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Poisonous Snakes. By: Bryan Cheung T.317 Life Scout 22 Sept 2008. Types of Poisonous Snakes. 6 Types of poisonous snakes in Florida Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Canebrake (Timber) Rattlesnake Pygmy Rattlesnake Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin) Copperhead Coral Snake From 2 families:
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Poisonous Snakes By: Bryan Cheung T.317 Life Scout 22 Sept 2008
Types of Poisonous Snakes • 6 Types of poisonous snakes in Florida • Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake • Canebrake (Timber) Rattlesnake • Pygmy Rattlesnake • Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin) • Copperhead • Coral Snake • From 2 families: • Viperidae (vipers/pit vipers) • Elapidae (cobras)
Viper/Pit Viper Family • 5 Types in Florida: • Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake • Canebrake (Timber) Rattlesnake • Pygmy Rattlesnake • Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin) • Copperhead • Characteristics: • Elliptical Pupils • Pits between eyes and nostrils • Arrow-shaped heads • Use hemotoxic venom which destroys red blood cells and walls of blood vessels.
Cobra Family • 1 Type in Florida • Coral Snake • Characteristics • Round pupils • Round shaped heads • Use neurotoxic venom that attacks the nervous system of the prey through paralysis of the heart and lung muscles.
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake • How to identify: • Yellow-bordered Diamond-shaped markings • Rattle at end of tail • Arrow shaped head much wider than neck area • Frequently seen in palmetto flatlands, pine woods, abandoned fields, and brushy/grassy areas
Canebrake Rattlesnake • How to Identify: • Grayish-brown color • Dark chevron-shaped bands or blotches across its body • Orange or rusty-red stripe down the middle of its back from head to tail • Brown or black tail with a rattle on the end
Pygmy Rattlesnake • How to identify: • Small rattle that sounds like buzzing sound and can only be heard from a few feet away • Gray color • About 3 rows of dark, round spots around its back • A single orange or reddish stripe down the back in between the spots • Young Pygmy rattler tails may be yellow at the tip
Cottonmouth (water moccasin) • How to identify: • Darkish brown to black in color • May have black bands across body • When provoked, it will lay its head back and open its mouth to show the white lining of the mouth (which is why it is called cottonmouth)
Copperhead • How to identify: • Tan to pinkish in color • Reddish Brown hourglass-shaped bands across the body • Copper colored head
Which is venomous? Coral Snake (Venomous) Scarlet King snake (Nonvenomous) Easy way to remember: “Red touch yellow, deadly fellow; Red touch black, friendly Jack” Or, black nose=venomous
Coral Snake • How to Identify: • Very colorful stripe pattern • Black nose • Most are less than 30 in. in length • Round pupils like most non-venomous snakes
First Aid • Non-Poisonous Snakebites • Clean wound with soap and water and apply antiseptic • Wrap it with a clean bandage • Poisonous Snakebites • Get victim to medical attention ASAP • Remove rings/jewelry around the bite area • Let the victim lay down and place the injured area lower than the rest of the body • Treat for shock (keep them calm, keep airway open, raise legs, etc) • If available within 3 minutes of the bite, use a venom extractor. • Do NOT: • Make cuts on the wound • Apply ice • Try to suck out the venom with your mouth • Go after the snake to kill it • Let the victim make many movements
More Info • Florida Venomous Snakes (with pictures) <http://www.247wildlife.com/venomousnakes.htm> • Guide to Florida Snake <http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/FL-GUIDE/onlineguide.htm> • First Aid for Snakebites <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000031.htm>