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Florida's Poisonous Snakes

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Tribune Staff Report

Published: September 22, 2007

PIT VIPERS:

Description - Rattlesnakes, cottonmouth (moccasins) and copperheads have large triangular heads, fangs, a pit that senses body hear below the eyes that have elliptical pupils.

Point of Injection - Puncture wounds, 25 percent of bites are dry bites, where no venom is injected. If venom is pumped into the body, the results are pain, blisters, bruising, progressive swelling and oozing of blood.

Possible symptoms – Victims suffer from tremors, vomiting, tingling, a metallic taste in the mouth and weakness.

Recommended treatment - Remove jewelry and tight clothes near the bite. Keep the wounded limb below heart level and cleanse. Don't apply tourniquets or ice (these worsen damage) and don't cut and suck out venom. Immediately get to a hospital.

CORAL SNAKES:

Description - Like non-poisonous snakes, coral snakes have a small head and small teeth. It is identified it by the red, black and yellow colors along with a black nose. (Red touches yellow, kill a fellow. Red touches to black, venom lack.).

Point of Injection - Scratch marks, little or no swelling.

Possible symptoms - (Often delayed up to 12 hours) Victims suffer from vomiting, eyelid droop, dizziness, difficulty swallowing, slurred speech, difficulty breathing and weakness leading to paralysis.

Recommended treatment - Keep the bitten extremity below heart level and use no ice or tourniquets. Do not incise the bite and cleanse with soap and water. All coral snake bite victims must go to the hospital for evaluation and antivenin

Source: Florida Poison Information Center

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