Important Information Concerning the Venomous Snakes of NC
Snakes of NC:
North Carolina is home to 37 different species of snakes in total. Six of which are venomous and effect the human body with different toxins. These include the Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Timber Rattlesnake, Pygmy Rattlesnake, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, and the Eastern Coral snake. These snakes live in all habitats throughout North Carolina with the Copperhead being the most common (Lawrence 1996). The southeast quarter of the state is home to all six of these snakes. Snakes are mostly active from early spring to mid-fall. While incidences of bites rarely leads to fatal wounds, they can be very serious. Children, elderly and pets are most effected by the venom. If you are bitten it is always important to have a medical professional look at the wound. Although these snakes can be potentially dangerous, it is important that you do not kill or pick up snakes. Attempting to pick up or kill a snake can lead to additional bites from the snake, increasing the chance of death or injury.
Snakes Are Our Friends:
The fear of snakes in the United States leads many people to avoid or even kill snakes intentionally. This leads to the loss of a key species in the food web. The food web is an interconnected map detailing every prey and predator interaction in an ecosystem. For many of these maps, the snake sits at the top as an apex predator. An apex predator has no true predator of its own. Apex predators help to control populations from overgrowth. If left without a predator, many prey species can multiply quickly and starve. Rats, mice and lemmings are known for being particularly prone to overpopulation growth. As these populations grow, it increases the amount of disease and genetic deformities. As more of the population booms it becomes impossible to find a suitable habitat with enough resources to support them. If taken too far this can lead to a collapse of that species and lead to what is known as the Trophic Cascade Effect (Scott, 2014). As a population leaves, its predators have lost prey and its prey no longer have that predator to control population. While this can stabilize in some situations, it can lead to the loss of diversity in an ecosystem. The snakes role is to help lessen these populations and prevent a collapse from occurring. In North Carolina we also have the Eastern King Snake (Lampropeltis getula)[21]. The Eastern King Snake's diet consists of other snakes. This includes the venomous snakes that occur in North Carolina (Conant, 1975). Unfortunately like most snakes, they are killed by homeowners when found. The Eastern King Snake is a great example of how snakes can be our friends and a key part of maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
Snake Bite Reports:
North Carolina is home to 37 different species of snakes in total. Six of which are venomous and effect the human body with different toxins. These include the Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Timber Rattlesnake, Pygmy Rattlesnake, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, and the Eastern Coral snake. These snakes live in all habitats throughout North Carolina with the Copperhead being the most common (Lawrence 1996). The southeast quarter of the state is home to all six of these snakes. Snakes are mostly active from early spring to mid-fall. While incidences of bites rarely leads to fatal wounds, they can be very serious. Children, elderly and pets are most effected by the venom. If you are bitten it is always important to have a medical professional look at the wound. Although these snakes can be potentially dangerous, it is important that you do not kill or pick up snakes. Attempting to pick up or kill a snake can lead to additional bites from the snake, increasing the chance of death or injury.
Snakes Are Our Friends:
The fear of snakes in the United States leads many people to avoid or even kill snakes intentionally. This leads to the loss of a key species in the food web. The food web is an interconnected map detailing every prey and predator interaction in an ecosystem. For many of these maps, the snake sits at the top as an apex predator. An apex predator has no true predator of its own. Apex predators help to control populations from overgrowth. If left without a predator, many prey species can multiply quickly and starve. Rats, mice and lemmings are known for being particularly prone to overpopulation growth. As these populations grow, it increases the amount of disease and genetic deformities. As more of the population booms it becomes impossible to find a suitable habitat with enough resources to support them. If taken too far this can lead to a collapse of that species and lead to what is known as the Trophic Cascade Effect (Scott, 2014). As a population leaves, its predators have lost prey and its prey no longer have that predator to control population. While this can stabilize in some situations, it can lead to the loss of diversity in an ecosystem. The snakes role is to help lessen these populations and prevent a collapse from occurring. In North Carolina we also have the Eastern King Snake (Lampropeltis getula)[21]. The Eastern King Snake's diet consists of other snakes. This includes the venomous snakes that occur in North Carolina (Conant, 1975). Unfortunately like most snakes, they are killed by homeowners when found. The Eastern King Snake is a great example of how snakes can be our friends and a key part of maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
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| Eastern King Snake[21] |
Snake Bite Reports:
As you read about the venomous snakes listed here, you will notice that the only venomous snake with a reliable statistical report is the Copperhead. The critical statistical numbers for snake bites and reports are quite lacking. While some hospitals and police stations record and report snake bite incidents, they are not required by law to do so. The only records kept of snake bite incidents are from those people who call into their local poison control and the reported bites from those cooperating hospitals and police stations. Work incidents in North Carolina are also required to be submitted. The Center for Disease Control reports that nationwide, there are approximately 7000-8000 venomous bites each year. Out of the thousands, an average of 5 are fatal.
This means that you are more likely to poison yourself than you are to be envenomed. On average 38,851 people accidentally die of poisoning every year (Kenneth, 2014). While one shouldn't be afraid of these snakes, it is important to remember that they can lead to fatalities and potential loss of skin and digits. The best thing to do is be informed. Identifying snakes and learning to avoid venomous snakes could help lower the number of bites in North Carolina.
Scarlet King Snake and Eastern Coral Snake[21]
If you are bitten, the most important thing is to stay calm. Thinking with a clear head will help you get cleaned up and to a medical professional sooner. The Poison Control Center of North Carolina takes calls concerning bites and can help you reach a medical professional who can help you. If you can not reach the Poison Control Center, Call 911 and find a hospital which can treat you. After calling you need to care for the wound. Cleaning the wound gently with soap and water prevents further infection. Cutting and suction of the wound has been shown to remove very little venom and may aggravate the wound. Using an immobilization bandage has been show to be effective against neurotoxic venom. The bandage must be tight enough to fit only one finger underneath. Two of these bandages placed below and above the wound can slow the spread of venom (Markinson, 2010).
