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phone for quick access during an emergency. emergency. an during access quick for phone

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Program the number into your into number the Program 1-800-222-1222.

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

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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 the make bite snake a treat to take people

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Introduction to the Poisonous Snakes Found in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is home to 44 different kinds of TOBLFT CVUPOMZBGFXIBWFWFOPN#ZOBUVre, snakes are defensive and don’t want to bite , but some will bite if they feel threatened. Snakes in our state are most active from April through October. 8FTUFSO.BTTBTBVHB3BUUMFTOBLF Prairie

Coming across a snake can be startling, but remember, catenatus tergeminus viridis snakes only bite humans when defending themselves.

Here are some tips to help you avoid a snake bite: Dark brown blotches along back, Dark brown blotches along back, belly is white or gray. t8BUDIZPVSTUFQ BOEXBUDIXIFSFZPVSIBOETHP Characteristics three rows of lighter-colored blotches Characteristics Don’t reach where you can’t see, and don’t step along each side. Gray bands circle the end of the over an object without knowing what is on the tail, right in front of the rattle. other side.

t8FBSTUVSEZCPPUTPSTIPFTXIFOZPVSFPVUTJEF Typical adult length 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 feet Typical adult length 2 1/2 to 4 feet especially when gardening or hiking.

Grasslands, prairies, rocky hillsides, t6TFBnBTIMJHIUBUOJHIUXIFOZPVSFPVUTJEF FWFO Habitat Habitat Grasslands, rocky outcrops when you know the area well. swampy marshlands

t#BDLBXBZTMPXMZJGZPVTFFBTOBLF%POUUSZUP pick it up or kill it. It can bite you while you’re trying Camou ging, vibrating the tail, CamounBging, vibrating the tail, nB Defenses Defenses to grab it. A dead snake, or even a snake’s detached . biting. This snake is fairly aggressive IFBE DBOTUJMMCJUFCFDBVTFPGJUTCJUFSFnFY and will defend itself if threatened.

t*GBTOBLFNVTUCFNPWFE DPOUBDUBXJMEMJGF removal specialist. 8FTUFSO.BTTBTBVHBSBUUMFTOBLF Prairie rattlesnake bites are usually bites are usually more severe than more severe than bites from #Jte severity #Jte severity How the Poison Center Can Help bites from copperheads and are a copperheads and are a medical medical emergency. emergency. Since the venom from snakes is poisonous, the poison center’s pharmacists and nurses are uniquely qualified to handle calls about snake bites.

Often, doctors and nurses at health care facilities call the poison center for advice on how to treat snakebite victims. Anyone can call the poison center with questions or for treatment advice related to a snake bite or any other . * n where snake is found n where snake is found 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 Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Information doesn’t recommend getting within five feet of any snake. Copperhead Cottonmouth

Copperhead Black Snake contortrix Agkistrodon piscivorous

Dark brown, hourglass-shaped Dark bands on dark or olive , 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 to 3 feet Typical adult length 3 feet Snakes with Venom Snakes without Venom

(venomous) (non-venomous) Prefers fresh water but also can 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 “-like” Round pupils releasing musk, biting pupils Copperhead bites can be severe but generally not as bad as other Long fangs that can be Cottonmouth bites have about No fangs; small teeth Bite severity Oklahoma snakes. About half folded at the roof of the Bite severity the same level of severity as instead of all copperhead bites result in mouth copperhead bites. only mild swelling and pain.

Pits that sense heat No pits located below the eyes

May have a rattle No rattle n where snake is found n where snake is found

WesternEastern DiamondbackDiamond-backed Rattlesnake Rattlesnake (also known as a Velvet Tail) Western Pygmy Rattlesnake

Crotalus atrox Crotalus horridus

Dark diamond pattern outlined Rattle, varies in color, dark bands on Dark spotted pattern on gray, Characteristics in white on gray skin, Characteristics Characteristics “raccoon-striped” tail, rattle a lighter skin pinkish or red skin, rattle

Typical adult length 3 to 6 feet Typical adult length 4 feet Typical adult length 1 to 2 feet

Dry areas, including mountains, Mixed pine-hardwood forests, Habitat Habitat Wooded areas Habitat prairies, rocky canyons borders of cypress ponds, near lakes and marshes

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 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.

where snake is found where snake is found n where snake is found For more information about snake For additional information on , identification, visit OKSnakes.org visit our website at OklahomaPoison.org