If you live in the central or eastern United States, you might see more snakes after multiple rounds of severe storms and flooding.
The snakes won’t be drawn out by weather. The flooding forces them to leave their dens or shelters in search of higher, drier ground. Sometimes that means slithering up to − or even inside − homes, according to experts at NC State University.
Rainy weather can also encourage snakes to venture out because prey such as frogs, toads and other amphibians tend to be more active. Almost every state has a variety of snake species, both poisonous and nonvenomous. Only three states do not have venomous snakes: Alaska, Maine and Rhode Island.
The majority of snakebites are recorded from April to October, when snakes and humans alike are most active outdoors and likely to cross each other’s paths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes each year.
Here are precautions you should take and the most common venomous snakes people may encounter.
Take snake precautions during and after heavy rainfall
Because flood-damaged structures have multiple accessible exits, they are more likely to attract snakes. Snakes that have been displaced may be discovered in heaps of debris during cleanup or beneath material left behind, according to the University of Missouri.
- When working in areas with thick grass or clearing debris, pay extra attention to where you step and where you place your hands.
- When in areas with a lot of debris and a high probability of snake sightings, wear snake leggings or boots that are at least 10 inches high.
- If a snake is in your path, move aside and let it continue on its way. Since snakes typically travel slowly, people can easily avoid their path.
How to identify a copperhead snake
Copperheads have muscular, thick bodies with ridged scales. Their pupils are vertical, similar to a cat’s eyes, and their irises are usually reddish-brown or orange. They prefer rocky mountains, wooded areas and a habitat with both sunlight and cover. They’re not as venomous as cottonmouths.
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Copperhead snake size
How to identify a cottonmouth snake
Cottonmouths (also known as water moccasins) are venomous and are almost always found near water, basking in the sun on rocks, branches or along the water’s edge. They have a distinctive thick broad head with camouflaged eyes. When their heads are viewed from above, their eyes cannot be seen. Younger cottonmouths are usually lighter in color and darken as they age.
Cottonmouth snake size
How to identify a rattlesnake
The habitat range of rattlesnakes reaches across the majority of the United States, primarily in the desert, mountains, prairies and along coastlines. A rattle at the end of the snake’s tail makes a buzzing sound when the reptile feels threatened, though they don’t always rattle before biting.
According to the Mayo Clinic, snakebites from venomous snakes, including the rattlesnake, come with various symptoms: “There is severe burning pain at the site within 15 to 30 minutes. This can progress to swelling and bruising at the wound and all the way up the arm or leg. Other signs and symptoms include nausea, labored breathing and a general sense of weakness, as well as an odd taste in the mouth.”
Rattlesnake size
How to identify a coral snake
Coral snakes are secretive and prefer to spend most of their lives hidden underground or in leaf piles. Their distinctive bright colors of red, yellow and black are easily confused with the nonvenomous milk snake and the scarlet kingsnake, which has red, black, yellow or white banding. Remember the old saying: Red and yellow, kill a fellow; red and black, friend of Jack.
- Bites are rare: The most recent documented death from a coral snake in the USA was in 2009, the first in 40 years.
Coral snake size
How to recognize a snake bite
People should treat any snakebite as if it were venomous and seek appropriate medical attention. How to identify a snakebite pattern:
What you should do if you are bitten by a snake
Call 911 or your poison control office to get help right away. If it is safe to do so, taking a photo of the snake can make it easier for medical professionals to figure out what kind of treatment you might need.
SOURCE Pennsylvania State University; NC State University, Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute; University of Florida; Live Science; National Wildlife Federation and USA TODAY research
CONTRIBUTING Brandi D. Addison/USA TODAY NETWORK