Whether you have to work outside or you simply enjoy being outdoors for recreation purposes, it is important to be aware of your surroundings at all times. One reason is to avoid being bitten by one of Mississippi’s six venomous snakes. There are things you can do to keep yourself safe and things you can do if you are surprised by one of these awesome creatures.
When outdoors, always try to walk in clear areas, paying close attention to where you are stepping. Snakes like to hide in stump holes, in brush piles, under debris, and around fallen logs. When possible, wear leather boots at least 10 inches in height. When in a boat, pay close attention to overhanging limbs since snakes have a habit of sunning on branches. If you should encounter a snake, take a couple steps backwards and then go out of your way to avoid the snake.
In the unlikely event of a snake bite, the most important thing is to stay calm. Any increase in heart rate will only increase the rate that venom is distributed throughout the body. Immobilize the bitten limb (as in a fracture), treat the victim for shock, and get to the nearest hospital or medical doctor as soon as possible. Never cut and suck, apply ice or cold packs, or use a tourniquet.
A high percentage of venomous bites occur on the extremities, most often the hands, fingers, and arms. The next most frequently bitten areas are ankles, top of feet, and legs.
Pit vipers’ venom is a complex mix of lethal proteins and enzymes which target specific parts of the circulatory and nervous systems. At the onset of a strike, the venom begins to destroy blood cells, lymphatic vessels, capillaries, and muscle tissue. Burning pain, swelling, and skin discoloration are the most common early symptoms. Other symptoms may include weakness, nausea and vomiting, sweating, chills, muscular twitching, and difficulty in breathing. The bite of a coral snake may produce similar symptoms, but immediate swelling and discoloration are rarely evident, and the pain is mild and short in duration.
A non-venomous bite displays no symptoms. The bite may bleed freely and there may be bruising of the immediate tissue around the puncture, but essentially no swelling will occur and the severe pain that accompanies a venomous bite will be absent. No treatment beyond cleaning the bite site is generally required, however if you were unable to identify the snake, leave these decisions up to a physician.
Snakes are an important ecological component and serve as natural pest controllers, consuming large numbers of rodents. Although snakes are NOT mean and aggressive, they are accomplished predators with excellent tools for catching and killing prey. For this reason, snakes should be viewed from a distance and never approached. Never try to kill a snake unless it is threatening your life or the life of another person.
James L. Cummins is executive director of Wildlife Mississippi, a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plant resources throughout Mississippi. Their web site is www.wildlifemiss.org.
