snakes through the Rattlesnake Conservancy and the Amphibian Foundation’s Junior Master Herpetologist program.

How did the cottonmouth myth begin, and why is it still around today? There are several elements at play here. First, cottonmouth snakes’ defensive display involves opening their white mouths (hence the name cottonmouth) and displaying their fangs, a phenomenon known as gaping. People may misconstrue this as aggressive rather than protective. The cottonmouths are not trying to attack, but they are trying to show that they will defend themselves if necessary.

“These animals aren’t looking to bite everything in sight. They would greatly prefer no interaction whatsoever,” says Barbon.

Cottonmouths may also move in the direction of a human when trying to escape. 2010 field research found that cottonmouths, if they feel their escape route is blocked, might feign an aggressive pose. However, the snakes fled rather than attacked once given the space. According to research cited by The Orianne Society, cottonmouths largely don’t bite in self-defense. If you see one, there’s no need to run.

Myth #3: Snakes Unhinge Their Jaws

Snakes have been known to eat a variety of animals, ranging from smaller prey to larger creatures like hyenas or deer. But seeing a snake consume something significantly larger than itself looks and feels almost impossible. The myth of snakes unhinging or dislocating their jaws seems like a logical explanation of how snakes can achieve this feat.

The Reality Is…

Snake jaws are actually very specialized. Both the upper and lower jaws are split into two distinct parts. Additionally, the cranium is separate. This is different from other mammals, whose upper jaw is usually fused to the cranium. The unique cranial setup means snakes can move one half of their jaw at a time, allowing them to keep prey in place while also swallowing.

That’s not all, either: snakes’ jaws are connected by ligaments rather than bones, making them more flexible. The ligament can stretch to allow for incredible jaw expansion. A 2014 study on northern water snakes found that the distance between the snakes’ mandibles at maximum reach was over 770% from when the snakes were at rest. More recently, in 2022, researchers determined that Burmese pythons could stretch their jaws up to 4x wider than the width of their skulls.

Myth #4: You Can Identify a Venomous Snake By How It Looks

For some people, feeling able to visually identify whether a snake is venomous or not brings them comfort and makes them less scared if they see a snake outside. The following traits have been attributed to venomous snakes:

• Cat-like pupils (slitted eyes)

• Triangular heads

• Thicker bodies with a thinner neck

• Dark facial band

Venomous snakes that you might find in the United States include copperheads, cottonmouths, coral snakes, and rattlesnakes.

The Reality Is…

“All the characteristics people use to try and identify venomous snakes are not effective and very misleading,” says Marjan Ghadrdan, Venomous Programs Coordinator at the Amphibian Foundation.

Although there are several venomous snakes that do align with the traits above, attempting to identify venomous snakes by head shape or size is unreliable and potentially fatal.

After all, several snakes disprove this myth. Copperheads, for example, lack a dark band around their face. Venomous coral snakes don’t have the dark band and may also lack the thicker, more robust body. Instead, coral snakes are brightly colored. But just seeing a brightly colored snake is not enough to determine if it is venomous, or a coral snake, as several non-venomous species like the scarlet kingsnake have adapted their coloring to appear more fearsome.

Hint: You can tell scarlet kingsnakes and coral snakes apart because of how their coloring appears. Scarlet kingsnakes have black bands between yellow and red, while yellow and red scales touch in coral snakes. Head shape is also not enough to differentiate. The Common Krait is extremely venomous, but its rounded head would suggest otherwise. Actually identifying venomous vs. non-venomous snakes requires looking at other physical elements, like scale patterns under the tail.

Myth #5: Snakes Go Blind in the Summer

Nobody is quite sure where this old wives’ tale first developed, but the idea that snakes go blind in the summer has had lasting power. Most likely, this is due to people spotting snakes with cloudy, slightly opaque eyes. For people who are afraid of snakes, going out when they’re “blind” may seem like a good way to avoid coming into contact with them!

The Reality Is…

Cloudy eyes in snakes are usually related to shedding. Most people don’t realize how intensive the shedding process is. To prepare, lymphatic fluid separates the snake’s old skin from the new skin underneath to prevent damage. When the lymphatic fluid reaches the eyes, it creates a cloudy, bluish, or even milk-like appearance. Although snakes are not blinded, the fluid does make it more challenging to see, and the snakes may be less active during this time. The fluid is reabsorbed before shedding.

Does shedding always happen over the summer? No, but it can. Juvenile snakes usually shed every 4-6 weeks, while adult snakes may shed a few times each year.

Myth #6: Snakes Never Care for Their Young

Like many fish, reptiles, and insects, snakes are not known for being attentive parents. Most snakes abandon all parental duties after laying eggs or giving live birth, depending on the species. Scientific research suggests that snakes don’t have a strong social structure, nor do they form significant familial connections.

The Reality Is…

While it’s true that many snake species are not necessarily maternal, it would be distinctly false to claim that all snakes leave their young after birth. “Some snakes, particularly venomous ones, will protect eggs and even stay with offspring for some time. King cobras have even been known to nest build,” says Ghadrdan.

African rock pythons, though not venomous, are one of the more maternal snakes. A 2018 study published in the Journal of Zoology found that the mother pythons stayed with the hatchlings at the nest for around two weeks. As the article explains, “During this time, mothers alternated between brief bouts of basking on the surface and coiling around the hatched eggs, on which the neonates rested. During the night, neonates remained within the mother’s coils on the hatched eggs.”

Some people might argue that the mother snake is simply providing protection for the hatchlings, but not necessarily connecting or engaging with them. However, the evidence does support a broader understanding of snake maternity.

Myth #7: Venomous Snake Bites Will Kill You

We’ve all seen it in various movies and media: someone gets bitten by a rattlesnake or a copperhead, then near-immediately dies in a horrifyingly painful death. Those who survive do so in valiant fashion, often wrapping a tourniquet around the bite or even cutting or sucking out the venom. This has led to a fear that, should someone accidentally step on a snake while hiking or get bitten on a trip, they would have to say goodbye to all their loved ones.

The Reality Is…

According to the CDC, an estimated 7,000-8,000 people in the United States are bitten by venomous snakes each year. The death rate is comparatively low, with five people bitten eventually dying. However, snake bites can cause severe and long-lasting complications. Up to 44% of people will experience lasting injuries or side effects, which may include:

• Deformities or limbs that require amputation

• Depression or post-traumatic stress disorder

• Organ damage and/or failure

• Ulcers

• Skin necrosis

If you’re bitten, keep calm. Do not form a tourniquet or cut the skin where the bite happened, as these can localize the venom or introduce additional bacteria to the wound. Prepare to head to the emergency room as soon as you can to prevent widespread damage.

Some guidance suggests Benadryl may help control swelling as you pursue care. However, says Barbon, “Histamine isn’t a major component of snake bites, unlike something like a bee sting. There’s still a prevailing misunderstanding that antihistamines will reduce swelling. Reduction of swelling following a bite is not related to whether a patient has taken an antihistamine.”

Myth #8: Snakes Cannot Bite Underwater

Everyone loves a good beach vacation or river exploration day. Even if there are snakes nearby, you may feel like you’re totally in the clear since there’s a pervasive belief that snakes cannot bite underwater. This myth even comprises several species of semi-aquatic snakes, such as copperheads. This likely comes from an assumption that snakes have to open their mouths wide to strike effectively.

The Reality Is…

Snakes can and do absolutely bite underwater. A 2023 study published in Toxicon explored the rate of sea snakebites in Bangladeshi fishermen. The survey showed that 25.4% of participants were bitten by aquatic or semi-aquatic snakes while fishing. But if you’re nervous about getting bitten underwater, remember one big thing: snakes do not want to bite you! Most aquatic snake bites occur either because someone isn’t paying attention and steps on the snake, or, in cases like fishermen, they are trying to remove snakes caught in nets.

“An analogy I like to use to convince people not to hate snakes or be afraid of being bitten is that I stepped on a nail once. It went through my foot, but I don’t hate nails because nails ultimately help us,” says Ghadrdan. In short, there’s no need to be scared. Just practice caution around water and let the snakes live freely to help the environment.

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