provided assistance with some of the content and layout of this brochure. this of layout and content the of some with assistance provided
Our thanks to the staff of the Carolinas Poison Center, who graciously who Center, Poison Carolinas the of staff the to thanks Our
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phone for quick access during an emergency. emergency. an during access quick for phone
This can worsen the injury. the worsen can This
Program the number into your into number the Program 1-800-222-1222.
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More serious symptoms include: symptoms serious More Remove jewelry or tight clothing anywhere clothing tight or jewelry Remove
released and the health of the person bitten. person the of health the and released water.
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Sit down and stay calm. stay and down Sit
nausea. nausea.
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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 humans, but some will bite if they feel threatened. Snakes in our state are most active from April through October. 8FTUFSO.BTTBTBVHB3BUUMFTOBLF Prairie Rattlesnake
Coming across a snake can be startling, but remember, Sistrurus catenatus tergeminus Crotalus 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. 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 poisoning. * 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 Rat Snake Agkistrodon contortrix Agkistrodon piscivorous
Dark brown, hourglass-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 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 “cat-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 Timber Rattlesnake (also known as a Velvet Tail) Western Pygmy Rattlesnake
Crotalus atrox Crotalus horridus Sistrurus miliarius
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 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.
where snake is found where snake is found n where snake is found For more information about snake For additional information on poisons, identification, visit OKSnakes.org visit our website at OklahomaPoison.org