Snakes in North Carolina (Huntersville: 2015, subdivisions, living)

[SunnyKayak]

It's the time of the year when the reptiles are looking for mates, also known as spring awakening. More and more people are coming into contact with snakes.

They can take care of the insects, they can take care of the small mammals, and having the snakes around will reduce the food supply for some of the poisonous snakes.

Of the 37 species of snakes throughout North Carolina, only six are venomous:

1. Copperhead (found throughout NC)
2. Canebrake Rattlesnake (found throughout NC)
3. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (found in southeastern NC)
4. Pigmy Rattlesnake (found in southeastern NC)
5. Cottonmouth or Water Moccasin (found in wetland areas in the eastern half of NC)
6. Coral Snake (the rarest, found in the south and southeastern areas of NC)

More than 80% of snakebites occur when a person is trying to kill or handle a snake. If the snake is encountered outdoors, the best defense is to back slowly away from it.

Some bites, such as those inflicted when snakes are accidentally stepped on or encountered in wilderness settings.
Stay out of tall grass and remain on hiking paths as much as possible.
Keep hands and feet out of areas you can't see. Don't pick up rocks or firewood unless you are out of a snake's striking distance. (A snake can strike half its length.
Be cautious and alert when climbing rocks.

Living with venomous snakes is really no different than living with hornets, or other minor risks of daily life. If one finds a hornet nest, one does not disturb it. The same caution should be applied if one sees a snake.

If snake bitten here is immediate first aid tips.

DO NOT cut the bite. Ths may actually increase the diffusion of the toxins throughout the body.
DO NOT apply a tourniquet. Such action can result in the loss of the limb.
NEVER try to suck out the venom by mouth.
DO NOT apply cold and/or ice packs.

Safely get away from the snake but have the victim to remain still. The less the victim moves the bitten site, the less likely the venom will be spread through the body and cause damage. Have the victim lie down with the affected limb lower than the heart.

Apply a light constricting band about 2" above and below the bite, however never place the bands on either side of a joint (such as above and below the knee or elbow).
This band should be made up of wide, soft material, which could be a handkerchief or shredded clothing. The band should only be as tight as the band the nurse applies when taking a blood test.
NOTE: The purpose of constricting bands is to restrict lymphatic flow, not blood, so they should not be too tight. Check pulses below the bands and readjust the bands as necessary when they tighten due to swelling.

Wash the bite with soap and water (if available).
If the victim has to walk out, sit calmly for 20-30 minutes to let the venom localize at the site, then proceed calmly to the nearest source of help and try to avoid unnecessary exertion which will stimulate circulation of the venom.

Get the victim to definitive medical care for antivenin, which will provide the greatest relief from the toxic effects of the bite.

Enjoy the outdoors of North Carolina but be aware of your surroundings.

[Charlotte485]

Great advice!

[cynwldkat]

Great thread! Please people leave those black snakes alone--they make look scary--and hey most of us are not big on and kind of snakes but those black snakes are all good! They get rid of the poisonous snakes. Our neighbor use to kill them all the time until I explained this to him. Who cares if a big old lazy black snake is hanging around?? I'll take that any day over getting bit by a poisonous snake! Put on your thinking cap and leave those big guys alone!

[sll3454]

Originally Posted by cynwldkat

Great thread! Please people leave those black snakes alone--they make look scary--and hey most of us are not big on and kind of snakes but those black snakes are all good!

Also, young black snakes are not black, and they are sometimes mistaken for copperheads. Here is a good site to help you correctly identify a copperhead: http://www.virginiaherpetologicalsoc...copperhead.htm

[SunnyKayak]

The Copperhead can be found in this part of the state:

Yes that is all counties
It prefers to live in wooded areas, among rocks, or near streams or ponds because prey are more plentiful in such locations. Favorite hiding places include stone walls, sawdust, mulch or compost piles, and and under decaying stumps, in wood piles, under abandoned building debris, and under large flat stones.

Avoid Copperhead snakes! Allow it to go on its way undisturbed

Copperheads prefer to escape but if it cant it will hold its ground. The copperhead's initial threat display is to strike. Do not even get close. A copperhead a non-fatal bite needs medical attention, is extremely painful, and may cause extensive scarring and loss of use. Don't take chances-- avoid these snakes.

The Canebrake snake can be found in this part of the state:

It lives in unpopulated areas, especially rocky hillsides, fields, woodland edges and swamps. It is frequently found hiding in and under stumps and other woody surface cover.

Cottonmouth snakes can be found in this part of the state:

Are often found in or near swamps, ditches, rivers, streams and lakes of eastern North Carolina. It swims with its head held well above the water surface.
Unlike the nonvenomous water snakes with which it is often confused, the cottonmouth's eyes do not protrude above the head, and cannot be seen if looking down at the top of the snake. Many of our nonvenomous snakes are mistaken for Cottonmouths, particularly the brown water snake.

Avoid this snake! It may prefer to flee rather than strike, but its bite is more toxic than a copperhead snake's bite and can be fatal.

[SunnyKayak]

leave and let live. Thank you NC zoo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZukB6z_6IQ


NC Zoo Keepers - Save Our Snakes - YouTube

[SunnyKayak]

North Carolina slivered to the leader in snake bites.

A new report claims someone in North Carolina is 5 times more likely be bitten by a snake than anywhere else in the United States.

National average is 4-5 bites per 100,000
North Carolina average is 19 bites per 100,000

Main reason is venomous Copperheads are in all 100 counties
The Copperhead was responsible for 344 out of the 614 snake bites reported to the Carolinas Poison Center in 2015.

The six out of 37 venomous snakes in North Carolina are the copperhead, cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake, pigmy rattlesnake, eastern diamond rattlesnake and eastern coral snake, according to the NC State Cooperative Extension.

Snake bites can be costly in another way. Each vial of CroFab, the primary antivenin used to treat a venomous snake bite, costs a hospital $2,300 per vial, according to Bloomberg. It’s common for hospital bills to end up in the tens of thousands considering treatments can take multiple vials.

[LLN]

I grew up in the woods, have hunted and fished my whole life, but I saw more copperheads in our development in Huntersville than everywhere else combined. I suspect Meck County is the copperhead capital of the world, and probably universe.

Be careful. Especially walking in subdivisions as the weather cools. Copperheads seem to love, lying in the road, soaking up the heat.