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That's almost true only in North America. I say almost because the coral snake is an exception to the rule and is the most venomous snake in the U.S. Outside of the U.S. the rule doesn't work so well because there are many venomous snakes that have round pupils. The shape of the head is a bit easier way to tell a venomous snake from a non-venomous one from a distance. Most venomous snakes are pit vipers and have triangular shaped heads. Again, the coral snake is an exception. There aren't that many species of venomous snake in the U.S. so it's quite beneficial to be familiar with them and isn't that difficult to learn. If you can identify the venomous ones the rest aren't nearly as scary. It's true that not all bites from venomous snakes inject venom because the experienced snakes only want to scare you away because you are too large to kill and eat. They don't always intentionally envenom something they don't intend to eat. Young snakes lack the experience to regulate their venom though and rarely dry bite. Never assume you've not been envenomed and always seek medical attention immediately.
That's almost true only in North America. I say almost because the coral snake is an exception to the rule and is the most venomous snake in the U.S. Outside of the U.S. the rule doesn't work so well because there are many venomous snakes that have round pupils. The shape of the head is a bit easier way to tell a venomous snake from a non-venomous one from a distance. Most venomous snakes are pit vipers and have triangular shaped heads. Again, the coral snake is an exception. There aren't that many species of venomous snake in the U.S. so it's quite beneficial to be familiar with them and isn't that difficult to learn. If you can identify the venomous ones the rest aren't nearly as scary. It's true that not all bites from venomous snakes inject venom because the experienced snakes only want to scare you away because you are too large to kill and eat. They don't always intentionally envenom something they don't intend to eat. Young snakes lack the experience to regulate their venom though and rarely dry bite. Never assume you've not been envenomed and always seek medical attention immediately.
