Background Information
- About 45,000 people are bitten by snakes every year in the United States.
- Of those, 7,000 involve poisonous snakes and of those treated, only about 15 die.
- More than half of the poisonous snakebites involve children and most occur between April and October.
- Of the poisonous bites in the United States, 55% are from rattlesnakes, 34% from copperheads, 10% from water moccasins and 1% from coral snakes.
- Rattlesnake bites account for 70% of the fatalities and between 95 and 98% of the bites occur on extremities.
- Each year the Samaritan Regional Poison Center has more than 65 calls about rattlesnake bites.
Rattlesnakes
- There are 11 species of rattlesnakes identified in Arizona.
- A pit viper snakes has a heat sensing “pit” located between the nostril and eye on each side that is used to locate and trail prey.
- Rattlesnakes can grow up to six feet in length.
- Baby rattlesnakes are capable of a venomous bite from birth.
- Non-poisonous snakebites are not considered serious and are generally treated as minor wounds; only poisonous snakebites are considered medical emergencies.
About Symptoms
- Generally occur immediately, but only about 1/3 of all bites manifest symptoms.
- When no symptoms occur, probably no venom was injected into the victim.
- In 50 percent of coral snake bites, no venom is injected because the coral snake has to chew the skin for envenomation to occur.
- In as many as 25% of all venomous pit viper bites, no venom is injected, possibly because the fangs may be injured, the venom sacs may be empty at the time of the bite or the snake may not use the fangs when it strikes.
- Poisonous snakebite venom contains some of the most complex toxins known; venoms can affect the central nervous system, brain, heart, kidneys and blood.
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Signs of Poisonous Bite
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The bite consists of one or two distinct puncture wounds.
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Non-poisonous snakes usually leave a series of small, shallow puncture wounds because they have teeth instead of fangs.
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The exception is the coral snake, which leaves a semicircular marking from its teeth.
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Because some poisonous snakes also have teeth, fang and teeth marks may be apparent.
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The presence of teeth marks does not rule out a poisonous bite, but the presence of fang marks always confirms a poisonous snakebite.
Characteristics of pit viper snakes:
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Large fangs; non-poisonous snakes have small teeth.
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The two fangs of a poisonous snake are hollow and work like a hypodermic needle.
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Pupils resemble vertical slits.
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Presence of a pit. Pit vipers have a telltale pit between the eye and the mouth. The pit, a heat-sensing organ, makes it possible for the snake to accurately strike a warm-blooded victim, even if the snake cannot see the victim.
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A triangular or arrowhead shaped head/
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The rattlesnake often shakes its rattles as a warning. BUT NOT ALWAYS!
Coral Snake
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The coral snake is highly poisonous.
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Resembles a number of non-poisonous snakes.
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It does not have fangs and has round pupils.
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Because its mouth is so small and its teeth are short, most coral snakes inflict bites on the toes and fingers.
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They have to chew the skin awhile to inject venom.
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Coral snakes are small and ringed with red, yellow and black.
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The chances for recovery of a snakebite are great if the patient receives care within two hours of the bite.
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