You know the saying: “red touches black, venom lack; red touches yellow, kill a fellow.”
Well, it’s a bit extra difficult than that.
Georgia has one of the vital biodiverse landscapes for snakes, with round 47 species of snakes, in line with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Snakes within the Peach State “can be found from the mountains of northern Georgia to the barrier islands along the Atlantic coast,” in city and suburban areas alike. So, a human encounter with a snake is certain to occur sooner or later or one other.
So, it’s finest to know in case your encounter is a pleasant one or a probably deadly one. Out of the 47 species of snakes in Georgia, solely six are venomous and solely three characterize a deadly menace: the Cottonmouth, Diamondback Rattlesnake and Timber Rattlesnake.
Here’s a full checklist of all venomous snakes, details about every one and the place they’ll every be discovered:
Copperhead
Appearance: Copperheads are sometimes three to 4 toes, and their coloration could be gentle brown, grey and rusty orange. They could be recognized by the hourglass sample alongside the again.
Habitat: Forest/wooded areas stuffed with logs and rocks.
Threat: Copperheads are widespread, however their chunk shouldn’t be deadly.
Cottonmouth
Appearance: Large, often between three and 6 toes with a big head, resembling a block. Cottonmouths are coated in darkish brown colours and generally olive greens.
Habitat: Coastal areas in Georgia. They desire swamps, however they are often present in shifting rivers, creeks and lakes. When Cottonmouths really feel threatened, they may open their mouths and present the white lining inside.
Threat: Very widespread. Bite could be deadly.
Coral Snake
Appearance: Small (between two and three toes) and slender. The coral snake has black and purple rings, separated by smaller yellow rings; therefore, the “red touches yellow” rhyme.
Habitat: Coastal Plains; they love sandy soils and underground burrows or holes.
Threat: Coral snakes are very uncommon in Georgia. According to the Georgia DNR, Coral snakes “have a dangerously potent venom,” that may shortly paralyze a human or ship them into cardiac arrest.
Diamondback Rattlesnake
Appearance: Can attain as much as seven toes in size, however these snakes are usually between three and 5 toes lengthy. The diamondback is brown, yellow and black and has a diamond-like sample down its again. The rattles on the tail finish are gentle coloured rings manufactured from keratin.
Habitat: Found alongside the coastal plains, pine woods and forests. They will also be present in sand dunes, marshes and lengthy grass/shrubs.
Threat: Rare, however lethal. These snakes usually tend to be killed by people than the opposite approach round.
Sadly, these snakes are dying out as a result of people gasoline burrows in an try to kill massive quantities of Diamondbacks. This shouldn’t be solely unlawful, but it surely additionally places many extra animals (not simply snakes) at risk.
Timber Rattlesnake
Appearance: Usually between three and 5 toes, however some can develop as much as six toes lengthy. These snakes usually have brown, grey, tan and yellow colours on their our bodies, however some may also have pink hues. They even have chevron shapes alongside their backs.
Habitat: Heavily wooded coastal plains; in addition they love streams and den websites akin to stumps, holes and burrows. Many have been present in barns as properly.
Threat: Timber Rattlesnakes are pretty widespread and their chunk could be deadly.
Pigmy Rattlesnake
Appearance: These snakes are the smallest rattlesnakes, starting from 16-23 inches lengthy. Pigmy rattlesnakes have black spots with purple or orange stripes all the best way down its physique.
Habitat: Dry sandhills, pine forests and noticed palmetto thickets.
Threat: Not widespread and chunk shouldn’t be deadly.
What must you do in case you are bitten by a snake?
If you’re bitten by a snake, right here’s what you need to do:
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Stay calm and name 911 or the Georgia Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
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Try to establish the snake by taking a look at its colours, sample and head form. Also, observe what time the chunk occurred
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Keep nonetheless and keep calm. Remove all jewellery and tight clothes
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Wash the chunk with cleaning soap and water and canopy the chunk with a clear, dry dressing
What must you NOT do if bitten by a snake?
The Georgia Poison Control heart says DON’T do the next:
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DO NOT decide up the snake or attempt to entice it. It might chunk a second time
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DO NOT apply a tourniquet or try to limit blood blow to the affected space
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DO NOT reduce the wound
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DO NOT try to suck out the venom
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DO NOT apply warmth, chilly, electrical energy or any substance to the chunk
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DO NOT drink alcohol or caffeinated drinks
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DO NOT take any medication or medicines
More data could be discovered on Georgia DNR’s web site.
Have you seen a snake round currently? Have you ever been bitten by a snake in GA? Let me know at [email protected]
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