What type of snake is this? (seen in Southern California)

[Inner_Stickler]

No one is arguing that a distinction can’t be made. If you and Novelty Bubble want to use venomous and poisonous in this way, please do so, but don’t pretend that your stylistic choice is anything other than what it is: a personal preference.

@Crotalus

When I worked in a venom lab in the 1970s, we used the words interchangably in conversation, but we did refer to our company as a venom lab, not a poison lab. I never ran into nitpickery on this topic until I started reading SDMB, and it makes me roll my eyes every time I see it.

@Colibri

When I took herpetology in 1972, I don’t ever recall a distinction being made. I’ve only heard this supposed distinction within the past decade or so.

And you can find just as many dictionary entries that don’t bother with a distinction. From Google:
(of an animal) producing poison as a means of attacking enemies or prey; venomous.
adjective: poisonous
“a poisonous snake”
synonyms: venomous, deadly
“a poisonous snake”