Wilderness: Snakebite

Black Widow vs. Brown Recluse Slideshow

• Snakebite Overview
• Snakebite Symptoms
• Snakebite Treatment
• When to Seek Medical Care
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Multimedia
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors

Snakebite Overview

Snakebites usually occur because of accidental or deliberate contact. However, not all snakebites result in poisonings. Contact with larger snakes tends to cause more severe bites. Antivenom is available to counteract the poison in the bite of pit vipers (rattlesnakes), eastern coral snakes, and Texas coral snakes.

Rattlesnakes usually measure 3-5 feet in length. The rattlesnake is readily identified by its triangularly-shaped head and rattle found at the tail. As a member of the pit viper family, the rattlesnake has a heat-sensitive pit in the center of its head used to locate prey.

Coral snakes usually measure 13-22 inches in length and are red, yellow, and black. Common in North America, coral snakes resemble the southern US king snake.

As with scorpions, local and systemic reactions from snakebites are usually inversely proportional. In other words, if a large reaction develops at the site of the bite, a person may not develop an overall feeling of illness; whereas, if only minor irritation develops at the site of the bite, a person may begin to feel ill, develop fever, or become faint.

About 30-50% of snakebites from venomous species do not result in poisonings.