Key Takeaways
What this article is about
A snake was found coiled on a tiled floor in Poza Rica, Veracruz, Mexico (North America), shortly after flooding and heavy trash buildup raised a hard question: was it venomous, and what is the safest way to respond?
What can be known from a quick look
A single look at body color and pattern is not enough for certainty. Head shape and tail details matter most.
The safety rule that beats the guess
Even when the odds seem to lean one way, the safest choice is to act as if the snake could be dangerous and let trained responders handle removal.
Story & Details
A scene that feels small, but is not
By early January two thousand twenty-six, the flooding that pushed water through streets and yards had already passed. Yet one quiet moment stayed sharp: a snake, thick-bodied and tightly coiled, resting on indoor tile. Its colors ran from brown to orange, marked with darker bands or blotches. It was close to a hard edge, like a step or curb.
In places like northern Veracruz, that sight can point in two directions at once. Some local snakes are medically dangerous. Others are not. And when the view is brief or unclear, the mind tries to fill in the missing pieces.
Why flooding and trash can bring snakes closer
Floodwater can erase a snake’s shelter. Burrows fill. Ground cover collapses. A snake that normally hides in brush may move fast to reach dry ground. Trash piles and debris can also change the map. They create cool hiding spots under bags, boards, and rubble. They can also attract prey such as rodents and frogs. Where prey gathers, hunters follow.
So yes: flooding and trash buildup can make a snake appear in places that feel surprising, including near homes.
The question everyone asks: venom or not
The first instinct is to name a species. In this case, a cautious guess leaned toward a pit viper family look, because the body appeared stout and the pattern seemed bold. Later, a second possibility became stronger: a large nonvenomous constrictor, because broad blotches can mimic danger patterns and the overall look can fit a boa-type body plan.
With the same limited view, two different answers can sound plausible. That is why the key question is not only “What is it?” but also “What is the safest next move?”
A practical probability, without pretending certainty
A blunt request came next: give a percentage, and say whether it was certain.
A careful estimate was offered, based only on the visible body and pattern and the lack of clear head and tail detail: roughly a twenty to thirty percent chance of venomous versus a seventy to eighty percent chance of nonvenomous. That estimate was paired with a stronger message: certainty was not available from that view, and safety behavior should not depend on a fragile guess.
The small anatomy detail that changes everything
A single, sharp question focused the identification problem: the facial heat-sensing pit used by many pit vipers. It is a small opening on each side of the head, between the eye and the nostril. It helps the snake detect warm prey, especially in low light.
In a clear side view of the head, that feature can be one of the strongest clues. In an unclear view, it disappears, and confidence should drop with it.
What safe response looks like in real life
When a snake is near a home, the safest response is quiet and simple.
Distance comes first. People and pets move away. If the snake is indoors, the space can be closed off by shutting a door. A towel can be placed along the gap under the door if it can be done without getting close. If the snake is outdoors, it helps to avoid cornering it and to leave a clear path away from the home.
The next step is to call trained help. In Poza Rica, the municipal public contact page lists emergency options: Civil Protection at 782 82 634 03, the Fire Department at 782 82 210 41, and the emergency line 911.
If a bite happens
The message for bites stayed consistent.
Medical care should be sought immediately. The person should stay as still as possible. The bitten limb should be kept still. Rings, watches, and tight items should be removed early.
Several common ideas were clearly rejected: no tourniquet, no cutting the wound, no sucking the venom, and no ice or soaking. Alcohol as a pain tool was also discouraged.
A tiny Dutch lesson, because language is also safety
The Netherlands (Europe) uses a different emergency number than Mexico (North America), but the basic sentence patterns for calling help can be learned fast.
A simple Dutch line is: Ik bel de hulpdiensten.
It is used to say that emergency services are being called.
Word by word:
Ik = I
bel = call
de = the
hulpdiensten = emergency services
A short, polite follow-up is: Kunt u helpen?
It is used to ask for help in a respectful way.
Word by word:
Kunt = can
u = you
helpen = help
These lines are plain and polite. They fit many situations.
Conclusions
The calm ending to a tense moment
In early January two thousand twenty-six, the floodwater had already moved on, but the snake encounter left a clean lesson behind. Identification can be uncertain when the view is limited. That is normal.
What matters most is the response: keep distance, protect people and pets, avoid risky handling, and use local emergency contacts. In a moment that feels fast and confusing, those steps stay steady.
Selected References
[1] https://poza-rica.gob.mx/contacto/
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/outdoor-workers/about/venomous-snakes.html
[3] https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/searo/india/health-topic-pdf/who-guidance-on-management-of-snakebites.pdf?sfvrsn=5528d0cf_2
[4] https://www.britannica.com/science/pit-organ
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS6nVKCITt8
Appendix
A–Z quick definitions
Antivenom. A medicine made with antibodies that can help neutralize snake venom in the body when given in a medical setting.
Civil Protection. A public emergency-response service that helps manage local hazards and urgent events, including wildlife risks near homes.
Constrictor. A nonvenomous snake group that subdues prey by squeezing rather than by injecting venom.
Emergency number. A short telephone number used to reach urgent help; in Mexico (North America) the emergency line is 911.
Fire Department. A public service that responds to fires and also many rescue calls, including urgent safety problems.
Heat-sensing pit. A small facial structure that detects warmth and helps some snakes locate warm-blooded prey.
Immobilization. Keeping a body part still to reduce movement and help limit harm while getting medical care.
Loreal pit. The common name for the heat-sensing pit found between the eye and the nostril in many pit vipers.
Pit viper. A venomous snake group known for hinged fangs and facial heat-sensing pits.
Venom. A toxic substance produced by some animals and delivered through a bite or sting.
Venomous snake. A snake that can inject venom through a bite and may cause serious injury or death without medical care.
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 