How to spot dangerous snakes

Which is true:

a. All snakes in Florida are dangerous

b. Snakes are only on sunny rocks.

c. If a snake bites you, you should apply a tourniquet, cut a big X on the bite and suck out the poison before it travels in your body.

d. If you get bit by a coral snake, anti-venom can save your life.

Answer: D

Florida’s dangerous snakes include rattlesnakes, water moccasins, copperheads and coral snakes. Their bites can be life-threatening. Spring (April to June) is reptile-mating season when they are most likely to be out and ornery, but you might encounter them any time.

Copperheads, rattlesnakes, and water moccasins are pit vipers. Pit vipers have triangle shaped heads and a dent or pit halfway between the eye and nostril on both sides of the head. Copperheads have a distinctive skin pattern and, no surprise, their heads are a copper-like color. Copperhead bites are the most common snakebites in the U.S. and are, fortunately, not usually fatal. Rattlesnakes really do rattle; they shake rings at the end of their tails. Water moccasins are also called cottonmouths because their mouths have a white, cotton-like lining. Snakes usually want to avoid you as much as you want to avoid them, but a startled snake is a defensive snake.

Coral snakes have distinctive patterns of red, yellow and black rings. Scarlet snakes have the same colors but in a different pattern. Coral snakes are not pit vipers and do not have the dent or pit. The coral snake venom can be deadly. Symptoms include slurred speech, difficulty talking, difficulty breathing, and overall weakness that can progress to paralysis. Seek immediate treatment with anti-venom at a hospital.

If a snake bites you, try to see what kind it is and get away from it. Don't try to capture the snake. Try to remember its color and shape so that you can describe it. Unless you know it is not a venomous snake, call 911 immediately. Signs of problems include a change in color where you were bit, swelling, and pain. You might have tremors, vomiting, muscle weakness, or a metallic taste in your mouth. Try to stay calm. Lie down with the bite below the level of your heart so that the venom does not travel as quickly. Do not try to cut the bite wound and suck out the venom, apply a tourniquet, or put ice on the wound. Don’t drink coffee, colas, or alcohol; they can cause your body to absorb the venom faster.

Resources: Poison Control Center, poisoncontroltampa.org or 1-800-222-1222.

Dr. Nancy Rudner Lugo, local workplace nurse coach with HealthAction.biz, helps individuals and employees understand their health, make healthy choices and achieve their health goals. Send your questions to [email protected]