Poisonous Snakes

By: Bryan CheungT.317 Life Scout22 Sept 2008

Types of Poisonous Snakes

6 Types of poisonous snakes in Florida

Eastern Diamondback RattlesnakeCanebrake (Timber) RattlesnakePygmy RattlesnakeCottonmouth (Water Moccasin)CopperheadCoral Snake

From 2 families: Viperidae (vipers/pit vipers)Elapidae (cobras)

Viper/Pit Viper Family

5 Types in Florida:Eastern Diamondback RattlesnakeCanebrake (Timber) RattlesnakePygmy RattlesnakeCottonmouth (Water Moccasin)Copperhead

Characteristics:Elliptical PupilsPits between eyes and nostrilsArrow-shaped headsUse hemotoxic venom which destroys red blood cells

and walls of blood vessels.

Cobra Family1 Type in Florida

Coral Snake

CharacteristicsRound pupilsRound shaped headsUse neurotoxic venom that attacks the

nervous system of the prey through paralysis of the heart and lung muscles.

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

How to identify:Yellow-bordered

Diamond-shaped markingsRattle at end of tailArrow shaped head

much wider than neck areaFrequently seen in

palmetto flatlands, pine woods, abandoned fields, and brushy/grassy areas

Canebrake RattlesnakeHow to Identify:

Grayish-brown colorDark chevron-shaped bands or blotches across

its bodyOrange or rusty-red stripe down the middle of its

back from head to tailBrown or black tail with a rattle on the end

Pygmy Rattlesnake

How to identify:Small rattle that sounds

like buzzing sound and can only be heard from a few feet awayGray colorAbout 3 rows of dark,

round spots around its backA single orange or

reddish stripe down the back in between the spotsYoung Pygmy rattler tails

may be yellow at the tip

Cottonmouth (water moccasin)

How to identify:Darkish brown to black in

colorMay have black bands

across bodyWhen provoked, it will lay

its head back and open its mouth to show the white lining of the mouth (which is why it is called cottonmouth)

CopperheadHow to identify:

Tan to pinkish in colorReddish Brown hourglass-

shaped bands across the bodyCopper colored head

Which is venomous?

Coral Snake

(Venomous)

Scarlet King snake

(Nonvenomous)

Easy way to remember: “Red touch yellow, deadly fellow; Red touch black, friendly Jack”

Or, black nose=venomous

Coral SnakeHow to Identify:

Very colorful stripe patternBlack noseMost are less than 30

in. in lengthRound pupils like most

non-venomous snakes

First AidNon-Poisonous Snakebites

Clean wound with soap and water and apply antisepticWrap it with a clean bandage

Poisonous SnakebitesGet victim to medical attention ASAPRemove rings/jewelry around the bite areaLet the victim lay down and place the injured area lower

than the rest of the bodyTreat for shock (keep them calm, keep airway open,

raise legs, etc)If available within 3 minutes of the bite, use a venom

extractor.Do NOT:

Make cuts on the woundApply iceTry to suck out the venom with your mouthGo after the snake to kill itLet the victim make many movements

More InfoFlorida Venomous Snakes (with pictures)

<http://www.247wildlife.com/venomousnakes.htm>Guide to Florida Snake

<http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/FL-GUIDE/onlineguide.htm>

First Aid for Snakebites<http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000031.htm>