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SNAKE BITES IN THE UNITED STATES
OVERVIEW
(EDITORS NOTE: Please note this article was written for humans, and does not apply to pets)
Bites from venomous snakes in the United States are very rare. There are about 8000 such occurrences each year. A large number of those occur to those that work with snakes on a daily basis, such as zoo keepers, research workers and hobbyists who choose to keep venomous snakes at home. Another large portion of those bitten were trying to catch, tease, or kill a snake in the wild. Most other bites occur when someone steps on a snake and the snake bites in its own defense. Death occurs in less than 1% of the snakebites in this country, about 10 to 15 per year. One third of the rattlesnake bites are "dry" bites, in which no venom is injected.
PREVENTION
This describes the many way of avoiding the bite of a dangerous snake. Most of us will never come across a rattlesnake in the wild. However, there are certain people that tend to see them now and then. This could include telephone company field workers, ranchers, hunters, hikers, campers and others. These kinds of people usually plan snakebite prevention into their daily lives. (Keep in mind that most snakes are crepuscular and nocturnal and are not out during our active hours.)
Below are several guidelines for avoiding snakebites.
1. Wear appropriate footwear such as boots, chaps or high-top hiking shoes.
2. Step up onto logs or rocks rather than over them.
3. Don't place your hands on unseen ledges or into animal holes.
4. Don't turn rocks or boards over with bare hands. Use a tool.
5. Don't try to kill, catch or molest a venomous snake. Leave them alone.
6. Don't hike by yourself.
7. Learn what dangerous snakes in your area look like. Get a book.
8. Watch where you are walking.
FIRST AID
This describes measures taken in the field to minimize the effects of the bite of a venomous snake. Very few snakebite kits on the market offer much in the way of first aid. A kit with a strong suction device has some merit in the field. Many hikers and campers carry these devices with them. No snakebite first aid kit provides a cure. Treatment at a hospital should always be sought.
Below is a list of do's and don'ts when dealing with snakebite first aid.
1. Remain calm and inactive.
2. Don't make incisions over the snakebite.
3. Don't constrict the flow of blood.
4. Don't immerse a limb in ice water.
5. Use suction device or mouth to extract some venom. If performed within the first couple of minutes, this may help reduce the effects of the bite. This procedure should not be performed by someone with ulcers of the mouth or stomach.
6. Have another individual drive to medical care for treatment.
7. If you spend a lot of time in "snake country", locate a physician with snakebite treatment before hand, just in case.
TREATMENT
Steps taken at a hospital or other medical facility to counter the effects of snake venom is called treatment. The most common treatment includes the injection of an antivenin (or anti venom). Injecting small amounts of venom into a horse makes antivenin. The horse's immune system provides a defense against the venom. The horse's blood serum is then used in antivenin and given to human bite victims to counteract the effects of the bite. Only qualified medical personnel should administer antivenin. There are often side effects to be considered.
Treatment may also involve care given to relieve swelling, tetanus or local tissue damage. North American pit viper venom (rattlesnake, water moccasin, copperhead) is primarily hemotoxic, acting to destroy blood and muscle tissue.
Copyright © 1991 by American International Rattlesnake Museum
1. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Don't just blindly wander through woods, weeds, trails, bushes, and the like.
2. Avoid specific snake habitats like brush piles, debris mounds, logjams, root systems, abandoned buildings, watery areas, "cover" in general. Remember, they may be anywhere else also!
3. Wear leather shoes or boots at least ankle high or better when walking in suspected snake country.
4. Never sit or climb (feet and hands), or step over obstacles anywhere without first looking carefully prior to taking the move.
5. Observation is critical to avoidance - learn to check around with a sweeping glance for anything that seems out of place, for this may be your subconscious notice of a camouflaged critter lurking close by.
6. Near water of any kind, be aware that many species "hang out" there and will likely be quite hidden from view while they are sleeping or hunting - just be more alert.
7. Remember that snakes have needs for shelter, water, and food basically in that order just to survive, so be aware of these "needs" and be alert when these are especially present in any combination. Learn to recognize food favorites of the species in your area so that when you know the food animal's habits, you also know those of the snakes!
8. Try not to stalk along quietly as snakes have many sensing devices to warn them of your presence - let these work freely with noise, movements, etc. and thus not make the snake think it may be the target of a predator when it would need to become more aggressive!
9. Take a pet along on outings since these animals have a much more effective set of senses when it comes to snakes - a point guard is often a good confidence builder and may serve as a beneficial warning.
10. When a snake is spotted, leave it alone! So many bite victims have chosen to hit the snake or try to catch it. Remember, where there is one, there are likely others! Be alert!
11. Learn more about snakes in the area where you live or play so that you better understand their capabilities and behaviors.
12. Learn basic snakebite first aid. Prepare yourself and always expect the unexpected. Here is basic snake bite first aid information.
13. Be in tune with your environment - know that most critters, including snakes, try to avoid human contact. Practice skills that make you more aware of what is happening and what critical conditions are present as you move through the fields and streams.
Copyright Bayou Bob
HOW DANGEROUS ARE RATTLESNAKES
Only about one fourth of all snakes are venomous. Among the venomous snakes are those considered by experts to be highly dangerous and others that are of little concern as a danger to man. Those considered to be dangerous are so designated for several reasons:
1. Their venom may be highly toxic.
2. They may carry large quantities of venom.
3. They may live in close proximity to people.
4. They may be present in large numbers.
5. They may defend themselves more aggressively.
6. They may be agile or quick.
7. When they are being kept as "pets".
8. Medical facilities in the area may be poor.
9. They may have long fangs producing deep wounds.
10. Their color and pattern may hide their presence.
11. They may be active during the hours we are active.
12. They may be territorial or protective. (very uncommon)
Most rattlesnakes have relatively weak venoms when compared to the world's true vipers and cobras. Copperheads and water moccasins have comparatively weak venoms as well.
The Eastern and Western Diamondbacks are of concern in this country because of their wide distribution, their relatively large size (giving a greater striking distance - about one-third to one-half their body length), the deep puncture wounds they inflict, and their large amounts of venom. The Western Diamondback will also readily defend itself. The Mojave Rattlesnake is the most potently venomous of this country's rattlesnakes. The corral snake's venom is a potent neurotoxin but the snake is not considered particularly dangerous because of its demure manner.
Rattlesnakes will make every effort to avoid contact with people. We are far more dangerous to this secretive animal than it is to us. In almost every case, we are treading on the snakes' home territory when we encounter them, and in almost every case, the rattlesnake looses its life.
Many bites are the result of someone trying to capture, kill, or handle the snake, and a good number of bites occur to snake keepers, both private and professional. The bite is a defensive reaction and should not be considered an act of aggression. The rattlesnake's rattle offers the snake a means of communication, designed to warn larger animals of their position.
In the United States, humans experience about 8000 bites from venomous snakes each year. Of those, an average of 12 per year, less than 1%, result in death. Far more people die each year from bee stings, lightning strikes, or almost any other reason. Incidentally, one-third of all rattlesnake bites are "dry" bites, when no venom has been injected.
The rattlesnake's role as an important link in the food web far outweighs its potential danger to our well being. In fact, rodent born diseases are probably controlled to a great extent by rattlesnakes and other predators. Offer them respect, observe them from a safe distance, and then leave them to perform their valuable ecological function.
The only good snake is a live snake!
Copyright © 1991 by American International Rattlesnake Museum