New Mexico Poison & Drug Information Center 1. Preventing a Snake Bite 3. Caring for a Poisonous Snake Bite Always carry your cell phone in case of an • Do not tease or try to capture or handle a • Remain calm and put a safe distance venomous snake. Snakes will not usually between you and the snake. emergency. Program it bother humans unless they feel threatened. with the Poison Help Hotline: 1-800-222-1222. • Walk in cleared areas where it is easy to see • Call 911 for transport to a medical facility. where you step or reach with your hands. Antivenom is the only defi nitive treatment. New Mexico’s • Wear protective clothing, such as long More information about pants and boots. Some snakes, such as the • While awaiting transport: ratt lesnake, can sense the heat of bare skin. • Call the New Mexico Poison Center at ratt lesnakes can be found 1-800-222-1222 for guidance. on the New Mexico Poison • Wear gloves when using hands to move • Remove jewelry or other items that restrict Center’s website at: rocks or brush. Snakes seek shade during swelling from the bite area. hsc.unm.edu/pharmacy/poison. intense summer heat. • Keep the bite area loosely splinted, • Never put your hands or feet into places immobilized and level with your heart. where you cannot see. POISON Venomous Snakes • Patch holes in your home that are more than • DO NOT a ¼ inch wide. Be careful when working in a • put ice on the bite Facts, Prevention, and First Aid Advice crawl space. • try to suck out the venom • apply heat or electric shock • use a tourniquet or any other local He p 2. Symptoms of a Poisonous Snake Bite treatments. 1-800-222-1222 • Visible fang mark(s). There may be only one. These techniques do not help and may cause more tissue damage. POISON • Burning, pain, swelling and bruising at the site of the bite. There may also be bleeding The printing for this brochure and/or discharge from the wound. is supported by the Health Call the New Mexico Poison Center Resources and Services • Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, at 1-800-222-1222 for additional fi rst Administration, grant number He p diarrhea, and sweating. aid advice. H4B HS15529. 1-800-222-1222 venomous snakes venomous facts snakes vs.non-venomous venomous Learning about both harmless and dangerous snakes is important to a peaceful existence Venomous snakes produce venom, a special kind of saliva that is toxic sons are spring, summer, and between people and these reptiles. The following table points out some diff erences between to humans and can lead to death if left untreated. The main purpose of all in New Mexico. All venomous and non-venomous snakes. akes are predators, animals venom is to kill and digest prey. However, a snake will use its venom as a weapon to defend itself against larger animals. at kill and eat other animals. physical features native species Although many of us fear snakes, they are helpful to Ratt lesnakes non-venomous rounded heads gopher snake both humans and the rounded pupils garter snakes (7 species) ecosystem because they eat Ratt lesnakes are the most common venomous snake in the southwest. Many diff erent types of sharp teeth but no fangs hognose snake disease-carrying rodents and western coach whip snake keep diff erent species in ratt lesnakes live in New Mexico, including: prairie, western rattlesnake (venomous) alance. diamondback, black-tailed, rock, ridgenose, massasauga and Mojave. desert king snake water snake Ratt lesnakes belong to the pit viper family. Pit vipers, or crotalidae, corn snake have heat-sensing pits that are located below their nostrils. These e many people’s fear of *New Mexico milk snake snakes, history shows us that a strong organs allow pit vipers to sense the body heat of other animals. relationship has existed between venomous triangle-shaped heads rattlesnakes: prairie, western humans and these cold-blooded The ratt les located at the end of their tails make ratt lesnakes diff erent elliptical (cat-like) pupils diamondback, black-tailed, rock, creatures. For example, ancient from all other snakes. Be aware that ratt lesnakes do not always warn upper jaws with fangs ridgenose, massasauga and mojave cultures used many symbols to their victims or “ratt le” before they strike, and the ratt le butt on on very young ratt lesnakes does not sound. In New Mexico, about 75 to 100 represent snakes. Designs on pott ery, coral snake (venomous) *coral snake textiles and documents show us that people are bitt en by ratt lesnakes every year. snakes were an important part of *Coral snake vs. New Mexico Milk Snake religion. In fact, the Snake Clan of the Coral Snakes Coral snakes (venomous) are often confused with New Mexico milk snakes (non- Hopi still celebrates snakes and their venomous) because they have similar banding patt erns. Coral snakes have a yellow connection to humans in a traditional Coral snakes can be found in the southwest corner of the state; band whereas New Mexico milk snakes do not. In North America, the easiest way to dance. however the New Mexico Poison Center rarely receives calls about coral snake bites. Although coral snakes are identify coral snakes is to remember this rhyme: “Red touches yellow will kill a fellow usually too small to bite humans, please be aware that their (coral snake). Red touches black, venom lack (New Mexico milk snake).” However, if it venom is highly toxic. milk snake (non-venomous) slithers on the ground, it is best if you leave it alone!.