The Venomous Snakes of Oklahoma - most snakes by state

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• (1) States with no venomous snakes
• (2) Snake population by state
• (3) States with most snake bites
• (4) State with most rattlesnakes

8hat can happen when someone has First Aid Recommendations
been bitten by a venomous snake?
You've probably heard some advice about what to
Snakes with venom will leave one or two puncture EPJGCJUUFOCZBTOBLF6OGPSUVOBUFMy, 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 DO:
nausea.
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.
More serious symptoms include: Remove jewelry or tight clothing anywhere t
t 8FBLOFTT near the bite site.
t Increased heart rate Keep the bitten area still, if possible, and
t Confusion
raise it to heart level.
t Trouble breathing Call the Oklahoma Center for Poison and
Drug Information:
t Numbness
t Vomiting 1-800-222-1222
t Low blood pressure
DO NOT:
You can reach the poison center by calling
1-800-222-1222. Program the number into your Cut the bitten area to try to drain the venom.
phone for quick access during an emergency. This can worsen the injury.
Try to remove the venom by either sucking it
out or using a suction device.
Ice the area. Icing causes additional tissue
damage.
Apply a tourniquet or any tight bandage.
It'TCFUUFSGPSUIFWFOPNUPnPXUIrough the
body than for it to stay in one area. The Venomous Snakes
Attempt to catch or kill the snake. of Oklahoma
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If a snakebite victim is having chest pain, difficulty
breathing, face swelling or has lost consciousness, t
call 911 immediately!
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Our thanks to the staff of the Carolinas Poison Center, who graciously
provided assistance with some of the content and layout of this brochure.
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.
t6TFBnBTIMJHIUBUOJHIUXIFOZPVSFPVUTJEF FWFO Habitat Grasslands, prairies, rocky hillsides,
when you know the area well. swampy marshlands Habitat Grasslands, rocky outcrops
t#BDLBXBZTMPXMZJGZPVTFFBTOBLF%POUUSZUP
pick it up or kill it. It can bite you while you're trying CamounBging, vibrating the tail,
to grab it. A dead snake, or even a snake's detached Defenses CamounBging, vibrating the tail,
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biting. Defenses biting. This snake is fairly aggressive
and will defend itself if threatened.
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removal specialist.
8FTUFSO.BTTBTBVHBSBUUMFTOBLF Prairie rattlesnake bites are usually
How the Poison Center Can Help #Jte severity bites are usually more severe than more severe than bites from
bites from copperheads and are a #Jte severity 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
Defenses Camouflaging, vibrating the tail, Camouflaging, fleeing, opening the
releasing musk, biting Defenses mouth widely, flattening the body
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 No fangs; small teeth Bite severity Oklahoma snakes. About half Cottonmouth bites have about
folded at the roof of the instead of all copperhead bites result in Bite severity the same level of severity as
mouth only mild swelling and pain. copperhead bites.
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
WEaesstteerrnnDDiiaammoonnddb-baacckkReadttRleastntlaeksenake 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
Habitat Dry areas, including mountains, Mixed pine-hardwood forests,
prairies, rocky canyons Habitat Wooded areas Habitat borders of cypress ponds, near lakes
and marshes
Defenses Camouflaging, fleeing, rattling their Camouflaging, rattling their tail Camouflaging, rattling their tail
tail (sometimes) Defenses (sometimes) Defenses (sometimes), which sounds like a
buzz
Bites from rattlesnakes are usually Bites from timber rattlesnakes are Bites from rattlesnakes are usually
Bite severity more severe than bites from usually more severe than bites from more severe than bites from
copperheads and are a medical Bite severity copperheads and are a medical Bite severity 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


What state has the most rattlesnakes?AlaskaHawaiiMaineRhode Island

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