Snakes and Poisonous Snake Identification in the U.S.A.

U.S. Venomous Snake Facts:

Each year in the U.S., approximately 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes and approximately 12 will die as a result of their bites.

The low mortality rate is based on prompt emergency medical treatment and anti-venom availability in areas with large populations of venomous snakes, ie. Southern California, Texas, Florida.

Even though every one of the 48 continental U.S. states except Maine, is known to have at least one venomous species of snake, in many States, such as in New England, these snakes are rare outside of very small habitats and are endangered due to a long history of indiscriminate killing.

There are 4 types of venomous snakes in the U.S., with 20 sub-species residing in different geographical areas, climates and habitats. The 4 types are: rattlesnake, copperhead, cottonmouth or water moccasin, and coral snake. Of these, the rattlesnake is the most common and widespread throughout the U.S.

The rattlesnake, cottonmouth, and copperhead belong to the pit viper family and have similar triangular shaped wide heads, with a blunt snout and characteristic eliptical,cat-like pupils in their eyes. They have small pits between their eyes and snout, which can sense heat and help them to hunt for warm blooded prey, such as rodents, at night. As far as color patterns, these may vary according to the species, and age of the snake. Rattlesnakes of course also have small characteristic rattles at the end of their tail which produce a buzzing or rattling alarm when they feel threatened. Copperheads are also known to vibrate their tails when threatened, which can produce a similar sound if they are hiding in leaf litter.

Coral snakes belong to the elipad family (cobra, et al) and are best identified by their striking colors and banding. Other non-venomous snakes such as the king snake have similar markings which led to the following folk rhymes for identification, "Red and yellow, kill a fellow; red and black, friendly jack", and "Red and yellow, kill a fellow; red and black, venom lack". Although these ryhmes are correct, they only apply to coral snakes found in North America.

Rattlesnakes can be found pretty much across the U.S., although again, in many northern states, they may be isolated in a few small areas. Copperheads are found primarily in the east and southeast areas of the U.S., from Texas to Massachusetts and are found in all types of terrain from forested areas to swamps. Cottonmouths are also found in the southeastern U.S. and are semi-aquatic, preferring swamps, lakes and rivers. The coral snake is found primarily in the deep south from Florida to Arizona and typically lives in undeveloped areas, from forests to desert.

All four of these types average around 30" long as adults, although some individuals and species grow longer. They are all predators who feed primarily on rodents, other small mammals,amphibians and other small reptiles. Because of this, they are very important parts of their eco-systems and should be left alone.

All snakes including venomous species will try to escape from human contact, as their first line of defense. So to avoid bites, leave them alone and let them go on their way.

When cornered, the rattlesnake and copperhead will vibrate their tails, which may give you a sound warning to stay away.

The cottonmouth will generally open it's mouth wide and display it's fangs and characteristic white mouth, as a warning.

In scientific testing of the venomous species, the copperhead is the most likely to strike first, with the least amount of provocation. It is therefore logical that copperhead bites are the most frequent in the U.S. The State of North Carolina holds the dubious distiction of the most copperhead bites of any State within the U.S. on average. Fortunately, copperhead venom is the least toxic of the venomous U.S. snake types and it typically only injects small amounts of venom. Although not usually fatal, nontheless, the copperhead bite is extremely painful and requires immediate emergency medical treatment to avoid massive tissue destruction, secondary infection and loss of use of muscles and limbs.

The type and toxicity of rattlesnake venom varies widely between different species. Most rattlesnakes have a type of hemotoxic venom, which targets and destroys blood cells and tissues. The canebrake rattlesnake of the southeastern U.S. and the mojave rattlesnake of the far west are considered two of the most dangerous venomous snakes because they have a neurotoxic venom which attacks the nerve cells and can lead to paralysis, lung and heart failure. Then there's the southern pacific rattlesnake of coastal southern California, which has a very lethal combination of both hemotoxic and neurotoxic agents in it's venom.

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest of the venomous U.S. species reaching 3 to 5 feet in length. It is also very dangerous due to the amount of venom it injects with a bite, typically enough to kill 6 humans.. Venom amounts often vary with the size of the snake. Even baby venomous snakes though, usually produce serious amounts of venom and should be considered as dangerous as the adult snakes.

Approximately one out of four venomous snake bites is a "dry bite" meaning that no venom is injected with the bite. Nevertheless, emergency medical treatment should be sought immediately to rule out the need for antivenom treatment and to clean-out the wound. All snake bites,non-venomous, as well as venomous, are serious, since snakes have an abundance of bacteria in their mouths that can cause serious infections in humans.

The bite of the pit vipers, which includes the rattlesnake species, the copperheads and the cottonmouths, are typically very painful and can cause massive tissue damage in proximity to the bite. The rattlesnake bite is considered more dangerous than that of the cottonmouth and the cottonmouth's more than that of the copperhead, in terms of the toxicity of the venom.

The coral snake is the most elusive of the four venomous snake types in North America and is seldom seen. It is a burrower and spends most of the time hidden under leaf litter or sand. It tends to be very shy and less aggressive than the pit vipers. It has two small fixed fangs at the front of its mouth, unlike the 3 types of pit vipers, which have long retractable fangs.

Coral snakes have a deadly neurotoxic venom, and when they bite, they tend to latch onto the prey, in order to inject their venom, rather than the quick strikes and more massive injections, characteristic of the other three venomous snake types.

Coral snakes account for approximately 30 snake bites a year in the U.S. Bites from this snake are relatively less painful than the pit vipers and the affects of the venom may be delayed as much as 12 hours after the bite occurs. The venom being a neurotoxin, causes damage to the central nervous system and poses a serious threat to the respiratory and cardiac systems, as well as, paralysis. Patients bitten by coral snakes are admitted to the hospital for at least 24 hours to monitor their symptoms and treatment needs.

Photo below is a copperhead, which was taken in a swamp in South Carolina. Eyes are clouded-over indicating that it is ready to shed it's skin.

The Canebreak Rattlesnake, Southeastern U.S., Below


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Southwestern U.S., "Mojave Green"Rattlesnake ,Above

It's a fact that most snake bites occur when handling snakes. So the first and foremost rule, is to leave them alone. If you have one in your home, or backyard get an experienced handler to come and remove it. Don't try to kill it or attempt to move it yourself.

Know your area and its wildlife. If you live in an area that has a known venomous snake population, be careful when outdoors doing gardening or other yard activities.

Educate your children concerning any snake dangers in your area and strictly warn them against picking up snakes. Children, because of their body size, are more at risk when bitten by venoumous snakes, and are more apt to pick-up a snake due to their curiosity. Even a dead venomous snake can still reflexively bite and inject venom(ie.no picking-up road kill).

When hiking, camping or involved in outdoor activities in areas known to have venomous snakes, be especially careful around fallen logs, rock piles, leaf piles and caves, where snakes tend to hang out. Be wary at night, as most of these snakes tend to be nocturnal hunters and lay low during the heat of the day.

If you are a hunter, or someone engaged in other outdoor activity which takes you into undeveloped/ wilderness areas and known venomous snake territory, be cautious, use common sense and consider wearing snake-proof boots. Take an appropriate first aid kit and familiarize yourself with first aid techniques for snake bites.

Be especially knowlegeable and wary of venomous snakes, if you live in suburban areas bordering on wilderness lands, such as commonly found in southern California, Arizona, Florida and other sun belt states.

All of these snakes tend to be much more active in the Spring, when they are coming out of their dens following winter hibernation, and roaming far and wide in search of food. Also, these snakes tend to be more active in the early evening, after avoiding the heat of the day. Again, venomous snakes tend to be nocturnal hunters.

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