What to do about a snake bite

Snakes are one of God’s more unique creatures. While they help control pest populations, venomous snakes can pose serious dangers to humans. For this reason, they should never be underestimated.

If you encounter a snake, the most important rule is to avoid it if you cannot identify its species. Many snakes can strike at a distance of up to twice their body length. This means that a one-foot snake could potentially leap from the palm of your hand to your face in an instant. Therefore, it’s crucial to maintain as much distance as possible.

In the unfortunate event of a snake bite, it’s important to know that our town does not stock anti-venom due to its high cost and short shelf life. The nearest source is in Wichita Falls, and even they may not always have it in stock. According to Kaiser Health News, a vial of Anavip costs $1,220 and a minimum dosage of 10 vials would cost at least $12,220 plus other treatment costs.

If you are bitten by a snake, call 911 immediately. Be prepared to inform the operator if you can identify the snake, whether you still have it in view, and where the bite occurred. Time is critical, and in our community, this will likely result in an emergency airlift to Wichita Falls.

While waiting for emergency responders, the best thing you can do is remain calm and lie still. Remove any tight clothing or jewelry to prevent restricted blood flow, and try to immobilize the affected area. It’s important not to apply ice or a tourniquet, as these can do more harm than good. Additionally, do not attempt to suck out the venom, as this can worsen the situation.

In Texas, we have four types of venomous snakes: Copperheads, Coral Snakes, Cottonmouths, and Rattlesnakes.

Copperheads

Copperheads have light-colored bodies with reddish-brown, hourglassshaped bands. They usually grow to about 2 feet long and prefer rocky areas and moist, wooded bottomlands. While their bites can be painful, they’re rarely deadly due to their small fangs and limited venom. There are three types of copperheads in Texas, each with slightly different patterns.

Coral Snakes

Coral snakes have distinctive red, yellow, and black rings around their bodies. They grow to about 2½ feet long and live in woodlands and canyons. Though their venom is highly toxic and attacks the nervous system, they’re usually shy and will try to avoid confrontation.

Cottonmouths (Water Moccasins) Cottonmouths, also called water moccasins, are dark-colored, usually in shades of brown, olive green, or black, with wide bands along their bodies. They grow to about 3½ feet long and are often found in swamps, lakes, and rivers. When threatened, they show the white tissue inside their mouths, which is how they got their name.

Rattlesnakes

Rattlesnakes vary in appearance, but the most common in Texas is the western diamondback rattlesnake. It has a brown body with diamond- shaped patterns down its back and blackand- white rings near its rattle. They typically grow to about 4 feet but can reach up to 7 feet long. These are often confused for Bull Snakes, but Rattlesnakes have a more angular head.

While there are many snakes in the area, the best course of action is to avoid them. And remember, where there is one snake, there are likely others nearby.

Keep in mind that where there’s one snake, there are likely others nearby. In fact, experts have found that more injuries occur when people try to kill snakes rather than simply leaving them alone.