Your Guide to Identifying Venomous Snakes, Treating Bites & Protecting Your Property
It’s summer in Central Texas, and while we’re out enjoying barbecues, hiking trails and boating, snakes are out, too. In North America, snakes are most active between April and October due to their reliance on external heat for warmth. Summer falls in the middle of this 7-month period, making it the perfect time to learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones from venomous snakes with our comprehensive guide.
Table of Contents
Common Snakes in Central Texas
The four kinds of venomous snakes found in Texas are rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, copperheads and coral snakes.
Rattlesnakes use their rattles to ward off predators, which means you may hear a rattlesnake before you ever see it. They possess the most potent venom of United States snakes, so steer clear. Texas has 10 species of rattlesnakes, with the Western diamondback rattlesnake being the most common.
Cottonmouths, also known as water moccasins, are semi-aquatic and tend to live near a body of water. These snakes get their name due to the white inside of their mouths, which they display when threatened. The Western cottonmouth is both the one recognized subspecies of cottonmouth in the state of Texas and the world’s only semi-aquatic viper.
Copperheads are known for their copper-colored scales. A copperhead’s venom tends to cause less severe side effects compared to a rattlesnake’s or a cottonmouth’s venom. Commonly found in yards and wooded areas, there are three subspecies of copperheads in the state of Texas: the Southern copperhead, the broad-banded copperhead and the Trans-Pecos copperhead. For our Wacoans, copperheads are commonly found in Cameron Park and the Waco National Mammoth Monument, so watch your step.
Coral snakes have neurotoxic venom, meaning that it affects your nervous system and may cause muscle weakness or paralysis. The Texas coral snake is the only kind of coral snake that lives in the state. It’s the only venomous snake in Texas with brightly colored red, yellow and black bands circling its body.
How to Treat a Snake Bite
Symptoms of a snake bite may include:
- Pain and swelling around the bite area
- An abnormal blood count (of platelets, typically)
- Muscle weakness and/or paralysis if a snake’s venom is neurotoxic
- Trouble breathing and/or lowered blood pressure if you’re allergic to a snake’s venom
According to the Mayo Clinic, CroFab, Poison Control, Coryell Health EMS Director Daniel Lay and Cameron Park Zoo General Curator Gordon Henley, here is what to do and what not to do when treating a snake bite.
“When it comes to snake bites, time is critical. Coryell Health EMS is trained to respond rapidly and provide lifesaving care, but the best outcomes start with community members knowing how to prevent bites and respond appropriately. Don’t try to kill or capture the snake—just move away, stay calm and still, and call 911 immediately.”
– Daniel Lay, Director of EMS, Safety, and Emergency Management at Coryell Health
DO:
- Call 911 and or go to the nearest emergency room immediately, even if you’re unsure if they carry CroFab antivenin (antivenom)
- The hospital can assess the situation and determine the best course of action, including transferring the patient to seek antivenom if necessary. Coryell Health carries CroFab antivenin.
- Remain calm, as an elevated heart rate may speed up the spreading of venom throughout your body
- Remove any jewelry or clothing near the bite area to avoid constricting any swelling
- Gently wash the bite area with soap and water
- Mark the spot of the bite with a pen to monitor the swelling
- Keep the bite at heart level to slow the spread of the venom
“It’s often difficult to predict how serious a snake bite will become, as symptoms can escalate quickly and vary depending on the type of snake and the individual’s reaction. Even bites that seem minor at first can lead to serious, life-threatening complications. That’s why I strongly recommend seeking immediate medical evaluation for any snake bite—prompt care can make a significant difference in outcomes.”
— Dr. Landon Belcher, DO, Coryell Health Emergency Room Physician
DO NOT:
- DO NOT delay treatment to attempt to identify the snake that bit you
If you already have an idea of the kind of snake that bit you, that’s fine, but it’s not essential to know. 98% of venomous snake bites in the United States are from North American pit vipers (rattlesnakes, cottonmouths and copperheads), and CroFab antivenin is specifically designed to target the complete range of toxins found in North American pit viper venoms.
- DO NOT use a snake bite kit for treatment
Suction devices, scalpels and other tools included in a snake bite kit are not only ineffective, but could make the injury worse.
- DO NOT apply a tourniquet
Tourniquets limit the venom to one limb and can lead to hemorrhaging, disfigurement or even amputation without actually stopping the spread of the venom.
- DO NOT cut open the wound and attempt to suck out the venom
“Although this often happens in the movies, it is completely ineffective and dangerous,” says Coryell County Medical Authority Diedra Wuenschel, DO. “Cutting open the wound can increase the risk of infection and cause possible tissue damage. Sucking out the venom also introduces bacteria from your mouth to the wound, and it’s pointless because the venom is already spreading through your bloodstream.”
- DO NOT use an electric shock to treat the wound
Like the idea of sucking venom out of a wound, using electrotherapy to treat a snake bite is junk science. Shocking yourself is dangerous and ineffective against the effects of a snake bite.
- DO NOT ice the affected area
Applying ice to a snake bite has been proven ineffective, and submerging the wound in ice water may cause further tissue damage.
- DO NOT take NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to reduce pain and inflammation
Examples of NSAIDS include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, etc.) and naproxen sodium (Aleve®, etc.). Since NSAIDS and snake venom can both inhibit platelet function, taking NSAIDS to reduce pain and inflammation from a snake bite can increase the risk of bleeding.
How to Avoid Snake Bites
Snakes only bite when they’re surprised by your presence or feel threatened. Stay safe by keeping your distance and don’t get close enough to a snake to try to identify it. If a snake bites you, more harm than good comes out of trying to hunt or kill the snake.
Snakes enjoy hiding in tall grass and brush and underneath fallen tree limbs, leaves and rocks, so watch your step and wear closed-toed shoes that completely cover your feet. They enjoy being out during the coolest times of day, so take extra caution when being outdoors in the early morning and at dusk.
How to Snake Proof Your Yard
1. Eliminate food sources for snakes
Small rodents, lizards and birds are a large part of snakes’ diets, so remove any snake prey by removing what they like to eat. Don’t leave pet food outside, as it can attract rodents, and in turn, snakes. Don’t keep bird feeders in your yard, and clean your yard to remove any trash that could attract snake prey.
2. Remove possible snake shelters
Snakes enjoy hiding in tall grass and weeds, so it’s important to mow your lawn on a regular basis. Ensure all of your trash cans have tight-fitting lids, and get rid of any leaf piles, fallen branches, logs, large rocks and empty flower pots where snakes can live. Finally, seal any openings to your home, garage or shed with caulking or thin metal sheets to prevent snakes from coming inside.
3. Use natural snake repellents
Common natural snake repellents include ammonia, vinegar, citrus and marigolds. Snakes dislike the strong smell of ammonia, so you can soak rags in ammonia and leave them in unsealed plastic bags in the areas where you usually see snakes in your yard.
Vinegar contains acetic acid, which has a pungent odor that also turns snakes off. Snakes generally don’t like citrus smells, so placing orange, lemon and lime peels around your property can be an effective snake deterrent.
You can also plant lemongrass and marigolds in your yard to ward off snakes. Lemongrass contains citronella, a natural snake repellent, and snakes also dislike the pungent smell of marigolds’ roots.
Staying safe starts with awareness. By knowing what to do (and not to do) in the event of a snake bite, staying cautious around known snake hiding spots and learning how to identify Central Texas venomous snakes, you can better protect yourself and your loved ones.
If you or someone you know experiences a snake bite, call 911 and Coryell Health’s EMS team is ready to help you when you need it most.
Resources
