Difficult to properly identify snakes
As discussed in the last week's column, the arrival of spring and summer is accompanied by more outdoor activities, especially water activities, and an increase in encounters with reptiles.
“Most people will be quick to admit that they have a real fear of snakes," said wildlife biologist for Wildlife Mississippi Rob Ballinger. "Even the slightest mention of the word ‘snake' may cause some people to become uneasy. This fear of snakes is a learned behavior which is brought on by years of listening to legends and superstitions concerning snakes."
The problem most people encounter is the ability to properly identify snakes. Of the 50 plus species of snakes found in Mississippi, only six are poisonous. They are the copperhead, cottonmouth (or water moccasin), pigmy rattlesnake, timber (or canebrake) rattlesnake, Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, and the coral snake. The first five are pit vipers. The coral snake is akin to cobras. There are approximately 100 to 200 venomous snake bites per year in Mississippi.
Ballinger states that when a snake is encountered, the best thing to do is leave it alone. Avoidance is the best policy. Most people bitten by snakes have provoked the snake either intentionally or by accident. Contrary to popular belief, snakes are not aggressive. When spending time in the outdoors, always try to walk in clear areas, paying close attention to where you are stepping. Wear leather boots at least 10-inches high. When fishing, watch the tree limbs where the snakes may be basking in the sun.
According to Dr. William McKell of Ridgeland, in the event of a snake bite, try to stay as calm as possible. Any increase in heart rate will, in turn, increase the rate that venom is distributed throughout the body. If possible, kill and identify the snake. Arrange for transportation to a hospital emergency room immediately. Try to position the bitten area below the level of the heart. Remove watches, rings, and other constricting jewelry.
Incision and suction are no longer recommended. “Tourniquets” are out. It is, however, almost universally recommended that a large “constricting band” at a level between the bite site and the heart be applied. Taking care not to constrict arterial blood flow, this band should allow your little finger to slip under it. Do not use ice for it has been shown to cause further tissue damage. If the patient is within an hour or so from an emergency room, first aid measures such as the constricting band may be omitted.
“Snakes are an important ecological component and are useful to all of us because they consume large numbers of rodents. Never try to kill a snake unless it is threatening your life or the life of another person.” Ballinger said.
This is the second part of a two-part column regarding snakes in Mississippi. James L. Cummins is executive director of Wildlife Mississippi, a nonprofit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi. Their website is www.wildlifemiss.org. The opinions in this column are Cummins' and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Starkville Daily News or its staff.