There are several types of venomous snakes in North America that are not harmful to humans but are toxic to prey like earthworms and slugs. However, we are only highlighting the venomous snakes that are considered toxic to humans.
Myth: All snakes are venomous.
Fact: There are about 43 species of snakes in Alabama and only 6 of them are venomous.
Myth: Venomous snakes cause a large number of casualties each year.
Fact: Fewer than one in 37,500 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the U.S. each year (7 – 8 thousand bites per year), with only 4 to 5 fatalities (and that includes people intentionally handling venomous snakes).
Myth: All venomous snakes are aggressive and willing to bite.
Fact: Most snake bites are accidental – snakes generally don’t intend to bite a human.
Myth: A good snake is a dead snake.
Fact: All snakes are beneficial and play important roles in their ecosystems. Most venomous snakes are apex predators that help keep nuisance species like rodents and rabbits in balance. In addition, snake venom is critical to medical science as many pharmaceuticals are made from the proteins found in snake venom, and help treat cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other diseases.
Myth: If you kill a venomous snake, it makes room in the ecosystem for nonvenomous snakes.
Fact: Venomous snakes play unique and irreplaceable roles in their ecosystems that nonvenomous snakes simply cannot fulfill. One of the primary roles of venomous snakes is controlling the populations of various prey species, including rodents and other small mammals, which can become pests if their numbers are not kept in check. Venomous snakes are particularly effective at this because they can hunt and consume animals that might be too fast, strong, or dangerous for non-venomous snakes to tackle, which includes some of the most costly, virulent, harmful, and lethal pest species that humans deal with.
Question: What percent of bites are dry bites (no venom injected)?
Answer: Venom delivery is voluntary — snakes squeeze their venom glands with muscles to deliver venom. All venomous snakes could deliver dry bites. Estimates show that 20-25% of all pit viper bites and 50% of coral snake bites are dry bites. Occasionally, the venom may be prematurely expelled from the fangs before they puncture the skin, which can also result in a dry bite.
Venomous vs. Poisonous
So what’s the difference between poisonous and venomous? Poisons are either ingested or topically (skin) delivered. Examples of poisonous organisms are poison dart frogs and poison ivy. You have to handle and/or eat these organisms to get sick from their poisons. Venom, on the other hand, is injected. Examples of venomous organisms are bees, spiders, and snakes. There are very few snakes known to be poisonous, such as keelback snakes in Asia and some garter snakes in Oregon that ingest toxic newts as part of their diet.
First aid for a venomous snake bite:
- Keep calm.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible (dial 911 or call local Emergency Medical Services [EMS]).
- Antivenom is the treatment for serious snake envenomation. The sooner antivenom can be started, the sooner irreversible damage from venom can be stopped.
- Driving oneself to the hospital is not advised because people with snakebites can become dizzy or pass out.
- Take a photograph of the snake from a safe distance if possible. Identifying the snake can help with treatment of the snakebite.
- Inform someone who can help: your emergency contact, family, friends, your supervisor, etc.
- Apply first aid while waiting for EMS staff to get you to the hospital.
- Lay or sit down with the bite in a neutral position of comfort.
- Remove rings and watches before swelling starts.
- Wash the bite with soap and water.
- Cover the bite with a clean, dry dressing.
- Mark the leading edge of tenderness/swelling on the skin and write the time alongside it.
Do NOT do any of the following:
- Do not pick up the snake or try to trap it. NEVER handle a venomous snake, not even a dead one or its decapitated head.
- Do not wait for symptoms to appear if bitten, get medical help right away.
- Do not apply a tourniquet.
- Do not slash the wound with a knife or cut it in any way.
- Do not try to suck out the venom.
- Do not apply ice or immerse the wound in water.
- Do not drink alcohol as a painkiller.
- Do not take pain relievers (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen).
- Do not apply electric shock or folk therapies.