For Snakes Sake - Know your Snakes
Image (c) Edi Arangies
Snakes currently on exhibit at Zoo Atlanta
AZA (Association of Zoos & Aquariums) accredited zoos are always a great place to go and explore and learn about reptiles and amphibians in your area. Coming from Africa, I was absolutely fascinated and very excited to be able to see who calls Georgia their home.
Even though a majority of the snakes currently on exhibit are not indigenous to the US or specifically the south eastern US, it is always interesting learning about exotic snakes and the challenges they face to survive. All have a variety of things in common, especially loss of habitat and being killed, either out of fear, or ignorance (mistaken identity).
2 of the snakes come from Africa which made me feel right at home, the Cape Cobra (Naja nivea) and the Red Spitting Cobra (Naja pallida), but we'll leave them when we cover some of the exotic snakes on exhibit at Zoo Atlanta.
The following listed below are from the US, so I will start with them to familiarize you and post some interesting facts about them. I will add a clickable link to each one as I add the pages, so keep an eye out as we continue to add. Please note that the snakes on exhibit can change at any time and without prior notice. I will add accordingly
Image (c) Edi Arangies
Banded Rock Rattlesnake, Crotalus lepidus
Crotalus lepidus is a venomous pit viper species found in the southwestern United States and northern central Mexico.
Common Kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula
Commonly known as the Eastern Kingsnake, Common Kingsnake, or Chain Kingsnake, is a harmless *colubrid species* endemic to the United States and Mexico. They eat other snakes, including venomous snakes. They have developed a hunting technique to avoid being bitten by clamping down on the jaws of the venomous prey, but even if bitten, they are immune to the venom.
Copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix
A species of venomous snake endemic to Eastern North America, a member of the Crotalinae (pit viper) subfamily. The common name for this species is the copperhead.
Corn Snake, Pantherophis guttatus
A North American species of rat snake that subdues its small prey by constriction. It is found throughout the southeastern and central United States. Though superficially resembling the venomous copperhead and often killed as a result of this mistaken identity, corn snakes are harmless and beneficial to humans. Corn snakes lack venom and help control populations of wild rodent pests that damage crops and spread disease.
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Crotalus adamenteus
A pit viper species found in the southeastern United States. It is the heaviest though not the longest venomous snake in the Americas and the largest rattlesnake.
Eastern Milksnake, Lampropeltis traingulum
Commonly known as a Milk Snake or Milksnake, is a species of king snake. There are 24 subspecies of milk snakes. They are not venomous or otherwise dangerous to humans.
Eastern Ratsnake, Pantherophis alleghaniensis
Commonly called the eastern Ratsnake, is a nonvenomous colubrid species endemic to North America.
Florida Pine Snake, Pituophis mugitus
Commonly known as the pine snake, is a nonvenomous species of colubrid endemic to the southeastern United States.
Pygmy Rattle snake, Sistrurus miliarius
A venomous pit viper species found in the southeastern United States. The tiny rattle makes a buzzing sound that can only be heard from a few feet. Some individuals are very aggressive and will strike furiously, while others seem lethargic and do not even attempt to rattle.
Speckled Rattlesnake, Crotalus mitchelli
A venomous pit viper species found in the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It was named in honor of Silas Weir Mitchell (1829–1914), a medical doctor who also studied rattlesnake venoms.
*The Colubridae (from Latin coluber, snake) are a family of snakes. With 304 genera and 1,938 species, they are the largest snake family, and include about two-thirds of all known living snake species. The earliest species of the family date back to the Oligocene epoch. Colubrid species are found on every continent except Antarctica.
Pit Vipers Rock!
What is a Pit Viper: a venomous snake of a group distinguished by visible sensory pits on the head that can detect heat emitted by their prey. They are found in both America and Asia.
Image (c) Edi Arangies
If you are interested in Snake Conservation here in the Georgia US, we recommend you join and support the Orianne Society and learn about the incredible work they do for Reptiles and Amphibians!
Image (c) Orianne Society
** Please note that Zoo Atlanta is not responsible for information that has been posted on these pages.
