Poisonous Snakes of the Eastern United States

Not many people like to think about them but unless you live on the moon, chances are there could be a snake in your backyard. There are numerous types of snakes all over the world, some venomous and some not. The United States is home to four venomous snakes of differing varieties, some reaching lengths of up to eight feet! With antivenins available for all matter of snake bite in the U.S., an accidental encounter with this slithery reptile doesn't have to be a deadly one. Areas where the likelihood of snake bites is high often stock antivenins for snakes specific to their area, but those that see infrequent attacks don't usually carry them, and in cases like these time is of the essence.

There are four major types of venomous snakes in the United States, all of which have a variety or two in the eastern half of the United States. Rattlesnakes, Cottonmouth Moccasins, Copperheads and Coral Snakes have all put their roots down in mainly the southeastern states, with a few reaching up into the northern states. From the Rattlesnake category there are four subspecies - the Eastern Diamondback, the Timber Rattlesnake, the Pygmy Rattlesnake, and the Massasauga Rattlesnake. Cottonmouths or Cottonmouth Water Moccasins are a highly aggressive snake. From the Copperhead category there are Eastern Copperheads and Northern Copperheads, the Coral Snakes in the east are referred to as the Eastern Coral Snake.

Rattlesnakes are pit vipers, meaning they have small heat-sensing organs that look like pits on either side of their head. They have long, hollow fangs whose main purpose is to inject venom. The Eastern Diamondback, at 96" or 8 feet long, is the largest and most dangerous rattlesnake in the U.S., making it's home as far north as southeast North Carolina all they way down to the Florida Keys, and traveling as far west as southern Mississippi and eastern Louisiana. The Timber rattlesnake, at 75" long, covers most of the eastern U.S., with the exception of the extreme northern states. The Timber likes to live in remote wooded hillsides and swampy areas. The Pygmy rattlesnake grows to only 15-31" and lives in an area that stretches from eastern North Carolina to the Florida Keys, and as far west as easter Oklahoma and eastern Texas. The Massasauga reaches lengths of 18-39" and is unique because of the nine enlarged scales on it's head. The Massasauga lives mainly in northwestern Pennsylvania and stretches as far west as eastern Iowa, and as far south as southwest Texas.

Rattlesnakes feed mainly on rodents and other small animals, their venom rapidly subduing their prey with a quick bite. If an animal does not immediately become stunned they will follow their injured victim until they do. Rattlesnakes are born venomous and with the capabilities of striking. They are known to strike up to two-thirds their body length. Quick medical treatment is necessary for anyone bitten by a rattlesnake, regardless of the severity or the symptoms of the victim. Often the severe symptoms won't occur until hours after the first bite and it impossible to know how much venom was released, so it is imperative that you go to the closest emergency room as soon as possible.

Cottonmouths are an extremely aggressive and therefore highly dangerous species of snake. Reaching lengths of up to 75", Cottonmouths like to inhabit lowland swamps, lakes, rivers, irrigation ditches and streams. They live in most southeastern states and stretch to southern Missouri, south-central Oklahoma and central Texas. Cottonmouths often hunt for small birds, other snakes, fish, lizards and mammals. They get their name from the cotton-like color of their open mouths. With venom more toxic then a Copperhead, but no where near as toxic as a Rattlesnake, Copperhead bites can often be treated with intravenous fluids and antibiotics, reserving the antivenin for more serious cases. Any bite, however, must receive immediate medical attention.

The Eastern Copperhead inhabits most of the southeastern United States, stretching as far west as eastern Texas and eastern Oklahoma. The Northern Copperhead lives from southwestern Massachusetts to southwestern Illinois, and goes as far south as northeastern Mississippi, northern Alabama, northern and central Georgia and the piedmont of South Carolina. Copperheads are the most commonly found venomous snake in the eastern United States and a relative of the Cottonmouth. Copperhead bites account for the highest percentage of snake bites but thankfully they are the least venomous and are very rarely fatal. Immediate medical attention is always required, as with any venomous snake bite.

Coral Snakes are seldom aggressive, often found living in the ground. Most bites from a Coral Snake come from accidental or improper handling during activities such as gardening. Coral Snake bites account for less then 1% of bites per year in the United States. The habitat of the Coral Snake stretches from southeastern North Carolina to southern Florida, including the Florida Keys. They go as west as southern Texas. Coral Snakes have unique coloring that is sometimes mistaken for the non-venomous Scarlet Snake or Scarlet Kingsnake. The bright colorful rings of a coral snake have red and yellow adjacent bands, while the non-venomous have red and black next to each other. A common phrase used to decipher the differences in these snakes is 'red and black is a friend of Jack, red and yellow can kill a fellow'.

Coral Snakes have smaller fangs then vipers, and due to their non-aggressive nature are often ineffective biters, seldom able to bite through shoes or thick clothing. They are highly venomous, however, and should they break the skin they are capable of killing an adult human. Since the antivenin was created years ago there have been no fatalities in conjunction with Coral Snake bites, however since their bites are so seldom most hospital do not stock the antivenin. It often takes 8-24 hours for the severe reactions to set in and this is why immediate medical attention is necessary in case the treatment needs to be flown in from somewhere.

It's important to know that any venomous snake bite should land you immediately in the emergency room where proper medical treatment can begin. If you can identify the snake that bites you it saves time in trying to figure out which antivenin you will require. Familiarize yourself with the snakes in the area you live in so you can make a proper identification in the event you are bitten.