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Snake Safety in Texas

Snakes in Texas
Snakes are abundant in Texas, and caution is advised. Snakes live in leaf-covered
areas, they blend in so well they are hard to see. Most snakes are not
Aggressive in nature, but they will bite if they are provoked (stepped
on or kicked). Snakes live near water, they can be found in lakes,
ponds, ditches, streams, marshes and swamps-anywhere there is
standing water. Unlike most snakes cottonmouths are aggressive,
and will attack unprovoked. When people think about snakes in Texas,
Texas Rattlesnake
they think about rattlesnakes. Rattlesnakes are easily recognized by
(How to Identify a
the distinctive rattling sound they make they are not aggressive but
Venoumous Snake)
will bite if provoked, they tend to be most active at night.

Avoiding Snake Bites

The best way to protect against snakebites an eye open, wear knee-high
boots and snake guards. 99% of snake bites occur below the knee and a
snakes fangs cannot penetrate a strong boot or
snake guards.
Snake-Safe Boots
(Snake Protective Clothing)

In areas around snakes be careful when

moving dead logs or pieces of wood always
wear heavy leather gloves and always look
before reaching or sitting.

Snake-Safe Gloves
(Livetrap.com)

Venomous Snakes and Non-Venomous Snakes

Frequently, people mistake a snake as venomous when in fact, it is just the opposite;
however, every snake bite should be treated equally as severe. When calling 9-1-1 and

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addressing the snake bite, it can be important to identify the snake correctly in order to
ensure the proper treatment is administered to the victim.

There are numerous methods to identifying a snake as venomous or nonvenomous:

Most venomous snakes tend to have a triangularshaped head.

o The coral snake is one of the most venomous
snakes; however, it has a rounded head like
that of a non-venomous snake. (Some nonvenomous snakes may even flatten their head
Identification Chart
into a triangular shape to give the impression of (How toSnake
Identify a Venomous Snake)
being venomous.)
Some venomous snakes have bright colors as a sign of warning to others.
o Some colorful snakes are non-venomous and vice versa.
A snake with more vertical, linear pupils is more likely to be venomous than a snake
with rounded pupils.
o Some snakes, such as the Black Mamba, are extremely venomous, but have
rounded eyes like most non-venomous snakes.
A pit between the nostrils and eyes is also a
sign that the snake is venomous.
At the end of a tail, a rattle can also be a sign
of a venomous snake.
If a snake is swimming and its whole body is
visible, its most likely venomous.
If the snake is longer visible, two puncture
Snake Pupil Identification Chart
marks on the victim is a sign that the snake
(Hermance)
had fangs and that it is venomous since nonvenomous snakes lack fangs. (How to Differentiate)

While some of these tips for identifying snakes do have exceptions, the best way to stay
safe is to assume every snake is venomous. These tips are most important when reporting a
snake bite to emergency care officials so that the proper care is administered.

Treating Snake Bites

First of all call 911, remain calm, keep the person still to avoid spreading the venom, and
elevate the head. Do not cut the bite and suck the venom unless instructed to do so by a

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medical professional, such action would only be necessary if there will be extended travel
time to the emergency room. Remove all jewelry before swelling occurs. Restricting the
blood flow to an extremity in most cases will do more harm than good. If applied
incorrectly, a tourniquet can cost someone a limb.

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Works Cited
Alison Hermance. Web. 26 Sept. 2014. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alison-hermance/>.
"How to Differentiate Between Poisonous Snakes and Non Poisonous Snakes." WikiHow. Web.
26 Sept. 2014. <http://www.wikihow.com/Differentiate-Between-Poisonous-Snakesand-Non-Poisonous-Snakes>.
How to Identify a Venomous Snake From a Non-Venomous Snake. Web. 26 Sept. 2014.
<http://nwtactical.wordpress.com/2013/05/25/how-to-identify-a-venomous-snakefrom-a-non-venomous-snake/>.
Livetrap.com. Web. 26 Sept. 2014. <http://www.livetrap.com/images/detailed/2/beast22.jpg>.
Snake Protective Clothing. Web. 26 Sept. 2014.
<http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&docid=i
6bn1aQJd16JM&tbnid=GroSTHYmRb46bM:&ved=0CAUQjhw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsnakeprot
ectiveclothing.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F09%2Fsnakeboots.html&ei=qZ4lVKnlFcnf8gGFooCYAw&bvm=bv.76247554,d.b2U&psig=AFQj
CNE1CsiiedljB8NaM9dSSBacOalqlQ&ust=1411837989192343>.