First snake of the year (King: house, neighborhood, living)

[Rich6896]

A neighborhood kid came out of the woods with a couple of puncture wounds from an unseen snake. I was thinking we'd have to April before I'd have to start watching for them.

[ljd1010]

wwwhat kkkind of ssssnakes ????????????????????

[Rich6896]

I can only assume it was a black snake or copperhead.

[PDXmom]

Originally Posted by Rich6896

I can only assume it was a black snake or copperhead.

Is the neighbor kid ok???

[RuralCoastalGuy]

It has been unseasonably warm and since the snakes don't have access to the weather reports they think it is spring already. Hope the kid is ok and I hope the OP took him to the nearest hospital for a quick check.

[hymnsinger]

Puncture wounds from a black snake are unlikely. They do not have fangs, just tiny little razor sharp teeth. Only pit vipers (rattlers & copperheads) have fangs in this part of the world.

If he has puncture wounds from a snakebite, he is likely a very sick little boy tonight. If you see him tomorrow and he is fine, then it wasn't a snakebite.

I know, I've been bitten many times!

BTW, only 2 people have died from snakebite in NC since 1970. Copperheads are the least toxic of all venomous snakes in America.

Here's some more info:

Snake facts
-- North Carolina has six venomous snake species and 31 nonvenomous species.
-- 7,000 venomous snakebites are reported annually in the United States.
-- 15 fatalities result, placing the chance of survival at roughly 499 out of 500.
-- Approximately 3,000 snakebites are “illegitimate,” meaning these bites occurred while the victim was handling or bothering the snake.
-- 85 percent of natural bites are below the knee.
-- 50 percent are dry, or no venom is injected.

[Stavs]

How does one protect their "living area" from snakes? Is this something exterminators can spray the yard for?

[Rich6896]

Truthfully I don't know how he's doing, I just saw some kids retrieving his bike from the woods. He's off with his parent at the hospital I assume.

[mommiewrites]

Originally Posted by Stavs

How does one protect their "living area" from snakes? Is this something exterminators can spray the yard for?

nothing you can do to totally keep them away, but they dislike marigolds, so I keep them planted around the house and where the kids play. I know there are other plants, but thats the one I know of off the top of my head.

Many a snake have met an untimely death courtesy of shovel/rake/hoe...whatever sharp edged long handled tool is nearby!

[hymnsinger]

Originally Posted by mommiewrites

nothing you can do to totally keep them away, but they dislike marigolds, so I keep them planted around the house and where the kids play. I know there are other plants, but thats the one I know of off the top of my head.

Many a snake have met an untimely death courtesy of shovel/rake/hoe...whatever sharp edged long handled tool is nearby!

Be aware that many snakes in North Carolina are protected by law, including the endangered Coral Snake and the Diamondback Rattlesnake. Snakes that are considered under special concern are the Timber Rattlesnake, the Pygmy Rattlesnake, the Southern Hognose Snake, The Pine Snake, the Carolina Water Snake, and the Outerbanks King Snake. The fine for killing one of these can be quite steep.

Snakes are essential to our native ecosystems and killing them indiscriminately does irreparable harm. Without snakes, we would be overrun by rodents and other reptiles such as frogs. Only snakes keep these and other animals from overpopulating our state.

Irrational fear, and fear of what we do not understand, may lead to the permanent loss of these unique animals, to the detriment of all. Yes, snakes bite, but so do dogs, cats, raccoons, hamsters, and even rabbits . . . I know . . . My rabbit nipped me today! Will you kill each of these animals on sight as well? But, they're not poisonous you say? My first husband died of a staph infection caused by a cat bite. There is nothing more dangerous than a cat bite. Did I shoot the cat? Do I shoot all cats now? Please.

If you see a snake, leave it alone. I guarantee it wants to be as far from you, as you want to be from it! Teach your children to leave them alone unless an adult is with them. You have nothing to fear but fear itself. Let snakes do what God put them here to do, balance our ecosystem.