Oklahoma is home to the glass lizard , a lizard without legs. Neurotoxins - venom proteins that disrupt nerve transmission. Snakes should not be killed or captured. Snakes are very useful in controlling rodent and insect pest populations. All venomous snakes in Oklahoma are pit vipers and easily distinguished from other snakes.
Pit vipers have a heat sensitive organ located between their nostril and eye.
This organ is used to find warm-blooded prey. Most people who are bitten by snakes either do not see the snake before it bites or are trying to kill or catch the snake. While the characteristics below are easy for an experienced person to recognize, students should treat all snakes as potentially dangerous and give them space. There are no alligators found in our area, but they have been reported in the extreme southeastern corner of Oklahoma. While the alligator is best known, the American Crocodile is found in southern Florida.