How many poisonous snakes are there?

About 250 different snakes are native North Americans and some 36 of them have poisonous venom strong enough to harm us. Throughout the world there are perhaps several hundred poisonous snakes including the deadly cobras, some of whom can spit out venom and damage their victims without getting close enough to bite them.

Every sensible person learns to recognize the dangerous snakes he is likely to meet in his home state or province. Winter is a good time to study up on these enemies, for then we shall be prepared to meet them when we go outdoors in the summer. We also should study up on the poisonous snakes we are likely to meet when we plan to take a vacation away from home.