“It seems quite the trick to tell the friendly snakes from the other ones.” “Ah,” Oak says. ‘They’re all friendly snakes until they bite you.” ~ The Prisoner’s Throne
Poor Holly. She’s in the same boat as most people I know, casting aspersions on creatures who can’t change their appearance except in fairy tales. Further, they are doomed to slither silently through the grass or water as they search for sustenance. True, they aren’t as cute as bunnies, but neither are they as scary as you might think. Nothing is as frightening as what your imagination hands you.
Before I begin, I want to thank my friend, Walt Peterson, who is affectionately known as a snake wrangler. He provided significant content for this post and, yes, he was mentioned in a March post about honey bees. He’s a good guy to know.
A few facts about snakes
I’ll begin with my personal opinion which may also be a fact: most of the population is afraid of snakes. Perhaps they sometimes startle us with their unexpected appearance. However, even if we’re surprised by a mouse running across our feet, we wouldn’t be afraid. Many of us simply don’t know enough about snakes to understand that they would much prefer never to see us, either. They would rather just keep their distance. We also don’t know much about snakes’ sizable environmental impact; if we did, it might change our perspective.
You might be surprised to learn the number of venomous snakes that populate the areas surrounding your home. I know I was. In East Tennessee, there are only two* venomous snakes. One is the Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)** and the other is the Timber Rattler (Crotalus Horridus). That’s it, and the Timber Rattler is relatively shy. It avoids densely populated areas, so you may never see one. Ever.
Copperheads, on the other hand, are acclimated to the presence of humans. They’re not afraid of what you build and where you drive, so you have a better chance of seeing them up close and personal. That’s one reason they’re responsible for the most snake bites, over 2900 nationwide, but another factor is that the Eastern Copperhead can be found in more than half the states in the U.S. Nonetheless, the chance of a fatal bite is less than .01%, according to the JAMA Network. You’re more likely to have a heart attack than a snake bite. Much more likely.
All that said, there isn’t a snake in the U.S. that’s looking for you. You’re big from their vantage point and they become defensive when they feel threatened. Unfortunately, you don’t see the fear; you see their reaction. That doesn’t make you receptive to their presence, and in that way your response could be similar to seeing another human you’d rather avoid.
However, these reptiles absolutely provide benefits to humanity. Take a look at the exhibit below. Like it or don’t, we need snakes.
*Tennessee has two other venomous snakes that don’t hang out in East Tennessee. One is the cottonmouth and the other is the Pygmy Rattler. ** Some snakes have multiple common names. To avoid confusion, herpetologists use the scientific name.
Let’s Talk Science tells us that the venom normally used to subdue prey is extracted and processed to produce medicine (antivenoms) to treat:
- Cancer
- Pain
- High blood pressure
- Strokes
- Heart attack
- Alzheimer’s
- Parkinson’s
The U.S. Army (among other sources) tells us that snakes:
- Are themselves prey for other creatures – birds, mammals, and other reptiles.
- Are about the only species keeping the rodent population in check. This improves humans’ living conditions and health. Rats carry diseases. Think black plague.
- Hang out where their lunch is. Remove the buffet and they’ll move along.
And some about snake bites
Even from a venomous snake, you have a 3 out of 4 chance that a snake bite will contain venom. If it doesn’t, you’ve suffered a dry bite. And maybe a panic attack. If your wound does need immediate attention,* here’s the plan:
- Stay calm.
- Remove jewelry or restrictive clothing.
- Mark the site with a pen; circle it and note time of bite.
- Elevate the affected limb to heart level, if possible, to reduce the spread the venom.
- Go to the nearest hospital.
- Muster resources. One is the National Snakebite Support FB page. This page is administered by a toxicologist and herpetologist named Dr. Spencer Greene.
*Check out the Tennessee Snake Identification Facebook page to learn more about determining (by sight) whether a snake is venomous. Walt invited me to join that page in the hope that it would desensitize me, and it has helped. If you want to learn more about snake ID in your state, search FB for localized groups. To learn which snakes exist in your state, you can check the Crofab site.
Take a look below at common myths (and facts) below and remember, "It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so." ~ Mark Twain
Myths
Facts
- The shape of a snake’s pupil will indicate if it is venomous. Nope. The amount of light changes the pupils, in either case.
- Snakes will chase you. Not likely. They are looking for an escape route if you startle them. You may both, however, be running in the same direction.
- Some snakes are poisonous. Only one is, and it abides in Japan. You can ingest poison, but venom is injected into you.
- Venomous snakes only swim on the water’s surface. All snakes can swim on the surface and in the water.
- You should be very afraid. No. You’re twice as susceptible to bee, wasp or scorpion bites, per the USDA. Humans are much more of a threat to your well-being.
- Rattlesnakes always announce themselves. Not if they don’t feel your vibration. Reptiles Magazine tells us that rattles evolved as a protection from being trampled by bison; you don’t weigh that much.
- Some snakes are venomous. That is, its bite contains toxins that can be intense enough to kill a human. Most have enough toxins to paralyze their next meal. That’s all.
- In Tennessee and many other states it is illegal to kill a snake unless it presents an immediate danger. An example is the endangerment of small children or livestock.
- Also illegal: moving snakes long distances. If they are diseased, you are simply expanding the problem. Also, the new environment may not provide a sustainable life.
- Of 7,000 to 8,000 venomous snakebites annually (U.S.), 5-6 of the wounded die. Incidents usually involve alcohol and someone trying to kill a snake.
- Victims are usually male and usually between 18 and 50. Surprised?
- Snakes smell through their forked tongues & organs in the roofs of their mouths.
Before I slither away
Note that even though this post is longer than average, it’s still a minuscule amount of detail – no descriptions and no snake photos (to avoid startling anyone). I even used the Snake River Dam as a featured image on the off-chance that a more appropriate photo might repel readers. You’re welcome.
Hey, I get it. Snakes are like insurance issues. They pop up unexpectedly every now and then, but no one seems to want to know much about them. Still, it’s in your best interest to be educated about your environment, especially since it can directly impact your longevity. Is it pleasant to face a fear? No. but in the short time I’ve been working on overcoming this aversion, it’s been worth the effort. Perhaps others would like to join me.
You?
Bought 4 acres of wooded Texas Hill country 22 years ago and have not seen one venomous snake, though some might have seen me. Have seen a few garter snakes and rat snakes. You are right, I am at greater risk of heart attack.
I’ll bet they ‘have’ seen you and that’s why you haven’t seen ‘them’. Thanks for the confirmation that I’m spreading truth. 😉
Well said!!
Thank you, major contributor. 😂
Check this out…..
https://www.facebook.com/100000268551985/posts/pfbid0rWAwnzrqLHd28dso9uMdab2W7ePtZ915ocfEeY3es9dP7QfrhmiH8UXYB7QkxvaXl/
I hadn’t seen that, but I’m glad that we agree on salient points!