Missouri’s Most Notable Snake Bite Incidents This Year

The state of Missouri is home to 49 species and subspecies of snakes. Most of Missouri’s snakes are innocent. They even assist out people by consuming pests comparable to bugs and mice. However, a handful of venomous snakes additionally reside within the state.

Luckily, deadly snakebites in Missouri are uncommon. Let’s dive into a couple of notable snake chunk incidents in Missouri this 12 months, and how one can stop a snake chunk from taking place.

Venomous Snakes in Missouri

Before we dive into Missouri’s most notable snake bites this 12 months, let’s discover the state’s six venomous species, in line with the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)

The most typical venomous snake in Missouri is the jap copperhead. Located just about all through the state, jap copperheads get pleasure from rocky hillsides and the sides of forests. They may also be present in bushes and brush alongside prairie streams.

Eastern copperheads differ in coloration from grayish-brown to pinkish-tan. They even have an hourglass-shaped sample of darkish grey, brown, or reddish-brown.

Some specimens might function pink or orange coloring on their head, therefore the title. Eastern copperheads usually measure from 24 to 36 inches (61–91 cm). Their venom is weaker than some venomous snakes however nonetheless requires quick medical consideration.

Northern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)

Northern cottonmouths, also referred to as water mocassins, are semi-aquatic snakes present in two Missouri habitats: the swamps and oxbow lakes of southeastern Missouri and the rocky streams and river sloughs of the southern Ozarks.

These snakes are usually black with no distinctive sample. Northern cottonmouths get their title from the cotton white lining inside their mouths. These snakes are particularly harmful and might ship a deadly chunk.

Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)

Timber rattlesnakes are distributed all through Missouri and usually reside on rocky, wooded hillsides. They are usually tan in coloration with darkish brown markings on their again. Due to this, timber rattlesnakes mix in effectively to their most well-liked atmosphere.

Timber rattlesnakes are the biggest venomous snake in Missouri. They have a big rattle on the finish of their tails and can chunk if harassed.

Eastern Massasauga/Praire Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus/Sistrurus tergeminus tergeminus)

Though each of those venomous snakes have appeared in Missouri, most locals doubtless don’t want to fret about them. The jap massasauga is probably going extirpated from the state, because it has not been seen in Missouri for a lot of years.

Prairie Massasuagas are endangered within the state of Missouri. They usually solely happen within the north-central and northwestern corners of the state.

Western pygmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius streckeri)

Missouri’s ultimate venomous snake, the western pygmy rattlesnake, is among the smallest species of rattlesnake in North America. They make their home in counties bordering Arkansas and the jap Missouri Ozarks.

These snakes slither underneath rocks on glades and woodlands. They are usually mild grayish brown with small darkish spots. Bites from pygmy rattlesnakes require medical consideration although these snakes are so secretive that the majority Missourians in all probability gained’t encounter them.

Notable Snake Bite Incidents

Missouri ranks eighth for the state with essentially the most snake chunk incidents. The state averages 234 snake bites per 12 months, in line with the World Population Review. Thankfully it seems that not one of the bites from 2023 had been deadly. A number of incidents did make the information.

June 2023

Though there isn’t one particular incident to report, snake bites went up significantly in Missouri in the summertime of 2023. According to a report from Public News Service forty-five snake bites had been reported within the month of June.

Copperheads brought about eighteen of these bites. The improve in snake exercise doubtless occurred as a byproduct of heavy rains in Missouri earlier this 12 months. Thankfully not one of the snake bites brought about any deaths.

What to Do if You See a Venomous Snake

The neatest thing to do in case you see a venomous snake is to maneuver away from it fastidiously and quietly. Avoid stepping over snakes in your path and by no means try to deal with them.

Julie Weber, director of the Missouri Poison Control Center, informed Public News Service that the 2 most typical methods Missourians get bit is from making an attempt to deal with snakes or from by accident stepping on them. Weber recommends utilizing a walking stick when mountain climbing, sporting protecting boots, and making noise.

What to Do if You Are Bitten by a Venomous Snake

Venomous snake bites ought to at all times obtain medical consideration. Weber additional recommends noting the time of the chunk and eradicating all jewellery, as bites may cause swelling. You ought to then name the poison management middle and head to the closest hospital.

The picture featured on the high of this submit is © Ryan M. Bolton/Shutterstock.com