How to Draw Snakes

Study the shapes of snake facial scales to help you identify and draw what you see.

Snake bodies are covered with overlapping scales (see previous post for tricks on drawing body scales). The scales of the head of many snakes are larger and important clues to identification. Study the shapes of these scales to help you draw them in the field.

Lets learn the major facial scales. The specific shapes and numbers of these scales will vary between species.

Labial scales: Large scales over the lips (upper labials and lower labials) These scales vary in number between species. and are often counted to help in identification.

Parietal scales: Two large shields behind the eyes.

Ocular scales: A ring of scales over the eye. The scale directly over the eye (supraocular) is enlarged.

Frontal scale(s): A large scale (or scales) between the supraocular scales. Prefrontal scales: A line of scales in front of the eyes.

Nasal and internasal scales: Small scales around and between the nostrils.

Facial diagram

Chart the patterns of scales on a snake’s face. If you do not know what species you are looking at, these scale shapes can be used to later identify the species. Note: only try this if you are confidant in identifying all of the venomous species in your area.