Why FangCheck Exists
In 2024, my landscaper spotted a brown snake on the side of my house in Spartanburg, South Carolina — and killed it.
When I asked what kind it was, he replied, "I don't know, it was brown."
That moment haunted me. What if it was harmless? What if it was keeping rodents away? What if my kids or dog encountered the next one?
I realized I'd done the same thing countless times — killed snakes around my home without truly knowing if they were dangerous. And I wasn't alone.
The Real Cost of Not Knowing
Every year in the United States, thousands of people face the same fear I did. The statistics are sobering:
- 7,000–8,000 venomous snakebites occur annually in the U.S.
- An estimated 80% of non-venomous snakes are killed out of fear and misidentification
- The best snake ID apps claim only 78% accuracy — meaning 1 in 5 identifications are WRONG
- Not a single app is designed for emergency situations
I went looking for a solution. What I found shocked me.
Existing snake identification apps treated the problem like identifying a plant — a casual curiosity exercise, not a safety decision. They showed me species that don't even live in South Carolina. They buried safety warnings in fine print. And when I asked, "What if I'm actually bitten?" — they had no answer.
The worst part? These apps could give you the wrong answer in a life-or-death moment, and you'd never know until it was too late.
I knew we could build something better.
Black Racer
Harmless · Southeastern U.S.
Cottonmouth
Venomous · Southeastern U.S.
We Built FangCheck to Be Different
FangCheck isn't just another snake identification app. It's the first app built specifically for safety-critical moments — when seconds matter and accuracy is everything.
Here's what makes us different:
Location-Filtered AI
Our AI only shows you snakes that actually live in your region — eliminating impossible matches and dramatically improving accuracy.
Expert Verification Network
When our AI is uncertain, your identification is escalated to a global network of verified herpetologists for a human second opinion.
Emergency-First Design
Every screen in FangCheck has fast access to first-aid protocols, poison control, and the nearest antivenom hospital.
Offline Safety Protocols
All emergency first-aid content works offline — because the moment you need it most may be the moment you have no signal.
| Feature | FangCheck | SnakeSnap | iNaturalist | Google Lens |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instant AI Result | ||||
| Location Filtering | ||||
| Expert Verification | ||||
| Emergency Protocols | ||||
| Offline Access |
Hi, I'm Anthony Miller
I'm not a herpetologist or a biologist — I'm just a homeowner in Spartanburg, South Carolina who got tired of killing harmless snakes out of fear.
After that conversation with my landscaper, I spent months researching snake identification, talking to herpetologists at universities across the Southeast, and testing every snake app on the market. I learned about the ecological importance of snakes (they control rodent populations and maintain balance in our yards). I learned about the real risks versus the perceived risks (most "dangerous-looking" snakes are completely harmless).
But most importantly, I learned that the tools people were relying on in critical moments simply weren't good enough.
FangCheck is the app I wish existed the first time I saw a snake in my yard. It's built for people like me — and like my landscaper — who just want a straight answer: "Is this dangerous, and what should I do?"
If you have questions, suggestions, or just want to share your snake story, I'd love to hear from you.
— Anthony Miller
Founder & CEO, FangCheck
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Building the 1% Go-To App
Our goal isn't to be the biggest snake identification app — it's to be the one people trust when it matters most.
That means:
Accuracy over speed (but we give you both)
We use location filtering, multi-photo analysis, and expert verification to get the answer right — not just fast.
Safety over curiosity (emergency protocols come first)
Every feature in FangCheck is designed around one question: how do we keep you safe in this moment?
Transparency over hype (we tell you when we're uncertain)
We show you confidence scores, alternative possibilities, and clear guidance when we aren't sure.
Education over fear (helping people coexist with snakes)
Most snakes are harmless and beneficial. We help you understand them instead of fearing them.
FangCheck By the Numbers
Help Us Build Something Better
Whether you're a hiker, a homeowner, a parent, or just someone who wants to stop killing harmless snakes out of fear — FangCheck is for you.
Here's how you can help:
📱 Try FangCheck — The best way to support us is to use the app and tell us what works.
🧑🔬 Join Our Expert Network — Are you a herpetologist? Help verify uncertain identifications.
💬 Spread the Word — Know someone who encounters snakes regularly? Share FangCheck with them.
🐍 Share Your Story — Have a snake encounter story? We'd love to hear it.
Questions? Feedback? Just want to chat about snakes?
FangCheck
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Built with ❤️ for safer snake encounters