How can I tell which snakes have venom and which don’t? Some of a snake’s natural features can help determine if it has venom or not. However, it’s safest to consider ALL snakes as potentially dangerous. The Carolinas Poison Center doesn’t recommend getting within five feet of any snake. For more information about snake identification, visit Copperhead Cottonmouth www.herpsofnc.org. timber rattlesnake brown snake Agkistrodon contortrix Agkistrodon piscivorus

dark brown, hour-glass shaped dark bands on dark or olive skin, pattern white inside of mouth Characteristics Characteristics Young copperheads have yellow Young cottonmouths are lighter and or green tails. look similar to copperheads.

Typical adult length 2-3 feet Typical adult length 3 feet Snakes with Venom Snakes without Venom

(venomous) (non-venomous) prefers freshwater but can also be Habitat everywhere Habitat found on land

diamond or triangle smooth head that is shaped head shaped like the body camouflaging, fleeing, opening the camouflaging, vibrating the tail, Defenses mouth widely, flattening the body releasing musk, biting Defenses to appear bigger, vibrating the tail, elliptical or “cat-like” round pupils releasing musk, biting pupils Copperhead bites can be severe but generally not as bad as other Cottonmouth bites have about long fangs that can be Bite severity North Carolina snakes. About half no fangs; small teeth Bite severity the same level of severity as folded at the roof of the of all copperhead bites result in instead copperhead bites. mouth only mild swelling and pain.

pits that sense heat no pits located below the eyes

may have a rattle n where snake is found n where snake is found

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Timber Rattlesnake also known as a Canebrake Pigmy Rattlesnake

Crotalus adamanteus Crotalus horridus Sistrurus miliarius

rattle, varies in color, dark bands on a lighter skin dark diamond pattern outlined Coastal varieties have a brown or dark spotted pattern on gray, Characteristics in black on gray or yellowish skin, Characteristics Characteristics orange “racing stripe” down the pinkish or red skin, rattle rattle middle of the back.

Typical adult length 4-5 feet Typical adult length 4 feet Typical adult length 1-2 feet

Habitat sandy, coastal areas Habitat forests Habitat forests

camouflaging, rattling their tail camouflaging, fleeing, rattling their camouflaging, rattling their tail Defenses Defenses Defenses (sometimes), which sounds like a tail (sometimes) (sometimes) buzz

Bites from rattlesnakes are usually Bites from timber rattlesnakes are Bites from rattlesnakes are usually more severe than bites from usually more severe than bites from more severe than bites from Bite severity Bite severity Bite severity copperheads and are a medical copperheads and are a medical copperheads and are a medical emergency. emergency. emergency.

n where snake is found n where snake is found n where snake is found

Venomous vs Non-venomous / Poisonous NC Snakes NC Poisonous / Non-venomous vs Venomous

coral snake bite in about two decades. two about in bite snake coral

the Carolinas Poison Center has not had a reported reported a had not has Center Poison Carolinas the

This brochure will not address the coral snake as as snake coral the address not will brochure This

combined.

copperhead bites than all other snakes bites bites snakes other all than bites copperhead

treatment.

receives 10 times the number of calls about about calls of number the times 10 receives EXAMPLES OF SNAKE BITES SNAKE OF EXAMPLES

The exact snake species is not needed to provide provide to needed not is species snake exact The

snake in North Carolina. Carolinas Poison Center Center Poison Carolinas Carolina. North in snake

Copperheads are the most common poisonous poisonous common most the are Copperheads

Attempt to catch or kill the snake. the kill or catch to Attempt •

body than for it to stay in one area. one in stay to it for than body timber rattlesnake timber •

It’s better for the venom to flow through the through flow to venom the for better It’s

pigmy rattlesnake pigmy •

Apply a tourniquet or any tight bandage. tight any or tourniquet a Apply •

eastern diamondback rattlesnake diamondback eastern •

damage.

cottonmouth •

Ice the area. Icing causes additional tissue additional causes Icing area. the Ice •

copperhead •

out or using a suction device. suction a using or out

people to call the Carolinas Poison Center for help: help: for Center Poison Carolinas the call to people

Try to remove the venom by either sucking it sucking either by venom the remove to Try • y. immediatel 9-1-1 call

poisonous snakes in North Carolina that cause cause that Carolina North in snakes poisonous

breathing, face swelling or has lost consciousness, consciousness, lost has or swelling face breathing, This can worsen the injury. the worsen can This

This brochure will tell you more about the five five the about more you tell will brochure This

If a snakebite victim is having chest pain, difficulty difficulty pain, chest having is victim snakebite a If Cut the bitten area to try to drain the venom. the drain to try to area bitten the Cut •

October.

DO NOT: DO

low blood pressure blood low • DO NOT: NOT: DO

in our state are most active from April through through April from active most are state our in

vomiting •

but some will bite if they feel threatened. Snakes Snakes threatened. feel they if bite will some but

numbness • snakes are defensive and don’t want to bite humans, humans, bite to want don’t and defensive are snakes

1-800-222-1222.

snakes, but only a few have venom. By nature nature By venom. have few a only but snakes,

trouble breathing trouble •

Call the Carolinas Poison Center: Poison Carolinas the Call •

North Carolina is home to 37 different kinds of of kinds different 37 to home is Carolina North

confusion •

raise it to heart level. heart to it raise

North Carolina North

increased heart rate heart increased • Keep the bitten area still, if possible, and possible, if still, area bitten the Keep •

Introduction to the Poisonous Snakes in in Snakes Poisonous the to Introduction weakness •

near the bite site. bite the near

Remove jewelry or tight clothing anywhere clothing tight or jewelry Remove • More serious symptoms include: symptoms serious More

eastern diamondback rattlesnake diamondback eastern

water. released and the health of the person bitten. person the of health the and released

Gently wash the area with warm, soapy warm, with area the wash Gently • things like the type of snake, the amount of venom venom of amount the snake, of type the like things

The seriousness of a snake bite depends on a few few a on depends bite snake a of seriousness The

Sit down and stay calm. stay and down Sit •

DO: DO: nausea. nausea.

DO:

likely feel pain, bruising, swelling and maybe maybe and swelling bruising, pain, feel likely

If you are bitten by a snake with venom, you will will you venom, with snake a by bitten are you If If bitten… bitten… If

or may not ooze blood. ooze not may or better.

wounds when they bite. The place that is bitten may may bitten is that place The bite. they when wounds people take to treat a snake bite make the situation situation the make bite snake a treat to take people

Snakes with venom will leave one or two puncture puncture two or one leave will venom with Snakes do if bitten by a snake. Unfortunately, not all steps steps all not Unfortunately, snake. a by bitten if do

You’ve probably heard some advice about what to to what about advice some heard probably You’ve

been bitten by a snake with venom? with snake a by bitten been

First Aid Recommendations Aid First has someone when happen can What

Preventing a Snake Bite How the Poison Center Can Help Coming across a snake can be startling, but Carolinas Poison Center is the poison control remember, snakes only bite humans when center serving all of North Carolina. Since the defending themselves. venom from snakes is poisonous, the poison Here are some tips to help you avoid a snake center’s nurses, pharmacists and doctors are bite: uniquely qualified to handle calls about snake bites. 1. Watch your step, and watch where your hands You might be surprised to know that Carolinas go. Don’t reach where you can’t see, and Poison Center takes over 500 calls each year don’t step over an object without knowing about snakes – that’s two to three calls a day what is on the other side. during peak snakebite season. 2. Wear sturdy boots or shoes when you’re Often, doctors and nurses at healthcare facilities outside, especially when gardening or hiking. call the poison center for advice on how to treat snake-bitten patients. Anyone can call the 3. Use a flashlight at night when you’re outside, poison center with questions or for treatment even when you know the area well. advice related to a snake bite or any other 4. Back away slowly if you see a snake. Don’t try poisoning. to pick it up or kill it. It can bite you while You can reach Carolinas Poison Center by calling you’re trying to grab it. A dead snake, or 1-800-222-1222. Program the number into your even a snake’s detached head, can still bite phone for quick access. because of its bite reflex. Snake pictures and maps courtesy of Davidson College Herpetology Lab If a snake must be moved, contact a wildlife removal specialist. Carolinas Poison Center would like to credit the following resource for aiding in the content development of this brochure: Dorcas, Michael E. A Guide to the Snakes of North Carolina. Charlotte, NC. 2004 www.NCPoisonCenter.org • www.herpsofnc.org

cottonmouth snake

®

The Poisonous* Snakes of North Carolina

* The proper term is “venomous,” but some people say poisonous.