First Aid for Snake Bites

In Western culture, snakes have often played the role of the villain. Whether it be on the big screen, in movies like "Anaconda" and "Snakes on a Plane" or on the front page of the local newspaper, snakes have been given a bad rap. While it cannot be denied that snakes can be dangerous in some cases, many would argue that they are not deserving of their poor reputation. For many Americans, snakes are respected creatures and beloved pets. In ancient Greece, snakes were thought to have healing powers, a belief which continues to be reflected in the well-known symbol used by many medical organizations (a snake wrapped around the staff of Asclepius, the god of healing and medicine).

There are approximately 130 different species and subspecies of snakes that reside in North America. Of these, only a few species are known to be poisonous, including Coral Snakes (2 species) and Pit Vipers (17 species - includes Rattlesnakes, Copperheads and Water Moccasins).

The following are the most common species of venomous snakes known to North America and the regions where they are most commonly found.

1. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) - Southeastern U.S. in lower coastal plains; Southeastern N. Carolina to the Florida Keys, Western to Southern Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana. Normal Venom Yield (NY): 40-70 mg. Lethal Dose (LD): 100 mg.

2. Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) - Most of the Eastern U.S., except for the extreme Northern regions. NY: 100-200 mg. LD: 75-100 mg.

3. Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus) - Southeastern U.S.; Southern Nevada, Southern California and Southwestern Utah. NY: 50-90 mg. LD: 10-15 mg.

4. Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) - Southwestern U.S., from Southeastern California eastward to Central Arkansas. NY: 200-300 mg. LD: 100mg.

5. Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchellii) - Desert areas of the Southwestern U.S. NY: Up to 229 mg. LD: Local/systemic effects.

6. Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius) - Eastern N. Carolina to the Florida Keys west to Eastern Oklahoma and East Texas. NY: 25-35 mg. LD: 30-40 mg.

7. Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) - Northwest Pennsylvania west to Eastern Iowa and southwest into Texas. NY: 20-30 mg. LD: Local/systemic effects.

8. Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) - Dessert areas of the Southwestern U.S. NY: 20-35 mg. LD: 40 mg.

9. Blacktail Rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus) - Arizona east to Central Texas, south through Central Mexico. NY: 286 mg avg. LD: Local/systemic effects.

10. Tiger Rattlesnake (Crotalus tigris) - Central Arizona south to S. Sonora, Mexico. NY: 6.4-11 mg. LD: Local reactions.

11. Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) - Most parts of Southeastern U.S. and in Southern Missouri to South-Central Oklahoma and Central Texas. NY: 100-150 mg. LD: 100-150 mg.

12. Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) - Eastern Copperhead: Southeastern U.S. and also in Eastern Texas and Eastern Oklahoma. Northern Copperhead: From Southwestern Massachusetts to Southwestern Illinois, south to Northeastern Mississippi, Northern Alabama, North and Central Georgia and Piedmont, S. Carolina. NY: 40-70 mg. LD: 100 mg.

13. Western Coral Snake (Micruroides euryxanthus) - Central Arizona to Southwestern New Mexico south to Mexico. NY: 3-5 mg. LD: 4-5 mg.

14. Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius) - Southeastern N. Carolina to Southern Florida (and the Florida Keys) west to Southern Texas. NY: 3-5 mg. LD: 4-5 mg.

15. Twin-Spotted Rattlesnake (Crotalus pricei) - Southeastern Arizona, Chiricahua Mountains. NY: 8 mg. LD: Local/systemic effects.

16. Red Diamond Rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber) - Southern California. NY: 150-300 mg. LD: 100 mg.

17. Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) - NY: 75-160 mg. LD: 70-160 mg.

18. Ridgenose Rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi) - NY: 3.1 mg. LD: Local reactions

19. Yellow Bellied Sea Snake (Pelamis platurus) - NY: 2.8 mg. LD: 3.7 - 7.5 mg.

While it is often very difficult to distinguish venomous snakes from non-poisonous species, there are a few characteristics to watch out for. Most of the poisonous snakes known to North American have slit-like eyes, triangularly-shaped heads, and a depression midway between their nostrils and eyes. Rattlesnakes can also be identified by the rattling sound made by the shaking of their tail.

Most snakes just wish to be left alone and will not bite unless they feel threatened or surprised. Picking up, poking or attempting to play with any snake is just asking for trouble.

In the rare occurrence that you are bitten by one of the above venomous snakes, you should quickly take action and administer the following first aid:

DO:
-Remain calm
-Immobilize the bitten appendage
-Stay as quiet as possible
-Remove all jewelry, as swelling may progress rapidly
-Apply a loose splint to the affected area to reduce movement, BUT make sure it is loose enough to prevent restricting blood flow
-Seek medical attention ASAP, especially if the bitten area changes color, begins to swell or become painful

DON'T
-Try to capture the snake - it is unnecessary and dangerous
-Use a tourniquet
-Apply ice
-Cut the wound or attempt to remove the venom

Information regarding habitat was obtained from: http://www.trailquest.net

Information regarding average venom yields and lethal dosages was obtained from:
Venomous Reptiles of North America, Ernst (1992)

Information regarding First Aid was obtained from: http://www.mayoclinic.com