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Copperhead Cottonmouth

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Copperhead Cottonmouth 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 * The proper term is “venomous,” but some people say poisonous. say people some but “venomous,” is term proper The of North Carolina North of Snakes Snakes Poisonous The * ® ® cottonmouth snake cottonmouth www.NCPoisonCenter.org • www.herpsofnc.org • www.NCPoisonCenter.org Guide to the Snakes of North Carolina North of Snakes the to Guide . Charlotte, NC. 2004 NC. Charlotte, . A A aiding in the content development of this brochure: Dorcas, Michael E. Michael Dorcas, brochure: this of development content the in aiding removal specialist. specialist. removal Carolinas Poison Center would like to credit the following resource for for resource following the credit to like would Center Poison Carolinas If a snake must be moved, contact a wildlife wildlife a contact moved, be must snake a If Snake pictures and maps courtesy of Davidson College Herpetology Lab Herpetology College Davidson of courtesy maps and pictures Snake because of its bite reflex. bite its of because phone for quick access. quick for phone even a snake’s detached head, can still bite still can head, detached snake’s a even Program the number into your your into number the Program 1-800-222-1222. you’re trying to grab it. A dead snake, or snake, dead A it. grab to trying you’re calling by Center Poison Carolinas reach can You It can bite you while you bite can It it. kill or up it pick to poisoning. poisoning. Don’t try Don’t snake. a see you if slowly away Back 4. advice related to a snake bite or any other other any or bite snake a to related advice even when you know the area well. area the know you when even poison center with questions or for treatment treatment for or questions with center poison Use a flashlight at night when you’re outside, you’re when night at flashlight a Use 3. treat snake-bitten patients. Anyone can call the the call can Anyone patients. snake-bitten treat outside, especially when gardening or hiking. or gardening when especially outside, call the poison center for advice on how to to how on advice for center poison the call Wear sturdy boots or shoes when you’re when shoes or boots sturdy Wear 2. Often, doctors and nurses at healthcare facilities facilities healthcare at nurses and doctors Often, what is on the other side. other the on is what during peak snakebite season. snakebite peak during don’t step over an object without knowing without object an over step don’t – that’s two to three calls a day day a calls three to two that’s – snakes about go. Don’t reach where you can’t see, and see, can’t you where reach Don’t go. over 500 calls each year year each calls 500 over takes Center Poison Watch your step, and watch where your hands your where watch and step, your Watch 1. You might be surprised to know that Carolinas Carolinas that know to surprised be might You bite: bite: uniquely qualified to handle calls about snake bites. bites. snake about calls handle to qualified uniquely Here are some tips to help you avoid a snake snake a avoid you help to tips some are Here center’s nurses, pharmacists and doctors are are doctors and pharmacists nurses, center’s venom from snakes is poisonous, the poison poison the poisonous, is snakes from venom themselves. defending center serving all of North Carolina. Since the the Since Carolina. North of all serving center when humans bite only snakes remember, Carolinas Poison Center is the poison control control poison the is Center Poison Carolinas but startling, be can snake a across Coming How the Poison Center Can Help Can Center Poison the How Bite Snake a Preventing What can happen when someone has First Aid Recommendations been bitten by a snake with venom? You’ve probably heard some advice about what to Snakes with venom will leave one or two puncture do if bitten by a snake. Unfortunately, not all steps wounds when they bite. The place that is bitten may people take to treat a snake bite make the situation or may not ooze blood. better. If you are bitten by a snake with venom, you will If bitten… likely feel pain, bruising, swelling and maybe nausea. DO: The seriousness of a snake bite depends on a few • Sit down and stay calm. things like the type of snake, the amount of venom • Gently wash the area with warm, soapy released and the health of the person bitten. water. eastern diamondback rattlesnake More serious symptoms include: • Remove jewelry or tight clothing anywhere Introduction to the Poisonous Snakes in • weakness near the bite site. North Carolina • increased heart rate • Keep the bitten area still, if possible, and raise it to heart level. • confusion North Carolina is home to 37 different kinds of • Call the Carolinas Poison Center: snakes, but only a few have venom. By nature • trouble breathing 1-800-222-1222. snakes are defensive and don’t want to bite humans, • numbness but some will bite if they feel threatened. Snakes • vomiting in our state are most active from April through • low blood pressure DO NOT: October. DO NOT: If a snakebite victim is having chest pain, difficulty • Cut the bitten area to try to drain the venom. This brochure will tell you more about the five breathing, face swelling or has lost consciousness, This can worsen the injury. poisonous snakes in North Carolina that cause call 9-1-1 immediately. people to call the Carolinas Poison Center for help: • Try to remove the venom by either sucking it out or using a suction device. • copperhead • Ice the area. Icing causes additional tissue • cottonmouth damage. • eastern diamondback rattlesnake • Apply a tourniquet or any tight bandage. • pigmy rattlesnake It’s better for the venom to flow through the • timber rattlesnake body than for it to stay in one area. Copperheads are the most common poisonous • Attempt to catch or kill the snake. snake in North Carolina. Carolinas Poison Center receives 10 times the number of calls about EXAMPLES OF SNAKE BITES The exact snake species is not needed to provide copperhead bites than all other snakes bites treatment. combined. This brochure will not address the coral snake as the Carolinas Poison Center has not had a reported coral snake bite in about two decades. Venomous vs Non-venomous / Poisonous NC Snakes.
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