In the spring, it’s time to remind you of some of the sly neighbors you might encounter when you’re outdoors over the next few months.
As the North Carolina weather warms, snakes begin to move around and do things like snakes. And we are more likely to cross the road with them.
They generally don’t have to worry too much, but encounters can be a bit scary for some (for snakes and people).It’s important to know that 38 species of snakes in North CarolinaThe majority are non-toxic and not aggressive to people unless threatened.
Let’s acquire knowledge. Learn about venomous snakes in our area (sometimes mistakenly called toxic) and how to distinguish them from harmless snakes.
How to tell if a snake is toxic
What is the shape of your head? In general, the general rule of thumb is that most venomous snakes have a triangular or diamond-shaped head, while non-venomous snakes have a tapered head.
However, you cannot rely on this.
Some non-viper snakes (such as rat snakes) By flattening the head, it imitates the triangular shape of a venomous snake. When intimidated (Don’t be a prey to other animals), So you don’t just go with the shape of your head.
Can you see Another tricky, but often shared hint is to look at the shape of the pupil. Venomous snakes are said to have a rectangular pupil that looks like a slit in the center of the eye, while venomous snakes have a round pupil.
actual, NCWildlife website documentationThe snake’s pupil can be dilated like a human’s pupil and can look around.
The best way to know if a snake is toxic is Know the common venomous snakes in your area And I know what they look like.
North Carolina venomous snake
There are six venomous snakes found in North Carolina:
Note: Harlequin coral snake very Although rare, there are very serious bites. To be honest, you are unlikely to encounter this snake.
Scroll to the bottom of this story to see what to do if you’re bitten by a snake and tips for seeing more pictures of snakes.
Here’s an overview of the six venomous snakes in North Carolina:
Copperhead
Copperhead snakes are the most common venomous snake in North Carolina.
What they look like: It is brownish in color and has the shape of an hourglass resembling Hershey’s Kisses. Copperhead babies are born with a yellow or green tail tip. The tip of the tail turns brown or black at about 1 year of age. Adult American beetles grow to a length of about 3 feet.
bite: Charlotte’s Carolina Poison Center says it receives calls for copperhead bites about 10 times the combined number of all other snakes. Copperhead bites can be severe, but about half of copperhead bites cause only mild swelling and pain.
where are they? American beetles are ubiquitous in North Carolina.
((((Source: Carolinas Poison Center).
Cottonmouth (water moccasin)
What they look like: Cottonmouth snakes have dark bands on dark or olive-colored skin, but are best known for having a white cotton-like interior in their mouth.
Young cottonmouths are light in color and may resemble American cottonmouths. Young cottonmouths have bright yellow or greenish tail tips, and the details of the crossband pattern are most obvious in this age group. Old cottonmouth snakes are often completely dark and unpatterned.
Adult cottonmouth grows to about 3-4 feet in length, but is known to grow to 6 feet.
bite: The severity of the cottonmouth bite is similar to that of copperhead.
where are they? American beetles are found primarily in the eastern part of North Carolina and prefer a freshwater environment (although they are also found on land).
((((Source: Carolinas Poison CenterNC Wildlife)
Eastern diamondback rattlesnake
What they look like: Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes have gray or yellowish skin, with a black diamond pattern bordered by black. They have a large, wide head and two thin lines on their faces.
The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is the shortest but heaviest venomous snake in the Americas and the largest rattlesnake in the world. These snakes weigh up to 4-5 pounds and usually grow to about 4-5 feet in length (the maximum length ever recorded was 8 feet).
These snakes are known for the rattling noise they make to cool their bones.
bite: Rattlesnake bites are more severe than cottonmouth and cottonmouth bites and are considered emergency care.
where are they? They are located in the southeastern part of North Carolina and prefer sandy coastal areas.
((((Source: Carolinas Poison Center, Savannah River Ecology Lab).
Pygmy rattlesnake
What they look like: Pygmy rattlesnakes have gray, pinkish or red skin and have a pattern with dark spots. They grow only up to about 1-2 feet in length.
Pygmy rattlesnakes make rattlesnakes, but rattlesnakes sound like buzz.
bite: Rattlesnake bites are more severe than cottonmouth and cottonmouth and are considered emergency care.
where are they? These snakes are found in the southeastern part of North Carolina, especially in forests.
((((Source: Carolinas Poison Center).
Timberrattlesnake
What they look like: Timbersnakes come in a variety of colors, but light skin has dark bands and rattlesnakes on the edge of the tail. Coastal varieties look like brown or orange “racing stripes” in the middle of the back.
Timberrattlesnakes grow to about 4 feet in length.
bite: Rattlesnake bites are more severe than cottonmouth and cottonmouth and are considered emergency care.
where are they? Timberrattlesnakes are found throughout North Carolina and prefer forests.
((((Source: Carolinas Poison Center).
Eastern coral snake
Coral snakes are actually Very rare in North Carolina It is believed to be endangered, but it is highly toxic.
What they look like: These snakes are thin and have red, yellow and black rings. Coral snakes are very similar to scarlet kingsnakes (harmless), but there is an easy way to distinguish them. Remember this rhyme: “Jack’s friend, red touches black. Red touches yellow and kills his companions.”
Another way to distinguish scarlet kingsnakes from coral snakes is nose color. Scarlet kingsnakes have a red nose, and coral snakes have a black nose.
The coral snake’s nose also has a dull shape, especially compared to most snakes.
bite: Coral snake venom attacks the central nervous system, and when death occurs, it is usually the result of respiratory failure.
where are they? Coral snakes live in sandy areas near the South Carolina border and most often stay underground.
(sauce: North Carolina Herbs).
If you are bitten by a snake, you need to do the following:
▪ ▪ Please sit down and calm down.
▪ ▪ Gently wash the bite area with warm soapy water.
▪ ▪ Remove all jewels and tight clothing near the bite site.
▪ ▪ If possible, keep the bitten area still and raise it to heart level.
▪ ▪ Call the Carolina Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222.
Note: If the victim of a snakebite has chest pain, dyspnea, swelling of the face, or loss of consciousness, call 911 immediately.
If you are bitten by a snake, you should not do the following:
▪ ▪ Cut out the bitten area and try to expel the poison. This can exacerbate the injury.
▪ ▪ Cool the area with ice. Accretion causes additional tissue damage.
▪ ▪ Apply a tourniquet or any tight bandage. It is actually better for the poison to flow through the body than to stay in one area.
▪ ▪ Try to suck the bite or use a suction device to remove the poison.
▪ ▪ Try to catch or kill the snake.
For questions or more information about snakebites, please contact the Carolinas Poison Center (1-800-222-1222).