Forest Pests: Insects, Diseases & Other Damage Agents

Snakes Hazards of the Outdoors Written by Terry Price, Georgia Forestry Commission Adapted for the web by the Bugwood Network

Georgia and the southeastern U.S. have a high diversity of snakes due primarily to the warm, moist climate and a wide variety of habitats. Some snakes are habitat specific and others can be found in almost any habitat.

The majority of snakes are harmless. However, there are several species dangerous to humans. In the southeastern U.S. these are the copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix; eastern coral snake, Micrurus fulvius fulvius; timber rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus; cottonmouth, A. piscivorus; pigmy rattlesnake, Sistrurus catenatus catenatus; and eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Crotalus adamantus (Figures 48-53). These snakes are grouped as pit vipers (except the coral snake); that is, snakes that have a heat sensitive opening or pit between the eyes and nostrils. The pit also guides the direction of the strike.

The venom of the pit vipers is a complex mixture of proteins that affect almost every organ system in humans.

Statistics on the number of snake bites that occur in the U.S. each year are not accurate since poison control centers are not required to report them. Based on a 1991 voluntary report to the American Association of Poison Control Centers in the U.S., a total of 76,941 animal bites occurred. Of these, 4,408 were attributed to rattlesnakes.

Recommended first aid for venomous snake bite include: (1) keep the victim calm and minimize their physical activity, (2) get the victim to the nearest medical facility immediately. It would be helpful to identify the snake, but be careful to avoid being bitten.

Foresters and others who work outdoors in snake infested areas should wear protective boots or leggings.
Figure 48 - Copperhead Photo by Jeffrey J. Jackson, University of Georgia	Figure 49 - Coral snake Photo by Jeffrey J. Jackson, University of Georgia
Figure 50 - Timber rattlesnake Photo by Jeffrey J. Jackson, University of Georgia	Figure 51 - Cottonmouth Photo by Jeffrey J. Jackson, University of Georgia
Figure 52 - Pingy rattlesnake Photo by Jeffrey J. Jackson, University of Georgia	Figure 53 - Diamondback rattlesnake Photo by Jeffrey J. Jackson, University of Georgia