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Venomous Snakes in Virginia

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Venomous Snakes in Virginia Virginia’s poisonous snakes all have and antivenom if needed. If possible, wash swamps, marshes, and deep holes in venom that destroys blood cells, blood ves- the bite with soap and water and immobi- the ground. Most bites happen between sels, and other tissues. If you are bitten by lize the bitten body part. Swelling is likely, April and October, when snakes are ac- one of Virginia’s poisonous snakes, you may so remove constrictive items like jewelry tive. When outdoors, watch where you experience some of these symptoms: or tight clothing near the bite. There are put your hands and feet, or where you sit many myths and folk remedies for treating down. Wear long pants and shoes. • Intense pain spreading out from the snake bites. Experts warn not to cut the Never directly handle a snake, even if bite wound, to use any form of suction to re- you think it is dead. Recently killed snakes move the venom, apply a tourniquet or ice, may still “bite” by reflex. If you encounter • Puncture wounds from fangs or use an ice bath. These “remedies” often a snake, just go around it. • Progressive swelling and bruising do more harm than good. Contact the Blue Snakes can be found around your (may become severe) Ridge Poison Control Center at 1-800-222- home or garden, seeking food. If you can PHOTOGRAPHS BY JACK LOONEY • Sweating 1222 with questions. eliminate the food source, the snakes If someone has been bitten, DO NOT will go elsewhere. To eliminate attraction • Weakness try to catch or kill the snake! This often for mice and cover for snakes, remove • Nausea and vomiting results in another snakebite victim. Iden- all rock and brush piles and keep grassy here are over 120 species of and woodlots. Timber rattlesnakes are com- about poisonous snakebites in our region. tifying the snake is helpful but not neces- areas mowed short near the house. Seal all • A drop in blood pressure snakes in the US. Most snakes monly found in the mountainous regions of Nationwide, experts estimate there are sary for proper treatment. Trying to hunt areas around pipes, vents, or other places are harmless and, much like western Virginia and a small area of extreme about 3,000 venomous snakebites annually, • Muscle twitching down the snake only puts you at risk and that may provide small openings both for bats, provide a valuable ser- southeastern Virginia where they are known although most believe that many more cas- • Metallic taste in the mouth wastes valuable time getting the victim to rodents and snakes. Check the roof for vice around your home in the as canebrake rattlesnakes (experts disagree es go unreported. Death from a venomous a health care facility. overhanging vegetation. Snakes are good Tway of pest control (snakes control rodents, whether the canebrake is a separate species snakebite in the US is very rare, occurring Snakes do not want to bite you—they climbers and can also enter through the attic bats control insects). In fact, the presence or a sub-species of the timber rattlesnake). in only a few cases each year. Stay calm! About 20% of the time, a would prefer to be left alone, or to get where trees or shrubs provide access. of snakes around your property or in your They are a state endangered species. Water Most venomous snakes have elliptical snake does not inject any venom into its away from harm. However, they will bite Enjoying the summer months in Virginia house may indicate a rodent problem. moccasins, also frequently referred to as pupils (like a cat’s eyes in bright light) bite victim. Seek immediate medical care to defend themselves if they feel threat- can include trips outdoors, hiking, camp- There are only three species of venom- cottonmouths, are found to the south and instead of round ones, and a triangular, even if there are no symptoms, because oc- ened. Often, this can happen acciden- ing, and enjoying the scenery. If you live ous (able to inject venom through hollow, east of Petersburg and are common only in spade-shaped head instead of narrow, casionally symptoms can be delayed by sev- tally, when you do not see the snake and in or plan to travel to the parts of Virginia needle-like teeth) snakes in Virginia. The wet areas. oval-shaped heads. This head shape can eral hours. Even non-poisonous snake bites therefore get too close. where snakes are more common, including copperhead (found statewide) is the most The Blue Ridge Poison Center at the be tricky to distinguish, especially in baby can be harmful. The most important goal Be alert in places where snakes may these three venomous snakes native to our common; and while it is usually not found University of Virginia School of Medicine snakes. When in doubt, assume the snake is to get the victim to a health care facility, live, expecially when hiking in tall grass region, please respect all Virginia wildlife inside homes, it may be common in gardens receives an average of 80 calls each year is poisonous. where they can have access to medical care or brush, rocky areas, fallen logs, bluffs, while exploring their habitats. cottonmouth (juvenile) Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus timber rattlesnake Crotalus horridus 78 ALBEMARLE ALBEMARLE 79 Northern Copperhead VENOMOUS Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen Common Name: Northern Copperhead Scientific Name:Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen Genus: Agkistrodon is derived from the Greek word ancistron which means “fish- hook.” This is in reference to recurved fangs. Species: Contortrix is from the Latin word contortus which means “twisted” or “intri- cate” in reference to the dorsal pattern. Vernacular Names: Dumb rattlesnake, red adder, red eye, red snake, white oak snake, deaf snake, beech-leaf snake, chuck head, copper adder, copper-bell, deaf adder, hazel head, popular leaf snake, thunder snake, harlequin snake. Average Length: 24–36 in. (61–90 cm) Record length: 53 in. (134.6 cm); Virginia Record Length: 48 in. (121.9 cm) Physical Description: The length of this piles of rubbish, in stone walls and species is 24–36 inches and the color is cracks in foundations. In autumn, after coppery-red on the head with an hour- birth of the young, at least 5 individu- glass pattern. There are dark rounded als may be found per acre of favorable spots at the sides of belly and the scales habitat. Studies have shown that six are weakly keeled. The dorsum of the or seven adult copperheads per acre body and tail are pinkish tan to dark can be found when conditions are brown and almost black, with hourglass optimal. They may wander into brush, shaped crossbands colored chestnut grassland or weedy fields. The alert to dark brown. Most dorsal scales are pose is a coiled body, with the head at sprinkled with black flecks. The head is a 45 degree angle. The snake vibrates triangular and the labial region of chin its tail when disturbed and generally and the venter are cream colored. The remains alert and motionless to hide neck is narrow and the dorsum of the itself. It is usually docile when caught head is flat. Adult males are generally but will strike if aggravated and gives larger than females. Juveniles have the off a pungent odor when very warm. same color patterns as the adults, except Males sometimes engage in combat the tip of the tail is a sulfur yellow and before the mating period. During mat- lack the black flecking of the adults. ing, one observation found them to There are some regional differences coil around each other, looking at each in body color and pattern throughout other and occasionally unwrapping one Virginia. The copperhead will often coil length and then recoiling with the hibernate in the company of other heads always about 4 inches apart. snakes. The longevity record for this species is 9 years, 5 months. Foods: The prey eaten depends on the size of the snake, with juveniles taking Behavior: This species is normally slug- more invertebrates and adults eating gish, and they rely on camouflage to more small mammals such as rodents. escape detection. They are gregari- Mice are the primary prey, but they also ous and largely nocturnal. They may take lizards, small snakes, amphibians, vibrate the tail rapidly when alarmed. small birds, and insects. The summer cover is under logs, rocks, Range in Virginia: This snake is found statewide, with the excep- tion of the barrier islands. It occurs at elevations below 910 meters in a wide variety of terrestrial habi- tats, including wetlands, forests, Counties in Virginia where fields, and edge areas of all types. the northern copperhead are The copperhead is found in open most likely found areas with higher rock densities, and uses all types of structures for cover, including abandoned build- ings, brush piles, and stone walls. 80 ALBEMARLE ALBEMARLE 81 Timber Rattlesnake VENOMOUS Crotalus horridus Common Name: Timber Rattlesnake Scientific Name:Crotalus horridus Genus: Crotalus is derived from the Latin word crotalum which means “rattle.” Species: horrid is Latin for “dreadful.” Vernacular Names: American viper, bastard rattlesnake, black rattlesnake, common rattlesnake, eastern rattlesnake, great yellow rattlesnake, mountain rattlesnake, northern banded rattlesnake, northern rattlesnake, pit viper, rock rattlesnake, velvet tail, yellow rattlesnake. Average Length: 30–60 in. (90–152 cm) Record length: 74.5 in. (189.2 cm); Virginia Record Length: 67.1 in. (170.5 cm) PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Rattlesnakes the mating season. Timber rattlesnakes have the following characteristics that overwinter and typically breed in com- distinguish them from similar looking munal dens. The three basic types of non-venomous snakes: 1) short tail and dens include: fissures in a ledge, bare rattle, 2) single row of transverse scales rock talus or scree, and talus or scree on underside of tail, 3) stout body girth, partially covered with soil.
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