OPEN-FILE REPORT 92


 Poison oak is an erect shrub that can grow several feet tall. The leaves resemble oak
leaves and usually (but not always) occur in groups of three. The berries are generally yellow
and grow in clusters.


Reptiles


 A wide variety of snakes, including the eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus
adamanteus), the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), the cottonmouth water moccasin
(Agkistrodon piscivorus), the pygmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus milarius), and the eastern coral snake
(Micrurus fulvius) were encountered this year while doing fieldwork. Bites from any of these
snakes are serious and can be fatal in some cases. The photos below of various snakes are
provided in order to help in identifying them.
 Note the distinctive diamond pattern on the eastern diamondback rattlesnake versus the
pattern for the timber rattlesnake as seen in the photos on the next page. Both snakes are highly
poisonous, but are rarely aggressive unless stepped on or cornered. The timber rattlesnake can
reach 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length and the eastern diamondback 7 feet (2.1 meters). The pygmy
rattlesnake is much smaller than the other two rattlers, generally less than 2 feet (0.6 meters), but
is still quite venomous. The cottonmouth water moccasin, however, can be particularly
aggressive and has been known to approach people. This snake has a very distinctive white
mouth and throat, from whence its name is derived. The eastern coral snake can easily be
identified by two features: the black snout, and the red and yellow bands which touch each other.
While generally nonaggressive, bites from this snake are often fatal unless treated with antivenin
within a few hours.