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poisonous snakes in virginia
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by SCAREDYCAT on July 10, 2003
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I AM A HIKER AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT POISONOUS SNAKES THAT I SHOULD WORRY ABOUT IN VIRGINIA? I'VE ACTUALLY SEEN A TIMBER RATTLER AND COPPERHEAD AND KNOW THAT A COTTONMOUTH IS IN THE AREA TOO. IF YOU ARE BITTEN BY ONE OF THESE WHAT WOULD MOST LIKELY HAPPEN?
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RE: venomous snakes in virginia
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by TomT on July 11, 2003
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There are three "recognised" venomous "pitvipers" in Virginia, which you have already identified, and it is also "possible" for you to see a Coral snake while hiking in Virginia.
The Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Cottonmouth and Copperhead are definitely the most probable species that you might encounter while hiking, however I'd focus on the Copperhead and the Timber Rattlesnake if I were a concerned hiker, unless I were hiking in the Dismall Swamp a lot.
A bite from a Timber Rattlesnake can be a serious bite, although I can't recall a death by snakebite in Virginia since I moved here in 1983. A copperhead bite, while serious, is much less potentially life threatening in my opinion, but it should still be dealt with properly. An Eastern Cottonmouth bite *can* be a rather nasty bite, but my experience keeping these snakes leads me to believe that most cottonmouth bites would tend to be rather shallow (short fangs) and I'm betting they have a tendancy to dry bite, unless stepped directly on, this being said, it is still best to treat a cottonmouth bite seriously, as it can be bad.
As a preventive measure, you can pack a constricting bandage (Co-ban is a good choice, as it sticks to itself, unlike "ace" banadages, which can be hard to apply one-handed, should you be alone and get bit in a hand or arm), some benadryl, and a cell phone for emergency. If you get bit, wrap the area as if it were a sprain starting at the bitten area and wrap back toward the heart, then get to a medical facility without delay. Take the benadryl if you feel symptoms of anaphylaxis (throat closing up, etc.)...and whatever else you decide to do... DON'T PANIC... DON'T RUN.... walk if you must, but remain as calm as it is possible for you to remain. Elevating your heart rate is the worst thing that you can do.
I know that applying the pressure-immobilization bandage is still controversial, as it can cause increased necrosis at the bite site, but if you're out in the middle of nowhere and you get bit by a timber rattlesnake, you should be concerned with survival, not a little "potential increase in necrosis" that may be caused by using a constricting bandage. Also, it is important to note that you should not wrap the co-ban (or ace bandage) any tighter than if you sprained the limb. I'm not talking about applying so much pressure that you completely cut off blood flow to the bitten region of your body. That's a sure way to lose a body part.
A bite can be extremely painful. It can, and probably will swell (a LOT), and you may become nausiated to the point of vomiting or even losing consciousness. It is important to try to write down as much information (I guess I Should have told you to pack pencil and paper too?) about yourself and the bite as you can. Your name, age, allergies to medication. Time and location of bite, etc... it isn't important to have the snake with you, so don't waste time trying to kill or capture it to pack along. The only two types of antivenom for North American pit vipers will work on you regardless of the species that bit you, if it was a pit viper. Coral venom acts in a completely different way and requires a different antivenom, so that's the only distinction that medical personnel would need to know, that is if it was a coral snake or pit viper (Rattlesnake, cottonmouth or copperhead).
Keep a cool head. If you must drink fluids, drink *VERY* small quantities of water. Cutting and sucking out the venom is a BAD idea. It generally makes the situation much worse. Using electricity, ice, or any other home remedies is generally BAD, and probably will only work if you get a dry bite (no venom) or if you get bitten by a non-venomous snake in the first place.
If it's practical for you to be taken to MCV Hospital in Richmond, that's where I'd ask to be taken if I weer bit in Virginia. They stock Cro-Fab and Wyeth antivenom in their Poison Center. Dr. Rutherford Rose is the lead toxicologist, and I know he's seen plenty of copperhead bites, and at least one cobra bite (mine), so he's familiar and competent with bite treatment. He also understands the wisdom of not performing unnecessary surgery (fasciotomy).
Read and educate yourself (like I hope you're doing now) about the REAL possibility of snakebite in the region in which you hike. Understand that you won't likely find Cottonmouths in Charlottesville, even though the local folks claim they've got "nests" of them in every farm pond you pass by. Understand why the snakes are on the paths you walk, and learn to spot and avoid them while you pass on by. It is FAR easier not to get bitten then it is to deal with a bite after it happens. Carry a walking stick with you and use it (if necessary) to gently guide a snake off a path, if you cannot pass by without interacting with the snake. More people are bitten while trying to capture or kill venomous snakes than if they would have just walked on by without interacting with the snake at all. If you come to a downed tree/log in the path, step up on top and then over, to avoid placing your foot into a place where there might be a snake that you cannot see. Don't reach into places that you cannot see the entire inside of, especially stump holes or hollow logs. You may not think you are a threat to the snake, but the snake does not know whether you are friend or foe when you approach. Most everything in the woods is looking for a meal when it comes calling, so the snake has to protect itself the only way it knows.
Venomous snakes comprise a small part of the total population of snakes within the United States, so most of the snakes you will see will be non-venomous. Buying a good field guide (The Snakes of Virginia is a great place to start) is a good idea.
That's about all I can think of for now. I'm sure Jared, or one of the others here can advise you to an even better degree than me.
Tom
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