The seven species belong to a group known as pit vipers and share several physical and behavioural traits.
asserted
species → belong → traits
According to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, their eyes have elliptical pupils that help them see.
uncertain
them → accord → pupils
Their back and side scales are keeled, meaning each scale has a raised ridge in its centre.
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scale → mean → centre
Each has a pair of heat-sensing pits between the eyes and nostrils.
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Each → have → eyes
These pits help the snakes hunt by following heat trails left by prey.
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snakes → help → prey
Many can also be distinguished by rattles on their tails.
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Many → distinguish → tails
What are the seven venomous snakes found in Oklahoma
The poster from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation identifies seven venomous snakes in Oklahoma that are Prairie Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake, Copperhead, Western Massasauga, Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, Western Pygmy Rattlesnake, and Western Cottonmouth.
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that → find → Oklahoma
All belong to the pit viper group.
asserted
All → belong → group
Their eyes have elliptical pupils that help them see.
asserted
them → have → pupils
Their back and side scales are keeled, meaning each scale has a raised ridge in its centre.
asserted
scale → keel → centre
Each has a pair of heat-sensing pits between the eyes and nostrils.
asserted
Each → have → eyes
These pits help the snakes hunt by following heat trails left by prey.
asserted
snakes → help → prey
PC: Wikipedia
How can the Prairie and Timber Rattlesnakes be identified
The Prairie Rattlesnake can be found in rocky outcrops, canyons, open grasslands, and prairie dog towns.
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Rattlesnake → identify → outcrops
It spends days in rodent burrows.
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It → spend → burrows
Adults range from 34 to 45 inches.
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Adults → range → inches
Brown blotches with dark edges run along the middle of the back, changing to dark brown bands on the tail.
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blotches → run → tail
The tail has large rattles; the belly is white.
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belly → have → rattles
The Timber Rattlesnake can be found in forested habitats from rocky, wooded hillsides to swampy wetlands.
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Rattlesnake → find → wetlands
Adults range from 35 to 54 inches.
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Adults → range → inches
Its colour varies from nearly black to light yellowish-tan, with bar-shaped or rectangular cross bands on the back half and dark blotches near the head.
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colour → vary → head
Where are the Western Massasauga, Diamond-backed, and Pygmy rattlesnakes found
The Western Massasauga, also called the ‘sand rattler’ or ‘ground rattler’, can be found near wetlands and prairie hillsides.
asserted
Massasauga → find → wetlands
Adults range from 18 to 26 inches.
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Adults → range → inches
It has a light grayish-brown background, dark brown blotches edged in white along the centre of the back and smaller blotches on each side.
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It → have → side
Its small rattles make little sound.
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rattles → make → sound
The Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake can be found in arid areas, rocky outcrops, and bluffs.
asserted
Rattlesnake → back → areas
Adults range from 30 to 72 inches, and it is the largest venomous snake in Oklahoma.
asserted
it → range → Oklahoma
It has dark, diamond-shaped blotches edged with white along its grayish-brown back.
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It → have → back
Its tail has bold black and white bands.
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tail → have → bands
The Western Pygmy Rattlesnake can be found in oak woodlands or mixed oak-pine forests.
asserted
Rattlesnake → find → woodlands
What do Copperheads and Western Cottonmouths look like
The Copperhead can be found in a wide variety of habitats, and adults range from 22 to 36 inches.
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adults → look → inches
Oklahoma has three subspecies that are Broad-banded Copperhead, Osage Copperhead, and Southern Copperhead.
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that → have → subspecies
Their bodies have alternating light and dark bands.
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bodies → have → bands
Juveniles have a yellow tail tip.
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Juveniles → have → tip
The venom is rarely fatal but causes local tissue damage.
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venom → cause → damage
The Western Cottonmouth can be found in swamps, marshes, and wetlands, along streams or around permanent water such as ponds.
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Cottonmouth → find → ponds
Adults range from 20 to 42 inches.
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Adults → range → inches
The Aporia
