A widely shared post on social media makes the claim that venomous snakes tend to move on the surface of water, while common water snakes dive beneath the surface. It looks much like an eastern garter snake, in that it has yellow and black stripes, but it also has thick burgundy stripes and a white mark by the eye. When threatened, this harmless snake may flatten its head like a cobra, and then play dead. There are no water moccasins, cobras, or other exotic venomous snakes native to Massachusetts. Always keep a keen eye and stay aware of your foot placement, especially in high grass, wooded areas and rocky terrain. Banner on dealing with a snake bite. Use this information to help you and your family better prepare for the upcoming snake season in Oklahoma. Northern water snakes have a bulb-shaped pattern that widens in the center, whereas the venomous copperhead has an hourglass-like pattern. The eastern black racer grows fairly large, up to 73” long. Once you're in the hospital, treatment may include the use of anti-venom, lab work, pain sedation medications and supportive care. ©2020 INTEGRIS Health Oklahoma's largest hospital network. Threatened in Massachusetts, and, under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act, it is illegal to kill, harass, or possess this snake. This non-venomous snake is often confused for a rattlesnake, but it lacks the rattle, keeled scales, and cat-like pupils. This gentle snake helpfully eats a number of insects, beetles, and other small creatures. Mass Audubon is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax identification number 04-2104702) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It’s found in fields, woodlands, rocky hillsides, and wetland edges, and primarily eats small mammals. This snake is large and has a black mark that runs from its eye to the corner of its mouth. It is creamy beige-brown, with keeled scales, and dark brown spots down the back. Keep in mind how to correctly identify venomous and non-venomous snakes, stay aware of your surroundings and take proper action if a snake bite occurs. It has a thick, heavy body, with keeled scales, a triangular head, and a thin, cat-like pupil. From a distance, you can see that non-venomous water snakes only swim with the upper halves of their body out of the water. The two venomous species, the timber rattlesnake and northern copperhead, are very rare, and prefer rocky, forested hillsides. Residents across Oklahoma watched a terrifying video that went viral last week when a doorbell camera captured a large snake biting an unsuspecting Lawton man directly in the face. These snakes are generally not aggressive and will try to escape if confronted by a person, however the are very venomous and their bites can be fatal if not treated quickly. He then shouts, “Take me to the hospital! Find out how to tell the difference between a water snake and a water moccasin and what a yellow bellied water snake, black water snake, blotched water snake and a broad banded water snake look like. Subscribe to our e-news for the latest events, updates and info. Their prey includes rodents, small mammals, frogs and lizards. Three are venomous — rattlesnakes, cottonmouths and copperheads. Its body color varies from yellow to brown to black, and it has keeled scales. These include: water snakes Donations to Mass Audubon are tax-deductible to the full extent provided by law. “The best thing you can do is move to a safe place, monitor your heart rate and breathing, note the time of the bite so it can be reported, and get to the emergency room as soon as possible.”. Be sure to never cut, puncture, tourniquet or ice your wound,” Dr. If you text "poison" to 797979 you will get a contact number sent to your phone for the. You can reduce the chance of running into a snake around your home by removing tall grass, brush piles and piled materials. No doubt, we all hope to never bump into a snake, and there are things you can do to lower your chances. Elegant and slender, the eastern ribbon snake has keeled scales. These include: Garter snakes, rat snakes and king snakes can be found in various terrains, including damp woodlands, meadows, prairies and farms. However, when agitated they may flatten their bodies and bite. Non-venomous snakes in Oklahoma. Red touch yellow, kills a fellow” does. Cottonmouth/Water Moccasins. The well-known rhyme “Red touch black, safe for Jack. Other water snakes, such as the Nerodia spp., are often mistaken for water moccasins and killed. Don’t try and catch the snake, and never try to ‘suck out the venom.’, “When dealing with a snake bite at home, try your best to leave the bite alone. But perhaps you don’t need to worry too much — out of 47 snake species in Oklahoma, only seven are venomous. Learn which water snakes in Texas are poisonous and which varieties are non-venomous. The best way to avoid snakes is to walk on clear paths, free of debris. Poisonous or not, getting bitten by a snake is undoubtedly unpleasant. Venomous, the timber rattlesnake is extremely rare and localized. If the eyes have vertical pupils (like cat eyes) it’s a strong indicator the snake is poisonous. They come in many patterns and colors, and their diets and habitats vary. It’s a good time to review some important things to know about the types of snakes in Oklahoma and their dangers, so you can keep your family safe this summer when you’re enjoying the great outdoors while camping, hiking or going to the lake. “This type of attack is very rare.” In fact, Dr. For example, in wooded areas, be sure to look before you reach! This snake is small and usually has brown, peachy or tan mottled skin. When spending time outdoors in areas where snakes might be, it’s a good idea to wear tall boots and long pants. The eastern milk snake has a mottled grey, brown, and reddish body. Remember to remain calm to keep the heart rate down, and try and keep the bite site below heart level. That is why I have brought you this guide in which you will learn how you can treat Northern water snakes bite and along with that, I will also give you some space of information about how you can prevent getting a bite from a water snake. Last year, the Oklahoma Center for Poison & Drug Information reported about 300 snake bites in Oklahoma. Try to seal any cracks in foundations, windows, doors and air conditioners to help prevent them from entering your home. People often mistakenly call this snake a “garden snake,” because it can sometimes be seen in gardens. The cotton mouth is an example of a semi aquatic snake that is quite venomous. The eastern garter snake is one of our most commonly-seen snakes. Check back to the INTEGRIS On Your Health blog for the latest health and wellness news for all Oklahomans. Their initial response is take refuge if upset. Another common way to identify cottonmouths from watersnakes is how they swim. Endangered in the Massachusetts, and, under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act, it is illegal to kill, harass, or possess this snake. Should you be worried that one might be lurking in your mailbox? However, the name “garter snake” comes from the old fashion of wearing garters—strips of fabric that held up stockings. Black rat snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) As adults, they have dark bands and are often mistaken for copperheads or cottonmouths, but these snakes are not venomous. The ringneck snake is named for the yellow ring around its neck. However, when cornered the banded watersnake can change its body and head to look larger and possibly hoping to mimic other dangerous venomous snakes. It’s found in wetlands—you may see it swimming—and it primarily eats amphibians and fish. It prefers areas of thick foliage, where it can blend in. Other venomous snakes are found near prairies and in southern and western Oklahoma where rocky ridges are common. Young snakes are mottled grey-blue and brown. Its brown and orange body is well-camouflaged against the forest floor. It’s fairly small, between 9-13” long, and is skittish and shy. DeKays Brown snake © Joy Marzolf, Mass Audubon, Eastern garter snake © Rosemary Mosco, Mass Audubon, Hognose snake © Rosemary Mosco, Mass Audubon, Eastern Milk Snake © Joy Marzolf, Mass Audubon, Worm Snake © Tom Tyning westernmassnaturalist.org, Copperhead Snake © Joy Marzolf, Mass Audubon, Red-bellied snake © Rosemary Mosco, Mass Audubon, Northern Water Snake © Joy Marzolf, Mass Audubon, Timber Rattlesnake © Dr. Charles F. Smith. It’s fairly small, usually measuring from 7-11” long. He also doesn’t think the snake was seeking shelter in the mailbox, but rather someone placed the snake there. Like the black rat snake, it is mostly black, but it has smooth scales. Other venomous snakes are found near prairies and in southern and western Oklahoma where rocky ridges are common. Can Non-Venomous Snake Bites Cause Infections? It has a heavy body, a triangular head, a slitted, cat-like pupil, and a rattle that it uses to warn potential predators. It has heavily keeled scales, and a complex, varying pattern of browns, blacks, and grays. The video shows Jerel Heywood opening a screen door when suddenly a snake leaps into the video and bites Heywood’s head. Luckily for Heywood, the bull snake that bit him was not poisonous. They can indeed be dangerous if you get too close. Compared to venomous snakes, non-venomous snakes tend to have small and narrow shaped heads. This species is found in the Connecticut River Valley. A rocky terrain is a prime place for these southwestern snakes to warm in the sun. Most venomous snakes have slot-like pupils, unlike species like the northern water snake, which has rounded pupils. Venomous, the northern copperhead is extremely rare to encounter. Its diet is varied, but it prefers to eat toads. Typically, venomous snakes have heads that are diamond or triangular in shape. But just how common are snakes in Oklahoma? The water snake is a diurnal and nocturnal species, however during the summertime extreme heat, it’s active during the night. The question commonly comes up “can a water moccasin bite underwater?” from what I gather the answer is a definitive yes, so be careful. Although snake bites in Oklahoma are rare, they still happen. The other three are harmless but … Now that we’ve moved into warmer weather, we’re heading into prime snake season, which spikes in late August. There are several things to look for on a snake that can help identify if it is venomous. Rattlesnakes make up the majority of venomous snakes in Oklahoma and can be identified by the rattlers on their tails, which they shake vigorously at threats. There are no water moccasins, cobras, or other exotic venomous snakes native to Massachusetts. Unfortunately, some of those bites were poisonous. Read More. The head is flattened and angular in appearance. If you own chickens, king snakes are frequently found near the coop trying to steal eggs. According to Dr. Colby Edwards, who works in the emergency department at INTEGRIS Health Edmond, “The most common poisonous snake bites we see here in the Edmond ER are copperheads. There are several types of rattlesnakes found in Oklahoma, including Prairie Rattlesnakes, Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes, Western Pigmy Rattlesnakes, Timber Rattlesnakes and Western Massasauga Rattlesnakes. Copperheads. It prefers rocky, forested areas. However, it’s generally less tolerant of urban and suburban areas than the brownsnake, and it has a bright red belly. The first is its head shape. Similar to the DeKay’s brownsnake, the northern red-bellied snake is small, with keeled scales and a brown back, and often eats slugs and worms. Subscribe for regular emails full of useful and interesting Oklahoma-centric health and wellness info, from the doctors and health experts at INTEGRIS. There are 14 species of snakes that call Massachusetts home. Its scales are lightly keeled (they have a small ridge, as on the bottom of a boat). We also see venomous bites from cottonmouths/water moccasins and rattlesnakes.”.