Snakes in TN (Chattanooga: subdivision, yard, deal)

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by bbkaren

Nope, that would be a "pinkie" but not the finger type...it's a newborn baby mouse.

Youre correct. Its a frozen/thawed pinkie mouse.

[Watertown Gal]

I hate snakes and have only seen a few out here. The harmless ones will be left alone, but God help the poisonous ones!

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by Robbied

I thought I was leaving the land of snakes here in Fl. What types are in Tn ?

Growing up in Northeast TN in Hawkins County, my parents built a new house in 1978 and it had somewhat of a wetland area in the extreme far front yard. Also, the house was built on old apple orchard land with the barn and silo and other buildings--such as a chicken coop--still in existence.
Anyway, that subdivision and property had the most snake sightings in and around it you could imagine! One summer we had a large, 4 or 5 ft long black snake climbing up our sliding glass door trying to get inside the house! I would constantly (not kidding) have to watch my step while playing outside in the summertime. We would find several snakes a week in the yard. I almost drove over a baby copperhead on my bike once.
I probably saw at least 10 different types of snakes in that subdivision. It created great memories, but it was unsettling at the same time.
TN has overall very warm to hot summers, a short 2 or 3 month winter in most of the state, and a very welcoming climate overall for snakes.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Watertown Gal

I hate snakes and have only seen a few out here. The harmless ones will be left alone, but God help the poisonous ones!

There are no poisonous snakes in Tennessee. Or the entire world for that matter...

[2mares]

venomous! right snake master?

[hiknapster]

I don't think I've read the question or answer to this...

What do you do if you think you have been bitten by a venomous snake?

[jabogitlu]

I don't know the official answer, but I'd cut it open and suck as much out as possible, then high tail it to the hospital. Try to get a good look at what the snake looked like, so you can tell them.

Coincidentally, I ran over a rattler yesterday. Yellow as could be, which I think means it was female. (Right, steve-o? )

[bbkaren]

I always thought if possible, the advice would be to tourniquet the area.

(and I thought the cutting and sucking out the venom was a joke I remember from middle school... )

Since the venom is (i think) only a tiny amount it would seem that cutting open would allow it to perhaps absorb into tissues more quickly due to greater surface area...

I don't know the official word but I do recall part of it being cutting off the blood flow, and to keep your heart rate down to avoid quick spreading of whatever is freely circulating in the bloodstream...

It may be outdated advice, though.

[yarddawg]

I've never been bitten, but I did have to sit through a short talk at work once on what to do if I was. Field scientist, spend a lot of time in the sticks. It was given by an EMT so I'm hoping he knew his stuff. We were told not to cut or tourniquet, just to get medical help as fast as possible and try to stay calm. And if possible bring the snake, or what's left of it, with you. He said that you were likely to do more damage slicing open the bite or cutting off your circulation than would have been caused by the snake venom.

[kamoshika]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

What do you do if you think you have been bitten by a venomous snake?

From the federal government's MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia:

First Aid

1. Keep the person calm, reassuring them that bites can be effectively treated in an emergency room. Restrict movement, and keep the affected area below heart level to reduce the flow of venom.

2. If you have a pump suction device (such as that made by Sawyer), follow the manufacturer's directions.

3. Remove any rings or constricting items because the affected area may swell. Create a loose splint to help restrict movement of the area.

4. If the area of the bite begins to swell and change color, the snake was probably poisonous.

5. Monitor the person's vital signs -- temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, and blood pressure -- if possible. If there are signs of shock (such as paleness), lay the person flat, raise the feet about a foot, and cover the person with a blanket.

6. Get medical help right away.

7. Bring in the dead snake only if this can be done safely. Do not waste time hunting for the snake, and do not risk another bite if it is not easy to kill the snake. Be careful of the head when transporting it -- a snake can actually bite for up to an hour after it's dead (from a reflex).

DO NOT

* DO NOT allow the person to become over-exerted. If necessary, carry the person to safety.
* DO NOT apply a tourniquet.
* DO NOT apply cold compresses to a snake bite.
* DO NOT cut into a snake bite with a knife or razor.
* DO NOT try to suck out the venom by mouth.
* DO NOT give the person stimulants or pain medications unless a doctor tells you to do so.
* DO NOT give the person anything by mouth.
* DO NOT raise the site of the bite above the level of the person's heart.

MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Snake bites