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WILDLIFE :: VENOMOUS TEXAS SNAKES
Snake Bite Statistics
- About 7,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the U.S.
annually.
- Only 0.2% (1 out of 500) venomous snake bites result in
death
- On average, 1 to 2 people in Texas die each year from
venomous snake bites in Texas.
- Roughly half of all venomous snake bites are "dry." That is,
the snake does not inject venom into the victim.
Statistics from
National Ag
Safety Database
 Venomous
Snakes in Texas
There are two types of venomous snakes found in Texas. First, pit
vipers are the most common type of venomous snakes in Texas and
include the copperhead, cottonmouth and rattlesnake. Pit vipers get
their name from the infrared radiation receptors located in a "pit"
on each side of the snake's face. Additionally, pit viper pupils are
vertically elliptical and they have a single row of scales located
on the underside of their tail.
The second type of venomous snake found in Texas is the coral snake.
Coral snakes are members of a group of snakes called Elapids that
are characterized by having a short, permanently erect fang located
along each side of the upper-jaw. However, the coral snake does not
have to "chew" its victim to inflict a painfully venomous bite. The
Texas Coral Snake is the only member of the Elapids that is found in
Texas and can easily be identified by the red, yellow and black
color bands along the snake's body. The Texas Coral Snake is the
only snake in Texas with touching red and yellow bands.
Symptoms of Envenomization by Snakes
There are many biological and environmental factors that
determine the quantity and toxicity of an individuals snake's venom.
People also react differently (immunologically) to snake venom. It
is difficult to identify a set of standard symptoms for snake bite
victims because of these variations. Listed below are some symptoms
that many victims of snake bites share, but remember that not every
victim will have all of these symptoms.
Common Symptoms of Snake Bite
- blurred vision
- convulsions
-
 dizziness
- excessive sweating
- fainting
- fang marks
- fever
- increased salivation
- localized pain and burning
- muscle contractions
- muscle incoordination
- nausea and vomiting
- numbness and tingling
- rapid pulse rate
- skin discoloration
- swelling in the bite area
- thirst
- tissue death
- weakness
First Aid for Snake Bite Victims
If someone has been bitten by a venomous snake, it is important
to seek medical attention promptly. Call 9-1-1 or the Texas Poison
Center Network at 1-800-POISON-1 (1-800-764-7661) for information
about which medical centers in your area have the appropriate
antivenom. If possible call ahead to the medical center so the
antivenom can be ready when the victim arrives.
It is also important to identify the kind of snake that bit the
victim. Even taking a dead snake with you to the medical center is
appropriate if it can be done without further risk or injury.
Extreme caution should be used when bringing in a snake because even
though the snake may be dead, its reflexes may still allow the snake
to bite.
What to do for snake bite victims.
- Move the victim safely away from the snake. If you see the
snake, try to remember what it looks like or take a digital
picture of it if you can do so without putting yourself at risk.
This will aid the doctor in determining which antivenin is
needed.
- Do not attempt to capture the snake; however if the snake is
dead, place it in a suitable container and bring it with you to
the hospital for identification. Be careful to avoid contact
with the dead snake′s head however, as it may be able to bite
reflexively for a short time after death.
- Keep the victim, and yourself, calm.
- Remove jewelry or constricting clothing from the victim
quickly, before any swelling begins.
- Lift the bitten limb so that it is level with the heart.
Raising it above heart level could hasten distribution of the
venom to other parts of the body. Holding the limb below heart
level could lead to increased swelling of the affected limb.
- Limit movement of the bitten limb and avoid any unnecessary
exertion by bringing transport to the victim, if possible.
- Gently wash the bite wound with soap and water, if
available.
- Call 911 if available and seek medical attention
immediately. If you are transporting the victim to a hospital,
call ahead so that the medical staff can prepare the antivenin
for administration upon arrival.
What NOT to do for Snake Bite Victims
- Do not attempt to suck venom from the bite wound.
- Do not make cuts over the snake bite. This often leads to
more tissue trauma and damage.
- Do not apply a tourniquet or other constricting device.
- Do not apply a cold pack or ice to the snake bite.
- Do not apply an electrical shock to the snake bite.
- Do not take pain reliever or other medications unless
instructed to do so by a physician.
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages.
- Do not administer antivenom in the field. Treatment for
snake bites is best conducted in an appropriate medical
facility.
Snake Bite Prevention
- Although most snakes in Texas are not venomous, avoid
handling or playing with snakes unless you have been properly
trained.
- Keep landscape or campsite well manicured.
- Wear long pants and boots when in areas known to have
snakes.
- Watch where you step and place your hands when outdoors. Do
not place them in areas where snakes may be resting unless you
can see it is safe.
More Information
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/junior_naturalists/moresnakes.phtml
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/southerncopperhead/
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nasd/docs/as31600.html
http://www.kingsnake.com/venom/
Texas Department of State Health Services - Infectious Disease
Control Unit
1100 West 49th Street, Suite G301, Mail Code: 1943 - Austin, TX
78756-3199
512-458-7455 - Fax: 512-458-7601
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