Venomous Snakes

1. Venomous Snakes As weather warms & we extend our recreational pursuits‘ out-of-doors we must be aware of other creatures that may inhabit the areas we may travel. ORM is the best way to mitigate the risk of crossing paths with the locals. Be aware of your surrounding & the animals that share them. There are 3 species of venomous snakes in VA. Timber (canebrake) rattler Copper head Cotton mouth Virginia Herpetological Society

2. Timber Rattlesnake also called Canebrake • This is sometimes called the "velvet-tail" or "banded" rattler. • This snake is venomous and grows to lengths of 36-60 in. • There are two major color patterns: (1) the yellow phase, there are black or dark brown cross bands on a ground color of yellow, brown, or gray; the cross bands, which may be V-shaped, break up interiorly to form a row of darker spots down the back, plus a row along each side of the body. (2) the black phase, in which the head is black and there are black blotches and chevrons on a ground color of dark brown to nearly black.

3. Timber Rattlesnake also called Canebrake • It inhabits upland hardwood & mixed pine-hardwood forests, in areas where there are sunny, rocky slopes & ledges. • This snake needs places to hibernate that allow it to stay below the frost line, such as large cracks in rocky outcroppings. • Canebrake while being one of the most venomous snakes on the east coast is one of the most relaxed it’s first line of defense is retreat but if threatened or harassed may strike without first using it’s rattle as a warning.

4. If bitten take action immediately • First Aid • 1) Get medical help immediately. Call 911. Keep the person calm. • 2) Mark the place of the bite, and write the time of the bite on the person with a Sharpie. • 3) Restrict movement, create a loose splint to help restrict movement of the area. • 4) Keep the affected area below heart level to reduce the flow of venom. • 5) Remove any rings or constricting items because the affected area may swell. • 6) Monitor the person's vital signs -- temperature, pulse, rate of breathing and for signs of shock (such as paleness), lay the person flat, raise the feet about a foot, and cover the person with a blanket. • 7) If swelling occurs, mark the extent of the swelling with a marker, and write the time. • 8) Apply a bandage, wrapped two to four inches above the bite, to help slow the venom. This should not cut off the flow of blood from a vein or artery - the band should be loose enough to slip a finger under it. Once a pressure bandage has been applied, it should not be removed until the patient has reached a medical professional. Virginia Herpetological Society

5. Cotton mouth or Water Moccasin • This is a large, venomous, semi-aquatic snake. • When it opens its mouth, the distinctive white interior is displayed. • It grows to average lengths of 30-48 in. and may reach 74 in. • The back is olive, brown or black with black crossbands that extend onto the belly. • The belly is cream with patches or streaks of black. Older adults may be uniformly dark. • The head is triangular and flattened on top. Juveniles have the same patterns as adults but are brighter, have more distinct crossbands, body color may be more pinkish, and the tip of the tail is yellow.

6. Cotton mouth or Water Moccasin • If approached, it will stand its ground, or crawl away very slowly. When standing its ground, this species will coil, slowly vibrate its tail, and open its mouth wide to show the white inside. • Males are known to perform a combat dance. will not hesitate to strike if molested. • It emits a musk from a gland at the base of the tail when captured. • When the cottonmouth swims it’s entire body is on the surface of the water.

7. Cotton mouth or Water Moccasin • None have been found north or west of Colonial Heights. Most known populations occur south of the James River. This is a semi aquatic snake found in lowland habitats, including swamps, freshwater and brackish marshes, ponds, ditches, streams, rivers, and forested and grassland areas next to wet areas. It is often found in cultivated fields adjacent to swamp or sluggish streams. Virginia Herpetological Society

8. Copperhead • Copperheads bite more people in most years than any other U.S. species, but they also have the mildest venom. • Copperheads are pit vipers, poisonous snakes that are named for the two heat sensing pits used to locate prey that are positioned between the eyes and the nostrils. • The copperhead's initial threat display is to strike. It lashes out at an enemy as a warning, not an attempt to kill, the snake injects little venom. • "Copperhead bites are typically not fatal,“

9. Copperhead • Their venom is hemolytic; it destroys the red corpuscles of the blood & releases the hemoglobin into the surrounding fluid. The resultant hemorrhaging destroys the snake's normal prey, mostly small mammals

10. How to keep your home safe • To lessen the risk of injury from these snakes, clean up around the yard, remove any trash. • Be very careful when lifting old logs or other trash that no snakes are lurking beneath them, a good pair of thick gloves, boots & thick jeans are a good precaution also. • Keep borders of yard cut & grass low. Drain off standing water. • Check wood/rock piles & underbrush periodically for evidence of snakes, such as shed skin.

11. Questions? • The Naval Safety can help contact us: www.safetycenter@navy.mil Up-dated 09 Aug 09