A feisty 2-year-old Olinda boy who was bitten on the shin by a baby rattlesnake on Sunday is expected to make a full recovery and should soon be released from the hospital.

“He’s already trying to crawl out of his crib,” said the boy’s foster sister, 18-year-old Hannah Blue.

Blue said her baby foster brother, who she declined to name because he’s a foster child, was transferred to U.C. Davis Medical Center in Sacramento after being rushed by ambulance to Mercy Medical Center in Redding.

Alex Bostick, a captain with the Happy Valley Fire Protection District, has said the boy was in the front yard of his Willett Way home when his foster mother heard him yell “snake!”

She ran out side, saw the foot-long snake, killed it and called 911.

Bostick said the boy was fearless, saying ‘Bad snake! Mean snake!’ to the firefighters when they arrived.

“He’s just a fun kid,” Blue said.

Paramedics were especially concerned given the boy’s age and the small size of the snake, since they’d heard that young rattlesnakes are generally considered to be more venomous, Bostick said.

But that’s not the case, said Bob Hassel, the owner of Animal Nuisance Control of Cottonwood.

“If you’re going to get bit, get bitten by a little one,” Hassel said. “That’s an old wives’ tale.”

Hassel, who has to frequently handle rattlesnakes, said small snakes have smaller fangs and less venom than their adult counterparts, making them less likely to inject as much venom, which is no more potent than an adult snake’s.

Mercy Medical Center’s emergency room chief Dr. Rob Hamilton said 10 or 12 people are bitten by rattlesnakes in the north state each year.

He has never heard of anyone local dying from a bite. He said as many as 25 percent of the bites are harmless, since the snakes often don’t inject venom in what are known as “dry bites.”

Rattlesnake venom is a hemotoxin, meaning it attacks the muscles and bloodstream rather than the body’s nervous system.

The venom starts breaking down muscle tissue to help a snake not only incapacitate its prey but also to aid in the snake’s digestion.

“It’s more like a really nasty digestive juice,” he said.

Even so, unless the venom is injected directly into a major blood vessel which pumps directly to the heart and the brain, the venom only attacks the area around a bite.

Hamilton said most bites are easily treated with anti-venom, and there’s little risk of allergic reactions any more since most hospitals use synthetic versions of the drugs.

Anti-venom is expensive, however, running around $1,000 for a small vial, he said.

Hamilton said that if someone gets bitten by a rattlesnake they should not panic and should head to their nearest hospital.

He said not to use tourniquets, snake bite kits or attempt to suck the poison out, all of which are likely to do more harm than the actual snakebite.

Hamilton said studies have shown that the age group most likely to be bitten by a rattler are 18- to 25-year-old men, most of whom are bitten on the upper body as they try to drunkenly play with or pickup a snake.

via Olinda toddler bitten by rattlesnake expected to recover » Redding Record Searchlight.

SAN DIEGO — While people become sicker and sicker from rattlesnake bites, researchers at the University of California, San Diego are working to combat that trend by developing more potent anti-venom.

Several weeks ago, a bite killed a 5-year-old Schnauzer in Bonita, but it’s not just dogs that have been bit that have raised the most alarms.

“It’s a definite concern,” said Dr. Richard Clark, the director of toxicology at UCSD.

Clark said although a few dozen human bites are reported locally every year, a puzzling trend has emerged.

“We continue to see very bad snake bites, probably worse than last several years previously,” he said.

More severe reactions, including breathing problems, low blood pressure, and uncontrollable bleeding have led many to wonder if rattlesnake venom is becoming more potent.

One theory proposes rodents, the rattlesnake’s food source, are developing resistance to venom, causing snakes to develop more potent venom by natural selection.

Another theory suggests the rattlesnake has evolved to have more potent venom because of a shrinking habitat and a tougher time finding food over the years.

None of these theories have been proven.

Whatever the cause, UCSD is researching a possible response in the form of more potent anti-venom. A clinical trial began a year and a half ago.

Unlike the conventional anti-venom, the molecules of the new anti-venom are bigger, which means a bigger potential impact on severe and recurring symptoms. The bigger molecules remain in the body long, making the anti-venom more effective.

Clinical trials should be complete by the end of the year. If proven effective, the anti-venom would be a much-needed weapon against venom that may be turning more potent.

Dr. Clark said that every year, there are several rattlesnake-related deaths in California. He said he fears the number could climb, because people with more severe reactions are more at risk for fatal complications.

via Local Rattlesnake Bites Becoming More Severe – San Diego News Story – KGTV San Diego.

What they thought was a fatal spider bite was just a pimple.

In Pomona California this past weekend, a 13 year old teen was believed to have died a week after being bitten by a poisonous spider. There are only two known species of spider in the US that have an adequate quantity of venom that is potent enough to kill a human. Thus, making spider bite fatalities very low and an uncommon occurance.

Los Angeles county coroner’s officials have stated Tuesday that a spider bite did not kill the 13 year old Pomona teen who died on Sunday. The boy’s name has not yet been released to the public.

The boy died in a nearby hospital after going into cardiac arrest. There was a mysterious inflamed welp found on the boy’s body, which was thought to be a venomous spider bite. The bump was believed to be the cause of death and had been noticed a week or more before the incident.

Coroner Lt. Cheryl Macwillie said on Tuesday that there was no evidience of a spider bite and that the “bite” did not kill the boy. She continued to say that the alleged bite was actually a pimple.

An autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday morning to determine the actual cause of death.

via OverTheLimit » Spider Bite Not Responsible for Pomona Teen’s Death.

Although a Trafford man was bit by a snake in Fayette County early Thursday morning, a local herpetologist said close encounters with reptiles are rare.

Chad Heasley, 39, was riding an all-terrain vehicle through the woods with friends when his vehicle got stuck in mud. State police said he went to get some rocks to help elevate his tires and a snake bit him. He was flown to Highlands Hospital and Health Center in Connellsville. A report on his condition was not immediately available.

Ken Stairs of Somerset, a field biologist, said trails go through scenic areas of high mountains where snakes live. Police had not confirmed what kind of snake bit Heasley, but there are copperheads and rattlesnakes in the woods near Connellsville, Stairs said.

“They are secretive and they like to go undetected and unmolested,” he said. “If you step on one or try to pick it up, you will get bit. The snake feels threatened.”

Snakes are often found around rocks or beside logs.

“Never be afraid to hike, but wear boots or sturdy shoes, not flip-flops,” he said. “Look carefully before sitting on the ground and don’t put your fingers on ledges without looking carefully. Step up on logs and look around the side before stepping over it. A snake may be lying on the ground near the log waiting for a chipmunk. Stay on the trail.”

It isn’t true that snakes travel in pairs. Adults that are hunting will be alone. Gestating females will be in groups — he once saw 46 together at a boulder. It isn’t true that snakes can strike a great distance. They can only strike about half of their body length or a little longer if they are on a rock. Their body length isn’t as long as people think, either.

“Snakes aren’t going to chase anybody,” he said. “They are looking for an escape route. Noise wakes them. If you hear a rattle, stop, look for the snake and sidestep around him.”

Ninety-five percent of snakes are nonpoisonous, Stairs said. Those bites are similar to scratches. Someone who is bitten by a poisonous snake can be treated in most hospitals and should be fine if he doesn’t have any underlying medical problems. It isn’t true that physicians need to know what type of snake bit you before starting treatment, he said. The medication is the same.

“Don’t take the snake to the hospital with you — it causes trauma in the ER,” Stairs said. “Thirty percent of bites are dry bites. Out in the southwest you may be further away from medical facilities and the snakes are bigger and have a higher toxicity. There a snake bite is more dangerous.”

Stairs was bitten by a snake once. He had wild-caught a western diamondback rattlesnake in Texas and brought it back with him. He was measuring the snake and it bit him on the thumb.

“It didn’t like being handled,” he said. “I spent seven days in the hospital.”

Venomous snake bites can cause tissue and nerve death. If you are bitten by a rattlesnake or copperhead snake, immobilize the limb at or above the heart if possible. If you are bit on the hand or arm, put your arm across your stomach and hold it there. If you have a cell phone with you, call 911.

“Remain calm — I know it’s hard, but keep your heart rate from going up,” Stairs said. “Get to the nearest medical facility as soon as you can, but don’t run. That raises the heart rate. If you are bit on the hand, remove any rings you’re wearing because your hand will swell. If you have a constricting band — not a tourniquet — put it above the bite. Don’t drink alcohol or take medications.”

The new antivenin serum is sheep blood based and has fewer side effects than the older one that was horse blood based.

About five years ago, he asked the state Health Department how many people in Pennsylvania died of bites from indigenous snakes. There were no deaths for 10 years prior to that.

Stairs and three other men are catching large male rattlesnakes and copperheads on a mountain in Bedford County where wind turbines are to be placed. Two-inch-long transmitters will be implanted in the snakes to track them to dens. The dens will be mapped so the wind turbines don’t break up the dens. The snakes will be caught again in the spring to remove the implants.

Dave Fox, Somerset County 911 coordinator, said people who hike on the trails or through woods need to be aware of where they are. They’ve had problems before with people having a medical emergency on the trail and because they are calling on an older cell phone or the tree canopy was interfering with reception, the 911 center couldn’t pinpoint their location.

“We asked one person where he parked his car so we’d have a starting point, and he replied ‘In a lot with a sign with a big P on it,’” he said. “You need to be aware of which trail you are on and where you went in. Try to know what direction you walked and about how far you walked. If you have a GPS that can be used while walking and a cell phone, take them along. Some people leave the main trail and are on footpaths. That causes problems. Never go alone. It’s like hunting season: You’re safer if you go in numbers. If you do go alone, tell somebody where you are going. People should also wear proper clothing in case they are stranded outside at night. Carry matches to start a fire. Take any survival gear you have.”

via Man bitten by snake in Fayette County woods – Johnstown’s Community Newspaper.

SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) — A teen is recovering in the hospital after a spider bite became infected.

Las week, Dillion Poulos was helping remodel his uncle's kitchen. “We were putting up new panels and stuff and that's when I felt a sting,” Poulos said.

The teen has been at the hospital since last Friday because of the severity of his wound, a big open sore where his flesh have been eaten by the poison. “I felt a sting on my leg and I pulled my pant leg up and it was just a little red mark,” said Poulos.

That little red mark turned into a gaping hole. “It was painful,” he said.

Doctors at Baptist Hospital determined that the sting was the bite of a poisonous spider, the dangerous Brown Recluse. “What happens is that it almost starts eating away at the tissue,” said Dr. Doris Aguilar.

It took the teen two days to realize something was terribly wrong. “I squeezed it and a little bit of puss came out. When I woke up it was all sore and blistered and nasty,” he recalled.

This spider is uncommon in Florida, but doctors believe his family has had unusual run-ins with the rare Recluse before.

“Apparently the mother has been bitten several times and she actually witnessed a brown hairy spider. You can't hardly tell right now, it's just a little bump,” Aguilar said.

As if the spider bite wasn't bad enough, the MRSA Virus also got into the wound, which made treating Poulos that much more difficult. “When they first told me I was like, 'Oh my God. I could be dead,' but thank God I'm still here.”

Doctors said if you get a spider bite, you shouldn't panic. Just don't scratch or pick at it, because that's usually how they get infected. If you notice that it is spreading go see your doctor.

As far as Poulos there is no anti-venom for a Brown Relcuse bite, all they can do is wash it out and give antibiotics, but after being here for a week he will be released on Friday.

via WSVN-TV – Teen recovering from spider bite.

“Hey Dad, I’m riding a turtle.”

My 13-year-old daughter, Abby, was helping clear some of the weeds from our pond and was calling out to me while standing neck deep in weedy water.

I glanced over at her smiling face from where I was lifting out clumps of weeds. The claim didn’t make much sense to me and I figured this was going to be some kind of joke: “Nah, you’re not riding a turtle.”

“Well I’m standing on its back and it’s moving.”

“It’s probably a rock.”

“How much will you give me if it’s a turtle?” she persisted.

“I’ll give you five bucks.” I was starting to think maybe she was really riding a turtle.

“If you’re really on a snapping turtle you’d probably better just swim away, those things have a bite.”

“I really want to catch him. Bring over a bucket so I can throw him in it when I get him.”

I waded over with a medium-sized bucket.

“That’s not big enough.”

I waded back with five gallon bucket. Abby paused. “What are you doing, Abby?”

“Praying.”

The next moment Abby went down under water while I stood with the bucket at the ready.

She came up with a huge snapping monster which she quickly pitched into the bucket.

We took this beast onto shore and surveyed him as he easily snapped off finger-thick sticks with lightning strikes from his powerful jaws.

I was picturing my daughter’s fingers.

“Abby, next time you’re riding a turtle just swim away. But, I have to say, I believe that’s a $10 turtle.”

Snapping turtles are just one of the dangerous creatures folks encounter in east Tennessee. However snappers almost never bother you unless you’re actively bothering them.

Let’s take a brief look at the other potentially dangerous creatures you might encounter around the woods, streams, ponds and backyards of our area.

Let’s start with snakes. There are four kinds of venomous snakes in Tennessee: northern and southern copperhead, timber rattlesnake, western cottonmouth and the western pigmy rattlesnake.

The copperhead is a relatively shy snake, but they account for the most reported bites each year in Tennessee.

Roughly 50 percent of their bites are dry bites; meaning that when they bite, no venom is injected.

Fatal bites are exceedingly rare in Tennessee. Although there are 50,000 deaths worldwide from venomous snakebites reported each year, only 12-15 are in the United States.

Within Tennessee, only four deaths from venomous snakebites have been reported since 1960.

If bitten, the best approach is to try to remain calm and get to a local emergency room. Remove all jewelry around or above the bite area, since there will probably be swelling. But do not apply a tourniquet, nor make cuts around the bite, nor try to suck out the venom. These are outdated approaches that can cause delay, tissue damage, and infection. Don’t try to capture the snake since anti venom is the same for all Tennessee snakes and trying to capture the snake only increases the chances of a second snakebite victim. On average, bites from copperheads result in a week of pain, eleven days of extremity swelling, and two weeks of missed work.

Moving to the smaller culprits, there are two spiders of concern: the black widow and the brown recluse. The black widow is black with a telltale yellow or red hourglass marking on its underside. They are often found in basements, woodpiles and rock walls. Symptoms of a bite may include profuse sweating, nausea, vomiting, headache, and muscle spasms.

The brown recluse hides out in unused shoes, attics, closets and boxes. Its venom destroys tissue. Pain may occur at the bite site six to eight hours afterwards. At 48 hours, there may be itching, redness, blisters, and then a dark crust may form at the bite site followed by sloughing off of some tissue. A visit to the doctor would be wise after a bite from either of these two venomous spiders.

Tennessee is also home to two species of scorpion, the southern unstriped scorpion and the introduced striped Scorpion. Rocky hillsides, rock or brick walls, crawl spaces, and log piles are favorite scorpion habitats. The sting of these scorpions is considered mild. The sensation is a sharp pain that usually lasts for 15 to 20 minutes.

What about fish? The dorsal and pectoral fins of many species of catfish, particularly the small mad toms, have venomous spines that can inflict painful wounds, though generally not life threatening.

Then, of course, there are the red and the black fire ants, bees, wasps, and hornets.

If you should get bitten or stung by any of these creatures, be sure to get immediate medical attention if any of the following occur: Difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips or throat, slurred speech, chest pain, faintness, rapid heart rate, nausea, cramping, vomiting, or a known venomous snakebite.

In spite of all these worrisome critters, the outdoors is still hard to beat here in east Tennessee. So enjoy it! But keep your eyes open.

via Dangerous creatures could ruin a summer.

Not be confused with Entophobia, the fear of ancient, walking talking tree people, entomophobia is the fear that insects will crawl into your ears, eyes, nose and mouth to eventually lay eggs on your brain.  Contestants on Fear Factor have bunjee jumped off helicopters, but ask them to lie in a coffin filled with bugs and their courage crumbles.  So why is it that we, the dominating species on the planet, capable of jumping out of airplanes, wrestling alligators, and rushing into burning buildings to rescue babies, are so utterly terrified of creatures hundreds of times smaller than us?  The following are some of the most horrifying, agony-inducing, flesh-melting, downright dangerous insects known to man.  10 damned good reasons to be afraid…very afraid!

Brazilian Wandering Spider

This little beauty is not only the world’s most venomous spider, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, but is also believed to be responsible for the most human deaths. These deadly arachnids got their name because, unlike most spiders, they don’t hang out in a web or a lair at night, but wander the jungle floor looking for prey—though these pests are increasingly found in cities. During the day Wandering Spiders hide in termite mounds, under logs or sometimes in banana plants.

The venom these spiders produce is similar to the neurotoxin found in Black Widow Spiders, causing pain, cold sweats and an irregular heart beat. It’s believed that between the year 1970 and 1980 Brazilian Wandering Spiders were responsible for hospitalizing about 7,000 people in southern Brazil.

If it doesn’t manage to kill you, however, there are some pretty embarrassing side effects that come with this spider bite.

Africanized Honey Bee (a.k.a. Killer Bees)

The world is full of dangerous things that can kill us, but we only have ourselves to blame for this one folks. Back in the day settlers in North and South America wanted a hardy bee that produced a lot of honey. Well, European bees were bigger and produced more honey, but they were kind of frail. African bees, though tough, were much smaller.

So to get the best of both worlds, they bred these two bees together. This produced a race of large, very aggressive honey bees with a habit of absconding (or abandoning their hives to start new ones elsewhere). These bees are hyper-defensive and attack relentlessly in giant swarms when threatened.

If an Africanized honey bee stings you they not only release their venom, but they release a banana-scented pheromone which signals the other bees to attack.  You can withstand approximately 7 stings for every pound you weigh before your life is in serious danger. These bees have been known to swarm and attack as far as ¼ mile from their hive, and can sting up to 500 times in 30 seconds.  You do the math.

These bees used to dwell mostly in South America, but have been migrating further and further north in recent years.

Giant Japanese Hornet (a.k.a Asian Hornet)

No, that picture isn’t Photoshopped. The bug is really that big. When these puppies aren’t picking fights with entire bee hives or eating honey bee larva, they can be found stinging annoying humans in the Tokyo region with their 6mm stingers (that’s about a quarter inch).

Not only are these bugs frighteningly big, but they’re also frighteningly dangerous. Giant hornet venom is more potent than that of its smaller, puny relatives; it’s a mixture of acetylcholine—which causes a lot of pain—and an enzyme that’s capable of dissolving human flesh. People who have experienced being bitten by these bugs say it feels like a hot nail being driven through your flesh. And once you’ve pissed one of these guys off it will chase you for over three miles. Each year in Japan, Giant Hornets kill more people than all other venomous and non-venomous animals combined.

Siafu Ants

Found mostly in central and east Africa, these ants aren’t so tough on their own. Problem is, you’re not very likely to find one of these little guys by themselves. Siafu Ants live in giant colonies of about 20 million individuals.

When food gets low the ants set out in search of food in columns that can consist of as many as 50 million ants. And that’s when you don’t want to mess with them. The columns defend themselves viciously, and have a military structure complete with sentries that set up a perimeter corridor to protect the smaller members of the colony. You’re not in too much trouble as long as you can run away from a column, but if you’re sick or debilitated or just generally stuck in one place these ants can kill you and consume your entire body. Most people die of asphyxiation rather than the painful venomous bite. These ants have such powerful jaws that in East Africa, people used them to perform emergency sutures.

Bullet Ant

So maybe swarms of tiny ants don’t scare you. How about this giant screaming mofo? That’s right, screaming. Bullet Ants hail from the low land rainforests of Nicaragua and Paraguay. Each ant is about an inch long and lives in a tree colony. When a predator approaches the colony some of these bad boys drop down onto it, letting out a shriek before they do.
While not the deadliest insect, the Bullet Ant’s sting is said to be the most painful in the world, according to the Schmidt Sting Pain Index. The insect’s sting causes waves of burning, throbbing, mind-blowing, pain that doesn’t stop for 24 hours. It hurts so much it feels like you’ve been shot with a bullet (Get it? Bullet Ant?)

Some South American societies use the Bullet Ant to test the manhood of young boys, making them endure 20 stings without crying out before they can be considered men. Some white people think that sounds cool and decide to do it just for kicks.

African Assassin Bug

This brightly-coloured bug is said to have venom 10 times more potent than a cobra, which it can either spit at or inject into its prey. One bug won’t kill a human, but get bit by enough and you’ll be in trouble.

The Assassin Bug’s venom, rather than paralyzing its prey, will liquefy their insides. It uses its proboscis to suck the liquid insides from its prey or to bite unsuspecting human beings. The Assassin hunts by covering itself with the dead bodies of past meals. When an unsuspecting insect wanders by and thinks one of the empty bug husks looks tasty, the Assassin Bug dumps the decoys and pounces.

Some brave—or crazy—humans have taken to keeping these bugs as pets because they can control most pest problems very efficiently. Other people keep them as pets so they can videotape them hunting, set it to whimsical music and post it all on YouTube.

Kissing bugs

These bugs aren’t really deadly because of their venom or because they’re particularly fearsome. Kissing bugs are dangerous because they infect human beings with Chaga’s disease. These insects don’t die after biting so it’s possible for them to bite multiple humans and pass the Chaga’s parasite along.  The bugs hide inside houses and drops down onto people while they’re sleeping, biting the soft tissue of the lips and eyes. Chaga’s disease, however, is actually passed to a new host through the bug’s feces that enter the human body through the wounds it inflicts.

As of 2008, 16 to 18 million people were infected with the disease, with 20,000 dying of the affliction yearly. Chaga’s causes sever heart damage. Heart transplants for victims are ineffective because the parasite just ruins the new heart as well.

Mosquito

Okay, so we’ve all seen Mosquitoes before and they’re not particularly terrifying. But their kill rate certainly should scare you. These blood suckers kill more people than all of the flying menaces and deadly spiders combined. Mosquitoes pass along diseases like yellow fever, denegue fever, Chikungunya, West Nile virus and the ever popular malaria. It’s estimated that in Africa alone mosquitos are responsible for infecting 700 million people with disease, killing 2 million in their infectious wake.

via 10 Most Terrifying and Dangerous Insects.

It is really hard to tell which animal is the most poisonous in the world. The one that has the most toxic chemicals? The one that kills the biggest amount of people a year? Or maybe the one with the biggest amount of poison?

First of all, I have to admit that the title is a bit incorrect, because there is a difference between poisonous and venomous animals. A poisonous animal carries harmful chemicals called toxins primarily used for self defense. Therefore venomous animals deliver their toxins by stinging, stabbing, or biting. So poisonous animals are passive killers, while venomous animals are active killers.

Nevertheless, theory aside, they are all really dangerous. So look really closely at each photo, cause next time you meet them can be the last thing you ever see.

1. Box Jellyfish

The top prize for “The World Most Venomous Animal,” would go to the Box Jellyfish. It has caused at least 5,567 recorded deaths since 1954. Their venom is among the most deadly in the world. It’s toxins attack the heart, nervous system, and skin cells. And the worst part of it is that jelly box venom is so overpoweringly painful, that human victims go in shock, drown or die of heart failure before even reaching shore. Survivors experience pain weeks after the contact with box jellies.

You have virtually no chance to survive the venomous sting, unless treated immediately. After a sting, vinegar should be applied for a minimum of 30 seconds. Vinegar has acetic acid, which disables the box jelly’s nematocysts that have not yet discharged into the bloodstream (though it will not alleviate the pain). Wearing panty hose while swimming is also a good prevention measure since it can prevent jellies from being able to harm your legs.

Jelly box can be found in the waters around Asia and Australia.

2. King Cobra

The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the world’s longest venomous snake – growing up to 5.6 m (18.5 ft) in length. Ophiophagus, literally means “snake-eater” as it eats other snakes. One single bite of this deadly snake can easily kill a human. This snake is even capable of killing a full-grown Asian Elephant within 3 hours if the larger animal is bitten in a vulnerable area such as the trunk.

It’s venom is not as toxic as other venomous snakes, but King Cobra is capable of injecting 5 times more venom than black mamba and can result in mortality up to 5 times faster than that of the black mamba. It is quite widespread, ranging across South and South-east Asia, living in dense highland forests.

3. Marbled Cone Snail

This little beautiful looking Marbled Cone snail can be as deadly as any other animal on this list. One drop of its venom is so powerful that it can kill more than 20 humans. If you ever happen to be in warm salt water environment (where these snails are often found) and see it, don’t even think of picking it up. Of course, the true purpose of its venom is to catch its prey.

Symptoms of a cone snail sting can start immediately or can be delayed in onset for days. It results in intense pain, swelling, numbness and tingling. Severe cases involve muscle paralysis, vision changes and breathing failure. There is no antivenom. However, only about 30 human deaths have been recorded from cone snail envenomation.

4. Blue-Ringed Octopus

The Blue-Ringed Octopus is very small, only the size of a golf ball, but its venom is so powerful that can kill a human. Actually it carries enough poison to kill 26 adult humans within minutes, and there is no antidote. They are currently recognized as one of the world’s most venomous animals.

Its painless bite may seem harmless, but the deadly neurotoxins begin working immediately resulting in muscular weakness, numbness, followed by a cessation and breathing and ultimately death.

They can be found in tide pools in the Pacific Ocean, from Japan to Australia.

5. Death Stalker Scorpion

Contrarily to the popular belief most of the scorpions are relatively harmless to humans as stings produce only local effects (pain, numbness or swelling). However, the Death Starker Scorpion is highly dangerous species because its venom is a powerful cocktail of neurotoxins which causes an intense and unbearable pain, then fever, followed by coma, convulsions, paralysis and death. Fortunately, while a sting from this scorpion is extremely painful, it would be unlikely to kill a healthy, adult human. Young children, the old, or infirm (with a heart condition) are at the biggest risk.

Death stalker scorpions are spread in North Africa and Middle East.

6. Stonefish

Maybe Stonefish would never win a beauty contest, but it would definitely win the top prize for being “The World Most Venomous Fish”. Its venom causes such a severe pain that the victims of its sting want the affected limb to be amputated. It is described as the worst pain known to man. It is accompanied with possible shock, paralysis, and tissue death. If not given medical attention within a couple of hours It can be fatal to humans.

Stonefish stores its toxins in gruesome-looking spines that are designed to hurt would-be predators.

Stonefish mostly live above the tropic of Capricorn, often found in the shallow tropical marine waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans, ranging from the Red Sea to the Queensland Great Barrier Reef.

7. The Brazilian wandering spider

The Brazilian Wandering Spider (Phoneutria) or banana spider appears in the Guinness Book of World Records 2007 for the most venomous spider and is the spider responsible for most human deaths.

This spider is believed to have the most potent neurotoxic venom of any living spider. Only 0.006mg (0.00000021oz) is sufficient to kill a mouse. They are also so dangerous because of their wandering nature. They often hide during daytime in highly populated areas inside houses, clothes, boots, and cars.

Its venomous bite causes not only intense pain, the venom of the spider can also cause priapism – uncomfortable erections lasting for many hours that lead to impotence.

8. Inland Taipan

The prize for “The World’s Most Venomous Snake” goes to the Inland Taipan of Australia. Just a single bite from this snake contains enough venom to kill 100 human adults or an army of 250,000 mice. Its venom is at least 200 – 400 times more toxic than a common cobra. The Inland Taiwan’s extremely neurotoxic venom can kill an adult human in as little as 45 minutes. Fortunately this snake is very shy and there have been no documented human fatalities (all known bites were treated with antivenin).

9. Poison Dart Frog

If you ever happen to be running through the rain forests somewhere in Central or South America, do not ever pick up beautiful and colorful frogs – it can be the Poison Dart Frog. This frog is probably the most poisonous animal on earth.The 2 inch long (5cm) golden poison dart frog has enough venom to kill 10 adult humans or 20,000 mice. Only 2 micrograms of this lethal toxin (the amount that fits on the head of a pin) is capable of killing a human or other large mammal. They are called “dart frogs” because indigenous Amerindians’ use of their toxic secretions to poison the tips of their blow-darts. Poison dart frogs keep their poison in their skins and will sicken or kill anybody who touches or eats it.

10. Puffer Fish

Puffer Fish are the second most poisonous vertebrate on earth (the first one is golden dart Frog). The meat of some species is a delicacy in both Japan (as fugu) and Korea (as bok-uh) but the problem is that the skin and certain organs of many puffer fish are very poisonous to humans.

This puffy fish produce rapid and violent death..Puffer’s poisoning causes deadening of the tongue and lips, dizziness, vomiting, rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing, and muscle paralysis. Victims die from suffocation as diaphragm muscles are paralyzed. Most of the victims die after four to 24 hours. There is no known antidote, Most deaths from fugu happen when untrained people catch and prepare the fish.

Statistics show that there were 20 to 44 incidents of fugu poisoning per year between 1996 and 2006 in all of Japan and up to six incidents per year led to death. Since Fugu’s poison can cause near instantaneous death, only licensed chefs are allowed to prepare it.

via The World`s Biggests: 10 Most Poisonous Animals in the World.

TAMPA – Growing up in Tampa, Mike Hendershot thought he knew snakes. He's even been bitten by non-poisonous ones a couple of times.

So Sunday night when he and his friends saw a foot and a half long snake under their car, Mike thought it was harmless.

“I've messed with snakes before. I saw this one, it looked like a garden snake to me. I just tried to, I was messing around. I tried to grab it,” he said.

But the snake turned its head, striking him. Its fangs pierced Mike's middle finger on his right hand.'

“It was as if someone hit me with a hammer on the finger. And then a needle. It was just a stinging, numbing pain,” he recalled, from his hospital room at University Community Hospital, in Tampa.

The 22-year-old recent FSU grad said he and his friends went on the internet and saw a picture of the snake. It turned out it was a water moccasin, a highly venomous snake.

Mike's friends rushed him to UCH, where he received 12 vials of anti-venin.

Hospital staff have had a lot of experience in venomous snake bites.

Last year, UCH treated the most poisonous snake bites than any other hospital in the country, with 15.

Jim Maister, a clinical pharmacist with UCH, said this is the season for snakes.

“Yes, it is the season. Summertime. They are cold-blooded animals, so they do need to warm themselves in the sun. It's one of those things, we have to be careful and we have to respect their environment too,” Maister said.

He's particularly worried right now too.

“Because this week, next week, all the kids get out of school. And there are lots of areas that are under construction. Areas that are plowed out or mowed over. These animals need some place to go, so they are going to end up in your garage, under your car,” Maister said.

Maister also says we all need to respect these animal's environment, and Mike Hendershot agrees. He admits it wasn't as easy as he thought to detect the differences between the poisonous snakes and the harmless ones.

“Don't grab them, that's for sure. Just don't even get around them,” Hendershot warned.

via Poisonous snakebite sends man to ER.

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10 Most Poisonous Animals in the World info and 10 Most Poisonous Animals Photo Gallery Pics

It is really hard to tell which animal is the most poisonous in the world. The one that has the most toxic chemicals? The one that kills the biggest amount of people a year? Or maybe the one with the biggest amount of poison?

First of all, I have to admit that the title is a bit incorrect, because there is a difference between poisonous and venomous animals. A poisonous animal carries harmful chemicals called toxins primarily used for self defense. Therefore venomous animals deliver their toxins by stinging, stabbing, or biting. So poisonous animals are passive killers, while venomous animals are active killers.

Nevertheless, theory aside, they are all really dangerous. So look really closely at each photo, cause next time you meet them can be the last thing you ever see.

1. Box Jellyfish : If the yardstick for measuring the deadliest of the worlds mot poisonous creatures is assumed to be the number of deaths that have been caused by them, then the Box Jellyfish definitely tops our list of worlds most poisonous creatures. This creature, which is just about the size of a palm, has reportedly caused deaths to almost 6000 people till date. This number is the highest recorded number in the world. This blue colored jellyfish has one of the most powerful, tantalizing and venomous stings in the world and it is found around the coastlines of South East Asia and Australia.

Box Jellyfish Pictures and Photos

2. King Cobra :

King Cobra

The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the world’s longest venomous snake – growing up to 5.6 m (18.5 ft) in length. Ophiophagus, literally means “snake-eater” as it eats other snakes. One single bite of this deadly snake can easily kill a human. This snake is even capable of killing a full-grown Asian Elephant within 3 hours if the larger animal is bitten in a vulnerable area such as the trunk.

It’s venom is not as toxic as other venomous snakes, but King Cobra is capable of injecting 5 times more venom than black mamba and can result in mortality up to 5 times faster than that of the black mamba. It is quite widespread, ranging across South and South-east Asia, living in dense highland forests.

3. Marbled Cone Snail

Marbled Cone Snail

This little beautiful looking Marbled Cone snail can be as deadly as any other animal on this list. One drop of its venom is so powerful that it can kill more than 20 humans. If you ever happen to be in warm salt water environment (where these snails are often found) and see it, dont even think of picking it up. Of course, the true purpose of its venom is to catch its prey.

Symptoms of a cone snail sting can start immediately or can be delayed in onset for days. It results in intense pain, swelling, numbness and tingling. Severe cases involve muscle paralysis, vision changes and breathing failure. There is no antivenom. However, only about 30 human deaths have been recorded from cone snail envenomation.

4. Blue-Ringed Octopus : The blue ringed Octopus was considered one of the worlds most poisonous sea creatures till some time back, until the Box Jellyfish took over. Nevertheless, this creature is till capable of killing up to 25 humans in one bite. Found in the Pacific pools from Japan to Australia, this creature’s bite is impalpable in most cases, but the venom starts working immediately on the muscles and heart- causing weakness, seizure and death within minutes.

Blue-Ringed Octopus

5. Death Stalker Scorpion :

Death Stalker Scorpion

Contrarily to the popular belief most of the scorpions are relatively harmless to humans as stings produce only local effects (pain, numbness or swelling). However, the Death Starker Scorpion is highly dangerous species because its venom is a powerful cocktail of neurotoxins which causes an intense and unbearable pain, then fever, followed by coma, convulsions, paralysis and death. Fortunately, while a sting from this scorpion is extremely painful, it would be unlikely to kill a healthy, adult human. Young children, the old, or infirm (with a heart condition) are at the biggest risk.

Death stalker scorpions are spread in North Africa and Middle East.
6. Stonefish : The stonefish is the worlds most poisonous fish, and probably the ugliest also. It is often remarked that when a stone fish attack a human being, the pain is so severe that the person wants to amputate the area affected. Its bit may not be lethal and can be treated within hours, but if left untreated for more than 2-3 hours, a bit from the stone fish can result into death for the human beings.

StoneFish

7. The Brazilian wandering spider :
The Brazilian Wandering Spider (Phoneutria) or banana spider appears in the Guinness Book of World Records 2007 for the most venomous spider and is the spider responsible for most human deaths.

This spider is believed to have the most potent neurotoxic venom of any living spider. Only 0.006mg (0.00000021oz) is sufficient to kill a mouse. They are also so dangerous because of their wandering nature. They often hide during daytime in highly populated areas inside houses, clothes, boots, and cars.

Its venomous bite causes not only intense pain, the venom of the spider can also cause priapism – uncomfortable erections lasting for many hours that lead to impotence.
The Brazilian wandering spider

8. Inland Taipan :

Inland Taipan

The inland Taipan is recognized as being the worlds most poisonous snake, having the capability to kill over a hundred human beings within 45 seconds from a single bite. Found in Australia, the Inland Taipan is definitely the one to beware of.

9. Poison Dart Frog :

Poison Dart Frog

Poison Dart Frog
The poison dart frog is another creature you might find cute if you found it in the wild but just touching this little guy can put you in harms way. Native to South and Central America, the frog got its name because indigenous tribes used to use the poison as an addition to their blow darts.

10. Puffer Fish : The puffer fish is a delicacy in many part of Japan and China, but some organs of the fish are deadly to the human beings- making it one of the worlds most poisonous and lethal animals. The poison of the fish is devastating for the one who consumes it and results in deadening of the muscles, increasing of the heart rate, dizziness, vomiting and permanent seizure within minutes of consuming the deadly poison.

The Puffer Fish

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Brown Widows in SoCal

Brown Widows in SoCal

Related links

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Poisonous Brown Widows Invading SoCal Poisonous Brown Widows Invading SoCal Video

SAN DIEGO — A new breed of poisonous spider is invading Southern California.

Originally from South Africa, the brown widow spiders were first spotted in San Diego in 2004.

Experts say they have multiplied by the thousands and have been found throughout the Southern California area as far north as Carlsbad and as far south as Imperial Beach. However, residents in Monrovia and Azusa say they are also finding the spiders on their properties.

The brown widow’s venom is more potent than the venom of its cousin, the black widow, and one bite can send a person to the hospital.

The spiders also multiply quickly, with eggs hatching in 20 days.

One egg could contain 35 spiders.

San Diego County’s bug experts say they are now seeing brown widows inland instead of just in ocean communities.

For more information on brown widow spiders: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_widow_spider

Calif. Poison Control Center: http://www.calpoison.org/public/spiders.html

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Eight legs bad — killer spiders find their way to Ireland

Deadly arachnids are being brought into the country in fruit, plants and other goods

Deadly black widows have arrived in goods from America

Jan Battles

Irish college graduates are heading abroad in their thousands but it’s not all one-way traffic. Potentially deadly spiders are finding their way to Ireland in plants, fruit and machinery.

Doctors at the Mater hospital in Dublin have just reported the case of a 21-year-old woman who was admitted to A&E twice in 2007 after a suspected spider bite. They believe she was bitten on the wrist by a venomous spider that had hitched a ride from Australia in the luggage of a visitor.

The doctors who treated the woman have published the case report to alert other healthcare workers to the symptoms caused by bites from venomous spiders.

Fergal Cummins, a consultant in emergency medicine, said: “We are very keen to highlight things as soon as they become obvious in case a trend develops. Those of use who had seen [spider bites] before [in Australia] were pretty convinced immediately.”

Venomous spiders are making their way to Ireland mainly in plants and fruit, particularly bunches of grapes. Black widow spiders, whose bite can be lethal, have come into Ireland on fruit imported from America. Other poisonous spiders have hitched lifts on machinery.

Last year a hunstman spider, which looks like a flattened tarantula and can leap several feet in the air, stowed a ride on a rally car imported from the Australian outback into Northern Ireland.

The woman treated at the Mater was an Australian living and working in Ireland. She had visitors from her homeland staying with her, and shortly after their arrival, she was sitting on the ground near their luggage when she felt a searing pain on her right wrist. Doctors believe it was an Australian white-tailed spider but cannot say definitively because it wasn’t caught.

Six weeks later she was admitted to A&E again with flu-like symptoms. Danielle Ni Chroinin, another doctor who was working in A&E in the Mater, said: “Her wrist and arm were quite sore and she had difficulty moving the hand, and it had tingling in it.”

Cummins said: “We want people to be aware that with global migration, people visiting from overseas might be smuggling things in their luggage.”

Archie Murchie of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute in Belfast, said: “With increased trade in general, we are getting a lot of produce

coming in from abroad, and it is coming in quicker and more refrigerated so it is likely there will be more invasive species coming in. They are surprisingly hardy. If they are in a chilled environment they will survive longer.

“For every species that is introduced accidentally there is only about one in a thousand that will become a problem.”

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Scorpions to Snakes; Bites and Stings That Hurt the Most

New Scorpion Anti-Venom Shows Promise; Other Stings and Bites Show Nature’s Painful Side

By LAUREN CAHOON
ABC News Medical Unit

May 14, 2009—

 

Certain members of the animal kingdom have a talent for torture, as those of us who have been unlucky enough to experience it can attest.

The perpetrators of burning bites and painful stings are often minuscule. Take, for example, the bark scorpion. Usually measuring in at one to three inches in length, it is a critter that still packs a venomous sting. In children, the poison from a single sting can lead to irregular eye movements, involuntary thrashing of limbs, breathing difficulties and other symptoms.

Its sting made headlines today with the release of a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine suggesting that an experimental anti-venom medication used in Mexico but not approved for use in the United States appears effective in helping children recover quickly.

Researchers at the University of Arizona looked at a total of 15 young children in the small study, all of whom were receiving treatment at a Tucson pediatric intensive-care unit after having been stung by a bark scorpion, which is common to the southwest United States. What they found was that the eight children who received the drug had their symptoms disappear within two hours. The seven children who did not receive the drug, however, suffered for more than four hours and needed sedation and hospitalization before recovering fully.

“This study told us that the dangerous effects of bark scorpion venom can be reversed quickly with the right anti-venom,” Dr. Leslie Boyer, principal investigator of the study and director of the Venom Immunochemistry, Pharmacology and Emergency Response Institute at The University of Arizona College of Medicine, said in a news release issued by the university. “One-hundred percent of the children who received it got better very quickly, meaning that using this anti-venom in the emergency room will make intensive care treatment unnecessary for most patients.”

Of course, not all bites and stings can be ameliorated with a well-timed dose of anti-venom, and some are even deadly. On the following pages are 10 more of the most excruciating stings and bites nature has to offer. Some are potentially fatal, some are not. All are absolutely worth avoiding.

 

Bullet Ant

These inch-long insects are named after their sting; the pain is likened to being shot. Most scientists claim the creature has the most excruciating sting of all insects.

“I have had some of the most painful experiences I’ve ever had from bullet ant stings,” said Randy Morgan, curator of invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians at the Cincinnati Zoo. “For two or three hours, it felt like people had just hauled off and whacked me with a baseball bat. It’s a deep, aching pain.”

The bullet ant sting scores highest on the Schmidt Sting Pain Index, a rating created by entomologist Justin Schmidt, director of the Southwestern Biological Institute, which compares the ouch factors of different insects.

How does he know how much these insects’ stings hurt? He’s willingly endured each of them himself.

Schmidt’s rating gives a poetic description of the bullet ant’s sting: “Pure, intense, brilliant pain. Like fire-walking over flaming charcoal with a three-inch rusty nail in your heel.”

An indigenous tribe in the South America (the bullet ant’s home territory) requires their young men to pass a harrowing trial with bullet ants  the boys must wear special mitts that have been lined with hundreds of the angry insects. Not only must the youths endure the stinging treatment for 10 minutes at a time, they must repeat the process 20 times over again.

Luckily for them, as painful as the sting is, it does no permanent damage.

 

Box Jellyfish

These diaphanous sea creatures are the bane of tropical beaches. Considered to be one of the more dangerous critters in the animal kingdom, their tentacles contain extremely powerful venom that can kill humans.

Along with the poison comes extraordinary, burning pain. The creature’s tentacles discharge tiny needles into the victim’s skin; each needle contains a cocktail of pain-inducing ingredients that make it “the most painful sting. There is no question about it,” according to Dr. Joseph Burnett, past chairman of dermatology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. “The bullet ant is nothing compared to this.”

What makes the animal so painfully effective are the 10-foot-long, stinging tentacles. Unfortunate swimmers can become draped and entangled in these drifting strands, and the intense doses of venom can induce shock and eventual drowning.

While it may seem like nothing but an instrument of torture, “the box jelly didn’t develop its horrible toxic venom just to torture people at the beach,” said Don Boyer, curator of reptiles and amphibians at the San Diego Zoo. The jellyfish requires its powerful poison to catch and eat its preferred prey, shrimp. Since a struggling shrimp can easily damage the delicate creature, the jellies need to kill their meal as quickly as possible.

 

Rattlesnakes and Their Relations

If there’s a family of snakes you don’t want to anger, it would be the vipers.

While these snakes don’t always have the most deadly bites, they have the most painful ones.

Van Wallach of the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology has had several viper bites; the worst one, he said, “came from an African bush viper. It felt like somebody had a blowtorch and was burning you inside your arm. & It went on for three straight days before I had any relief.”

Kelly Zamudio, a biologist at Cornell University, described a similar sensation when she was bitten by another member of the viper family  the rattlesnake.

“It feels like burning, like you’re being branded, but the brand never lifts,” she said.

The key to the excruciating pain of the viper’s bite is its tissue-destroying venom, which dissolves cell walls and causes internal bleeding. As the venom works its way through the body, so does the pain.

Vipers’ tissue-eating venom isn’t designed to hurt humans, but rather, to get a jump on digesting their food. When the snake strikes a rodent, bird or another type of prey, the toxins work quickly to help breaking down the tissue and get the meal ready for eating.

 

Stingrays

Although these animals gained a bad rep after the tragic Steve Irwin incident, stingrays are not aggressive or (usually) lethal animals. However, they have a sting, and on the rare occasion they choose to use it, “it’s very excruciating,” said Edward DeMartini, a research biologist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries.

When these gentle animals are stepped on or threatened, they will strike out with a sharp, serrated barb  about the thickness of a golf pencil  located at the base of the tail.

“The physical wound can be pretty intense,” said Jon Hoech, director of husbandry operations at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. “It’s extremely painful, like getting punctured with an eight-penny nail. Also, it’s like a cat scratch, it can carry a lot of bacteria.”

On top of the sizeable puncture wound comes a dose of toxins that cause instantaneous pain.

Stingrays only use their venomous barbs as a defense, not for hunting or attacking. As many marine biologists, scuba divers and snorkelers know, the animals are the ocean’s pussycats.

“I work with rays on a regular basis,” said Hoech. “I swim with them, I feed them by hand, and they’re very benign.” Just be sure to look where you step.

 

Scorpions

There are thousands of scorpion species, all of them equipped with stings. Many species’ stings aren’t much worse than a bee or hornet; but a select few can be a serious source of suffering.

“There are scorpions in the Old World that have extremely painful stings,” said Don Boyer. “It gets worse and worse and worse.”

These types of scorpions  found in Africa and Asia  can be dangerous as well as painful. However, in the Southwestern United States, the Arizona Bark Scorpion doesn’t pose much of a threat to healthy adults. It just means extreme pain.

“If you’re an adult and you get the poison in your finger, it just stays, and fires your pain nerve,” said Dr. Leslie Boyer  no relation to Don Boyer. “It locks the nerve in the on position.”

Leslie Boyer, who is medical director of the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center, said that the tiny sting will “send shooting sensations up your arm.” If you’re clumsy enough to tap or bump that finger on anything, the pain instantly amplifies.

“You just give it a tap and you’re screaming in pain,” said Leslie Boyer. “Just that one little spot hurts like heck, it radiates up to your arm pit with this throbbing pain  but there’s nothing to see.”

Boyer says that since her practice sees so many painful stings and bites, “I tend to give out morphine like it’s candy.”

 

Spitting Cobra

While this reptile has a poisonous bite, it doesn’t actually induce much pain. Sure, it stops you from breathing, but for the venom to really make you scream, it needs to get into your eyes.

Spitting cobras have perfected the art of defense by shooting venom into an attacker’s eyes, which creates a blinding, burning pain. Like many other pain-inducing animals, the reason for the agony is to keep attackers away, rather than to stage an offensive.

Van Wallach was unfortunate enough to get the spitting treatment from a cobra in the Philippines.

“It is excruciating,” he said. “The only way I could relieve it was to pour milk into my eye about every 15 minutes. I was blind for about four to six hours.”

The cobra’s venom contains a mix of nerve poisons, tissue-destroying chemicals and other nasty compounds designed to elicit severe stinging. In worst case scenarios, it can lead to permanent blindness.

Should you ever encounter a spitting cobra  which is unlikely as they are fairly rare  make sure to keep a good 10-foot distance away from it. Their venom can shoot about four to eight feet.

 

Tarantula Hawk Wasp

This colorful, solitary wasp uses its stinging power to paralyze large tarantulas as food for its young. While the insect is not aggressive and rarely stings humans  “you really have to force them to sting you,” said Leslie Boyer  the experience is fabled to be one of the top most painful stings out there.

According to sting expert Schmidt, the tarantula hawk rates just below the agonizing bullet ant.

“When that one when it hits you, it almost feels like you’ve been hit by a lightning bolt,” said Schmidt. “You’ll be screaming and writhing in agony. & It feels like every gland in your body is purged of all its hormones, you’ll feel absolutely drained from the experience.”

Unlike other animals on this Top 10 list, the tarantula hawk’s venom is not for defense, but for paralyzing its much larger prey, tarantulas. The mother wasp lays a single egg on the comatose spider, dooming it to a horrific death. The egg hatches into a hungry larva, which then literally eats the tarantula alive, using it as a food source as it grows.

 

Stonefish

In terms of a perfect combo of pain and lethality, the homely stonefish’s sting may take first prize.

The stonefish, found in the rocky, shallow waters of tropical oceans, has several extremely sharp spines along its back. Hapless waders can easily mistake the well-camouflaged fish for a rock or hunk of coral  and if they step on the animal, the spines will puncture the skin and inject a complex and deadly venom.

The pain from the sting is described as instant and intense. One victim described the experience on an online aquarium enthusiasts’ forum:

“I got spiked on the finger by a stonefish in Australia & never mind a bee sting. & Imagine having each knuckle, then the wrist, elbow and shoulder being hit in turn with a sledgehammer over the course of about an hour. Then about an hour later imagine taking a real kicking to both kidneys for about 45 minutes so that you couldn’t stand or straighten up. I was late 20s, pretty fit physically and this was the tiniest of nicks. Got sensation back in my finger after a few days but had recurrent kidney pains periodically for several years afterwards.”

Other stories describe sting victims wanting to have their stung limb amputated from their body.

Hoech of the Monterey Bay Aquarium has worked closely with the stonefish, and he agreed that the animal “is definitely at the top of the list” of the most pain-producing creatures.

 

Black Widow Spider

“I never want a bad black widow bite,” said Leslie Boyer, referring to the poisonous spider found all over the southern United States.

Although 95 percent of the spiders’ bites are trivial, if you’re unlucky enough to get nipped by a large, healthy black widow where your skin is thin, the experience can be excruciating.

Leslie Boyer described the time when a rural doctor called her up about an athletic 20-something man who had been bitten.

“The patient had looked at him and said ‘It hurts too much to breathe,’ and then he just stopped,” she said. “To be awake enough to say that, and then willingly stop breathing  that’s got to be intense pain.”

The black widow bite doesn’t hurt initially, as the fangs are small. But an hour and a half later, the venom, which contains a toxic ingredient that interacts with the body’s muscles, causes extreme cramping throughout the body.

“Imagine every muscle in a spasm at the same time, and they won’t relax for days,” said Leslie Boyer.

But people shouldn’t revile the black widow, she stressed. “I have them on my porch and in my house,” she said. “They never leave their webs, you always know where they are  they’re better than a bug zapper.”

 

Gila Monster

This slow-moving lizard from the Southwest United States packs a surprisingly painful bite.

Cecil Schwalbe, ecologist with the U.S. geological survey, was bit by a Gila monster while handling one in an outreach demonstration in front of 200 people. He lists it as the most painful bite in his experience.

“My finger was on fire, the wave of fire moved slowly up my body,” Schwalbe said. Within five minutes I turned pasty green and went into shock. & I had pain in my kidneys, blood in my urine. & All of my sphincters in my body were trying to relax. It was on my finger for two minutes and it bit me five times  every bite went right to the bone.”

The reasons for the pain are twofold. First, the Gila monster has very sharp teeth, each about a quarter of an inch long. When the animal bites, it chomps down hard  and doesn’t let go. Stories are told of bite victims rushing to the hospital with the lizard still attached.

Second, Gila monsters are equipped with specialized venom, full of compounds that break down collagen and vein membranes, a cocktail that is “built to cause inflammation, and just cause pain  it’s all about pain,” said Beck. On top of the pain, the venom’s chemicals cause sweating, diarrhea, vomiting and a drop in blood pressure.

The goal of all this misery is to make predators and enemies stay away. The slow-moving Gila monster can become easy prey, and it relies on its knack for a nasty bite to defend itself.

While the Gila monster’s venom might have caused misery in a few people, it has ended up helping many others; it’s now the source of a new drug, called Byetta, which treats type Type II Diabetes. Researchers believe that this drug is just scratching the surface of the potential that venomous species have  each creature in this list produces complex, potentially lifesaving compounds.

Something to keep in mind next time you curse the existence of that pesky bee or sneaky snake.

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How to handle a rattlesnake bite

May 6, 7:49 AM

Rattlesnakes are plentiful along the Front Range. Make sure you know what to do if one happens to get the best of you.  Photo: Colorado Division of Wildlife

Most anyone that has ever been outside for much time has had the thought: What do I do if I get bit by a rattlesnake? One scenario flashes in the mind. It is a scene straight out of any western movie or adventure film: kill the snake, get something tightly wrapped around the arm or leg, just above the bite, cut open the wound with a knife and suck out the poison, making sure to spit and not swallow.

That is not exactly the best way to handle a snake bite. M Cerato and W.F. Andelt, both with the Colorado State University Extension, propose a simpler and safer alternative. They say that “the most useful snakebite first aid kit is car keys and coins for calling the hospital.” In other words, seek medical attention quickly.

Here are more guidlines from Cerato and Andelt:

1. Remain calm so as not to increase circulation and thus the spread of the venom.
2. Immediately remove anything from the body that may cause increased swelling below the bite area (i.e., rings, watch, shoes, tight clothing, etc.)
3. If possible, wash the wound with soap and water. If available, a Sawyer Extractor Pump may be used to remove some of the venom. Be familiar with the procedure and instructions before you need to use it. 
4. Immobilize the bite area, keeping it in a neutral to below the heart position.
5. Get to the hospital immediately. Do not wait for the pain to get severe. The use of approved antivenom is the most effective treatment for envenomation. If possible, have another person drive, and call ahead to the hospital and the poison center.

And here’s what not to do:

• Do not use a tourniquet.
• Do not make an incision at the bite site.
• Do not suck out the venom with your mouth as this may increase the risk of infection.
• Do not pack the limb in ice.

For more from Cerato and Andelt, read their rattlesnake information page, Coping with snakes.

The plain fact is that hiking around the Front Range for any amount of time in the summer could mean an encounter with a rattlesnake. Knowing what they look like and sound like will go a long ways in preventing a bite. If you do happen to hear a snake, don’t start running. Look around calmly and slowly. When you have spotted the snake, don’t panic. In most cases, and given any chance, the snake will move out. The last thing a snake wants is a confrontation with a human.

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Rattlers emerging from their winter hibernation

By LIZETH CAZARES

Created: 04/29/2009 02:32:37 AM PDT

 

Rattle snakes are becoming common sights this time of year in the Capay Valley. (Coutesy)

It’s rattlesnake season, and veterinarians at the Woodland Veterinary Hospital are already dealing with the consequences. 

Dr. Keith Robe said in the past couple of weeks, the hospital has taken care of two dogs from Capay Valley who came in with rattlesnake bites. They have also had reports that a yearling young horse in Winters was bitten in the nose.

 

“Unfortunately, when snakes come to inhabited areas any curious animals are at risk of getting bitten,” said Dr. Ellie Johnson, another veterinarian at the hospital.

 

It’s common to have these types of calls around this time of year, said Robe, and the hospital is obtaining antivenin for the months to come.

 

“We’re stocking up on that in preparation,” Robe said.

 

Last year, the California Poison Control System received 239 calls from people bitten by rattlesnakes throughout California, said executive director Stewart Heard. The CPCS also tends to see a spike of calls in the beginning of the season.

 

“It is an issue, so it’s a good time to remind people,” he said. “They’re in a lot of places, particularly the foothills.”

 

Yolo County Animal Services also gets its fair share of calls concerning rattlesnakes, said Chief Animal Service Officer Vicky Fletcher.

 

So far the department hasn’t received any, but since rattlesnake season starts in April and continues until the cold months officers won’t be surprised if they do.

 

“This is the time of year when rattle snakes start coming out of hibernation,” Fletcher said.

 

She said the warm weather causes female and baby rattlesnakes to come out of the ground. While they tend to stay near rocky areas and bodies of water, sometimes they find their way into trucks and get carried around the area.

 

“We’ve seen them in the city and found them in the darndest places,” she said.

 

Elizabeth Campbell, executive director for the Capay Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, said she hasn’t seen any rattlesnakes on her property yet, but already sees the signs of rattlesnake season.

 

On Tuesday, she said she saw two dead snakes on the side of the County Road 16.

 

“Some people think it’s an infestation,” she said. “But it’s just normal for this time of the year.”

 

There are several things residents can do to protect themselves throughout rattlesnake season.

 

Fletcher advises that if someone sees a rattlesnake to back off.

 

“Leave it alone and bring in your pets,” she said. “Usually, it will go along on its merry way.”

 

People can then call Animal Services or any of the local removal companies found in the yellow pages.

 

Fletcher also reminds the public that if they see one baby rattlesnake they need to be careful since they’re usually found in groups. Baby rattlesnakes tend to be especially dangerous since they so can’t control the amount of venom they release.

 

Dr. Robe advises people who have pets to take extra precautions as well.

 

“First of all, make sure that pets in areas where snake are prevalent are kept on leashes and not let them run off on their own,” he said.

 

There is also a vaccine dogs can receive which will help protect them from dying of rattlesnake bites, but even then he recommends that they are brought in for emergency care.

 

Fletcher just reminds people to be careful during this time of the year, especially if they live in areas where rattlesnakes might be found.

 

“If you live in that kind of terrain you just have to be careful and watch out for them,” she said.

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Use common sense in rattlesnake country

By Terry Knight — Record-Bee outdoors columnist

Updated: 04/28/2009 11:23:29 PM PDT

Along with its many deer, bears, birds and other wildlife, Lake County has an abundance of rattlesnakes and the spring months are when they begin to appear. Rattlesnakes can be found beneath old lumber piles, in barns and sheds, and even in backyards.

According to the Depart-ment of Fish and Game (DFG), rattlesnakes are the only native poisonous snake in Northern California. The most common rattlesnake in Lake County is the Pacific rattlesnake.

Whereas few things can raise the hair on your neck such as the sound of a rattler buzzing, the chances of getting bitten by a rattler are about the same as winning the lottery.

If you spend anytime hiking in the woods, sooner or later you’re going to come face to face with one of these critters. This is especially true for fishermen and hikers. Of all the years I have spent hiking and hunting in the woods of Lake County, I have encountered dozens of rattlesnakes but never have I been threatened by one. A few have buzzed at me but most have just crawled away.

They are secretive animals and would rather hide than fight. Actually, just about every outdoor person at one time or another has passed within a few feet of a rattler and not known it. Most of the time they just silently slither away unseen when approached by humans.

The rattlesnake is preyed upon by many predators in the wild despite its venomous bite. A coyote or a bobcat will never pass up the chance to make a meal of a rattlesnake. Hawks and crows can easily kill a rattler.While rattlesnakes do carry enough venom to kill an adult, deaths are rare. In fact, of the approximately 800 recorded rattlesnake bites in California every year, only one or two victims die. About 25 percent of the bites are “dry,” meaning no venom is injected. However, because of the bacteria in the snake’s mouth any bite requires medical attention.

The type of venom in a rattlesnake breaks down the tissue around the bite. When a rattlesnake bites its prey this action of breaking down the tissue hastens the digestive process and allows the snake to swallow its prey. If a human is bitten there is often a loss of tissue around the bite.

A rattlesnake’s fangs also contain bacteria and the venom suppresses the victim’s immune system, making it harder to fight this infection. While this rarely causes death it can result in the loss of a limb.

While the odds of getting bitten by a rattlesnake are low, there are certain precautions one must take when in rattlesnake country. More than 50 percent of all rattlesnake bites occur on the hands or arms. Normally a person will place his hand on a rock while climbing or picking up something. A nearby rattler will strike out in surprise.

Children are five times more likely to be bitten than adults. Most of the children are bitten because they often go barefoot or will actually pick up a rattlesnake out of curiosity.

Rattlesnakes are often found near old buildings or lumber piles. They also like rock piles. Like all wildlife, they are drawn to an area because of food, usually mice. By avoiding these areas you can reduce your chances of coming in contact with a rattlesnake.

What do you do if bitten by a rattlesnake? According to the DFG, the first thing to do if bitten is to stay calm. Generally the most serious effect of a rattlesnake bite to an adult is local tissue damage that needs to be treated. Children, because they are smaller, are in more danger if they are bitten. Get to a doctor as soon as possible, but stay calm. Frenetic, high-speed driving places the victim at greater risk of an accident and increased heart rate. If the doctor is more than 30 minutes away, keep the bite below the heart and try to get to the doctor as quickly as possible.

Wash the bite area gently with soap and water. Remove watches, rings and other jewelry that may constrict swelling. Immobilize the affected area. Transport safely to the nearest medical facility. All of the local hospitals are equipped to handle rattlesnake bites.

According to DFG regulations, the daily limit for taking rattlesnakes is two. No license is required and they can be taken by any method.

Most biologists say not to indiscriminately kill a rattlesnake. They eat gophers, moles and other pests and are a big part of our ecosystem. If they don’t bother you, don’t bother them. After all, they were here millions of years before us and will probably be here long after we’re gone.

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Fatal snakebites rare but still require emergency first-aid

29 April, 2009 06:45:00Keith Murray

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I receive a lot of questions about snakebites while conducting training classes onboard yachts, so this month I would like to start by telling you what not to do.

Do not cut or suck on the wound. In addition to the obvious risk factors to the rescuer, you can damage skin and organs, increase the risk of infection, and it will not remove venom.

Do not use ice. Ice has no effect on venom.

Do not use alcohol. Alcohol will not help and may increase venom absorption.

Do not use a tourniquet. They do not stop venom and may cause the victim to lose a limb.

There are more than 3,000 species of snakes worldwide; about 500 species are venomous. About 5 million snakebites occur worldwide each year, causing about 125,000 deaths.

Venom is basically a modified form of saliva. It immobilizes prey so a snake can eat. It acts quickly, affecting the central nervous system, lungs and heart.

If you are bitten by a poisonous snake or lizard, seek emergency medical care immediately. Don’t wait until you experience symptoms.

Never try to kill or capture the reptile just to identify it. Further exposure risks an additional bite. A snake has the ability to bite and release venom by reflex for up to 90 minutes after it is dead. Get as much information about the reptile as possible. If you can safely take a picture, this may help.

Antivenin may not be readily available at every medical facility. Call ahead to find the best place to be treated for the specific bite.

In North America, we have several snakes and lizards that are poisonous: pit vipers, which include rattlesnakes, copperheads and water moccasins/cotton mouths; coral snakes; the Gila monster; and the Mexican bearded lizard. In Maine, Alaska and Hawaii, there are no native poisonous snakes.

Symptoms from snakebites may appear within minutes or take hours. Symptoms may include severe burning or pain where bitten, swelling that starts at the bite and spreads, and possible bleeding from the wound as well as blistering, fever, nervous system disruption, numbness, convulsions, excessive sweating, diarrhea, vision problems, increased thirst, nausea and vomiting, rapid pulse, difficulty speaking, and difficulty breathing and/or cessation of breathing.

Sea snakes and some Australian snakes can cause muscle death in multiple areas of the body. These dead muscle cells can clog the kidneys, which can lead to kidney failure.

Use caution when dealing with snakebites. A victim may have no initial significant symptoms, and then suddenly develop breathing difficulty and go into shock.

If you do not develop any symptoms after 10-12 hours, it is possible that you were either bitten by a non-venomous snake or no venom was injected. This type of dry bite occurs in approximately 25 percent to 50 percent of all bites.

Of those bites where venom was injected into the body, only about 10 percent are severe. But even if you do not develop symptoms after 10 hours, still seek medical attention and continue to look for symptoms for the next several weeks.

Snakebite victims should seek medical care unless the snake is positively identified as non-venomous. If you are not certain the snake is non-venomous seek medical attention.

A victim who is young, old or has health problems is generally at greater risk than a healthy adult. Factors that affect the severity of a poisonous snake or lizard bite include type and size of the reptile, as well as the quantity of the venom injected, the potency of the venom, the location and depth of the bite, and the number of bites.

Bites by non-venomous species require good wound care. Wash the bite with lots of soap and water and carefully inspect the wound for broken fangs, dirt or debris. Victims that have not had a tetanus booster within the past five years should get one.

Remove any constricting items, such as rings, wrist watches or other jewelry that could reduce blood flow if the bite area swells. Immobilize the bitten area and keep it lower than the heart. Cover the area with a clean, cool bandage to minimize swelling, and monitor vital signs. If any changes occur, immediately call or radio for help.

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Kind of nerve-wracking to know that snakes can easily infiltrate your house. How’d you like to find a rattler in your bedroom?

How To Safely Remove A Snake From Your Home

Snakes can find their way into your home with the greatest of ease, and in particular if you live in an area where they frequently hang out. Farm houses in particular are common homes that get invaded by snakes, and any home that has rodents is also a possible target. Removing a snake from your home is rather easy in most cases, but you need to know some things first. Here is how to remove a snake from your home safely and easily:

 

The first thing you need to do is to learn your snakes. In any given region of theUnited States, there are only going to be a handful of truly dangerous snakes. There are only four types of venomous snakes in the US, and each group has a few subspecies. They are the copperhead, cottonmouth, coral snake, and rattlesnake. There are a number of different types of rattlesnakes in the US, but usually only a couple of types in any specific location. Know the types of venomous snakes in your area. This can be found rather easily with some research, or through a visit to a local environmental center.

Once you are aware of the types of dangerous snakes in your area, educate yourself about them. Learn the various shades and colors they can be, what they look like, what the babies look like, and the general locations that they like to hang out in. The bottom line is that you need to know how to recognize a venomous snake when you see one. When in doubt, or when you encounter a venomous snake in your home, contact a snake removal expert right away. Often, if there is one, there can be more. You will need them to safely remove the snake, and then to search the home to make sure they are alone.

Assuming that you have a known harmless species of snake in your home such as a corn snake or garter snake, removing it is not that difficult if you are careful. The easiest method is to block off the snakes escape routes, and to then open the door and offer an exit. A snake is not wanting to encounter you in the least, and will take the chance to escape. Given this, you want to lead the snake out of the house with a broom or other long implement. If you leave the snake an opening to crawl under something else, they will. Fill in cracks under the stove, and any other low to the ground appliances as snakes will head there right off.

The method above is great if the snake is in a place that is nearby a door or window that you can open. If not, then you might have to get hands on. Please know that even a harmless snake will bite, and they do have teeth. Because they eat rodents, and other nasty creatures, there is always the chance of infection. With that said, take every precaution to not get bitten. If you are bitten, have the wound checked by a doctor just to be safe. Also, if you have any doubts whatsoever that the snake may be venomous, then leave it alone and call for help.

Picking up a snake is a task that is much better left to the pros, but sometimes it is the only way to get that pesky garter snake out. Ideally, you would want to put something long behind the snake’s head to pin it to the ground so that you can then grab it behind the head but up close to the back of the jawline. This method is not easy, and you have to take great care not to harm the snake. Also, many snakes will seem as though they are trapped and then suddenly slip out and bite so be careful if you try this method.

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Rattlesnakes in Los Angeles: What to do?

This past weekend at an Earth Day cleanup in the Valley, a few teenage boys came upon a rattlesnake while picking up trash. Unfortunately, the overzealous teens killed it, something you’re not supposed to do (as the San Diego Zoo says, “these beautiful animals are important to the environment because they control rodent populations.”)

“Of the 14 snakes found in the Santa Monica Mountains, only one, the southern Pacific rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis), is venomous,” the National Park Service says on their reptile database for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (and for what it’s worth, the sometimes different looking Northern Pacific Rattlesnake has made home in some parts of SoCal as well, Wikipedia writers say).

So what should you really do if you encounter one of these venomous reptiles? The San Diego Zoo gives the low-down on how both snakes defend themselves and how we should, too:

Snake self-defense We’re afraid of being bitten, but remember that snakes bite to defend themselves. If frightened, they will first try to escape or hide, so be sure to stay out of their way. Different species will react in different ways: some remain still, depending on their cryptic coloration for camouflage, while others just glide away silently. If this isn’t an option, then they will hiss, rattle their tail, and puff up their body to warn off an enemy. Most snakes will give a warning before they bite, although they may strike quickly if they are startled during shedding, mating, or giving birth. When out walking in heavy brush or rocky areas, watch where you step or put your hands!Human self-defense
Always be alert when out hiking and move away if you see a rattlesnake. Never try to kill a snake: many bites occur when attempting to kill a snake. Snakes should never be killed just because you encounter them on a walk. But if you are bitten by a venomous snake, you must go immediately to a hospital as quickly as possible. Never try “home remedies” (none are effective) and do not ignore the bite. While few snakebites are fatal to people, venomous snakebites should never be left untreated.

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I would be pretty terrified to see an 8 foot long rattlesnake. I can’t really even fathom what that would look like. Think of the striking range that snake would have!

A diamondback in the rough

At last, a naturalist finds his Holy Grail: A rare rattler in remote Florida park

The eastern diamondback rattler struggles to stay alive as a species, no thanks to humans.John Serrao

April 26, 2009 6:00 AM

I don’t know what it was that suddenly brought my eyes to ground level after an hour of scanning the branches of the pines and oaks for birds along a remote trail in Florida’s vast Appalachicola National Forest. Was it the sunlight reflected off the glossy, yellowish skin? Or the wide, heavy shape stretched straight out among the thin, curving fallen branches that littered the ground? Or — most likely — the regular pattern of big, dark diamonds that extended four feet in a straight line just a few feet from my and my wife, Felicia’s, feet.

Even though I’d never seen one before, I immediately knew what the animal was, and after a glance of just a fraction of a second, I repeated three or four times in an excited but hushed voice to Felicia: “Diamondback rattlesnake!”

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake has been my “Holy Grail” — the number one item on my “bucket list” — for more than 30 years. Quite simply, it’s the biggest, most dangerous snake in the United States. A handful of snakes, including the indigo snake and our own black rat snake, may slightly exceed the diamondback’s maximum recorded length of eight feet, but none can match its sheer bulk and weight, nor the immense size of its head. I’ve seen timber rattlesnakes in the Poconos that measure 4½ feet long and 8 inches in circumference, and I can’t possible imagine an eastern diamondback rattlesnake almost twice that size.

What an impressive creature to encounter in the pine forests of Florida, Georgia or the Carolinas! But, despite countless visits to the wilderness areas of these southern states over the past three decades, including places highly recommended by other naturalists, foresters and park rangers, I’ve never seen one — until March 24, 2009, a date I’ll never forget.

After my initial shock at the sight of such a big snake just a few feet off the trail, I quickly assessed the situation. It appeared very calm and remained completely motionless, stretched out lengthwise in the sunlight. Its beautiful, yellowish-tan skin was shiny and almost iridescent, indicating that it had very recently shed it skin.

The conditions for photographing it could not have been better, and, since no people were in the forest except for Felicia and me, I could take my time and just enjoy this amazing, once-in-a-lifetime (I hope not) experience. I photographed it from every angle for at least 15 minutes, and it remained motionless.

Then, before we moved on, in order to prevent it from being detected by anyone who might harm it, I gently tapped it with a branch. This caused the rattlesnake to slowly withdraw beneath the cover of a shrub, where it coiled up to face me and began to rattle, warning me not to come any closer. It seemed both fearless and non-aggressive at the same time — an animal completely secure with its own status at the top of the food chain, with no natural enemies except humans.

Unfortunately, humans have taken a terrible toll over the years on populations of eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, just as they have with timber rattlesnakes in the northeastern states and various species of western rattlesnakes. Unbelievably, unlike our own timber rattler, the eastern diamondback enjoys no laws to protect it — no restrictions against killing, collecting, habitat destruction or the insanity of “rattlesnake roundups,” a community snake-hunting tradition started long ago by ranchers who thought rattlesnake populations were too high.

Dr. Bruce Means, the expert on this species, conducts research in the Florida Panhandle and has written extensively on its biology and population declines. I read his excellent book, “Stalking the Plumed Serpent” (Pineapple Press, Sarasota, 2008), this past winter and became even more obsessed with finally seeing an eastern diamondback in the wild after vicariously experiencing his adventures with this magnificent reptile (the first chapter, which relates a nearly fatal bite and his struggle to crawl back to civilization, is sure to raise the hairs on the back of anyone’s neck). However, Dr. Means, in a letter written to me in February, sadly informed me that the eastern diamondback rattlesnake now survives in good numbers only on a few isolated, remote barrier islands and within vast, protected wildernesses like the 500,000-acre Appalachicola National Forest.

During our 10 days in Florida, we saw 125 species of birds and almost 40 reptiles and amphibians. We saw the dusky pygmy rattlesnake; the beautiful and rare Gulf Hammock rat snake; the unusual, legless eastern glass lizard; and hundreds of butterflies of a dozen species flitting from flower to flower along the long, sandy trails. Alligators were common, including a mother with seven babies. And a big water moccasin coiled up, opened its mouth widely, and displayed its sharp, venomous fangs and famous “cottonmouth” while I photographed it.

I’m sure that all of these sightings will remain in my memory over the years, but none will be more treasured, vivid and indelible than my first experience with America’s most impressive snake, the eastern diamondback.

Let’s hope that, before it’s too late, laws will be passed to protect this relatively inoffensive reptile so that it can continue to give nature lovers unforgettable experiences in the southern pine forests of which it is such a magnificent part of the natural heritage.

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I would have to agree. I hate when people just automatically kill a rattlesnake out in the wild. Interesting that lightning poses so much of a greater threat.

Don’t let snake rattle you

I recently received an e-mail I thought I would share with you. It was written by Marsha, a Desert Sun reader from the Coachella Valley.

“Today I had an incident on the Bump and Grind Trail that really disturbed me. I was at the bottom of the last hill when I encountered a rattlesnake, maybe 2 feet long. My instinct was to watch this beautiful creature. I felt honored at being in its presence.

“Then this horrid man came along the trail and wanted to crush the snake with a rock. I said you are not going to throw a rock at this rattlesnake. He said ‘I am going to kill it with a rock.’ I said ‘You are not.’ I stood in the way of this man and guarded the snake. He was insistent he was going to kill the snake with a rock. I told him the snake had a right to be there, and he should be grateful to see it.

“Basically, he shouted that I was nuts. I stood guard over the snake until he finally left with his three boys. I was so grateful to see the snake and save it from this awful man.”

I can’t remember how many times I have heard such accounts from friends, relatives and people I have just met.

I commend Marsha for her willingness to confront a man who was eager to kill the rattlesnake. For those who might wonder, I would have followed Marsha’s lead.

Rattlesnakes are one component, one living part, of our desert environment. Most rattlesnakes spend their lives hunting and eating rodents and other small mammals. This time of year, they are also searching for mates.

Rattlesnakes do everything in their power to avoid detection by large animals, particularly humans. They have evolved a rattle that functions as a warning device when an enemy approaches to close.

Nearly all potential human- rattlesnake encounters are prevented when the rattlesnake shakes its tail, giving humans a chance to move away. I have encountered more than 1,000 rattlesnakes in my life, and only once did a rattlesnake not rattle before it struck at me. I was not watching where I placed my feet and shoved my boot into its side. Its fangs caught my pant leg but not me!

Each year, a handful of people in the United States die from venomous snakes bites. Of these deaths, most involve keepers or researchers that regularly handle venomous snakes.

By contrast, dozens of people die as a result of attacks from their pets (particularly dogs), hundreds die from honeybee stings and many thousands as a result of reckless drivers.

In the grand scheme of things, the threat posed by a wild rattlesnake is almost nonexistent. The average outdoor enthusiast is 1,000 times more likely to die from a lightning strike than from a rattlesnake bite.

If destroying something is based upon the threat it poses to our well-being, no matter how minor the threat might be, then we might as well destroy everything we see, hear or touch.

Frankly, the man who wanted to pick up the rock and smash the rattlesnake in front of his three sons scares me a lot more than even the largest rattlesnake.

James Cornett is the author of “Rattlesnakes: Answers to Frequent Questions.”

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First Aid Training – Quick Response to a Snake Bite

• by Bobbie McKee

Snake bites are serious. If not treated quickly, the victim can experience extreme reaction to venom and in a matter of minutes, the result can be fatal. Since majority of snake bites occur in a remote area, emergency medical help is difficult to acquire. Thus it is important that there is a person in your group with proper first aid training in order to administer temporary treatment to the victim.

 

What to do in case of a snake bite:

Snakes only attack if under treat, so the cases of snake bites can be attributed to people who get very near to the location of the snake or where snakes live. Thus, the very first thing you should do to the victim is to move him to a safe place. Once the victim is on a safe location, keep him still and administer the first aid.

If possible, try to identify the species of snake that caused the bite. Take a pictureor have a visual memory of the snake if you cannot name the specie. This is veryimportant since there are a lot of venomous snakes in America and the anti-venom that should be given must be compatible with the snake that bit the victim.

If you were not able to identify the snake, at least, pinpoint the exact location of where the incident happened. Location gives clues to the type of snake that lives in the area.

Remove any tight fitting clothing, a rope, lace or jewelry and use it to tie a light restricting bond inches away on both sides of the area that is bitten. Timing is crucial. So if the victim cries for help, do this procedure in the quickest possible time.

Ask someone to call for help. Remember that first aid treatment only aims to prevent, reduce, or slow down the effects of the venom, minimize the complications of the venom and ready the victim for professional medical treatment. Call 911 right away.

Do not cut into the wound as it can only create infections.

Apply a strong suction with the mouth or using bite kit suction device if available. Do this continuously on the deepest puncture marks, within seconds of the bite.

Clean the entire area with soap and warm water. Use antiseptic cleanser if available.

Do not feed the victim nor give him something to drink. Alcohol should not be given to the victim as it can add to the stress level.

Keep the victim warm and immobilized.

Check the bonds regularly. If swelling occurs, loosen as necessary.

Check for the signs of shock. If there are signs of unusual discomfort or major stress, assess if the victim requires other first aid techniques. Keep the bite away from the heart.

Keep doing the above procedures until help arrives.

Transporting the victim to the hospital is crucial. Make sure that he stays warm, immobilized and as comfortable as possible.

Give words of reassurance that everything will going to be okay and survival is out of the question.

Be ready to provide assistance. Contact the relatives of the victim, give useful information about the incident, protect the scene material and describe the first aidadministered.

In some cases, professional help takes a while to arrive so make sure that you keep your focus, stay calm and coordinate with the people around as first aid training is useless if you are not able to stay on top of the whole situation.

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Walkers warned after adder sightings

Friday, April 24, 2009, 10:00

 

IT’S not just tourists that have been lured to the Westcountry by the recent warm weather – adders have been emerging early from their hibernation holes to bask in the sunshine.

The only venomous snakes native to Britain, adders are relatively common in rough, open countryside. However, the recent temperatures seem to have tempted them further into the open, giving walkers the opportunity to take some up-close photographs.

Margaret Acke, of Holne on Dartmoor, was out walking with her daughter and three young grandsons near Start Point lighthouse in South Devon when they came across an adder lying by the side of the path.

Mrs Acke said the boys had run on ahead during the walk earlier this month when the youngest, two-year-old Oliver, tripped and fell.

She said: “The eldest boy saw the snake at the side of the road and called out to us walking some way behind. Eventually we caught up and were amazed to see the snake at the base of the wall.

“It hissed and we all stood back and watched.”

The snake did not move at all, except to raise its head, she said.

She added that she was surprised to see the snake, as the last time she came across an adder was about 40 years ago in Somerset. And she warned other walkers to watch out for them.

Mick and Juliette Flanagan, from Saltash, were walking near the Bedruthan Steps in Cornwall when they spotted a large adder and were able to take a photograph. Mrs Flanagan, said her husband, who serves with the Royal Marines and has recently returned from Afghanistan, could tell from his training on Woodbury Common that it was a fully grown adder.

A spokesman for Paignton Zoo said it was “a little bit early” to see adders, as normally they would emerge in May. He said these recent sightings could be a result of the warm weather.

Although adders are poisonous, they are not aggressive animals and will only use their venom as a last means of defence, usually if caught or trodden on. With proper treatment, the worst effects of their venom are nausea and drowsiness, followed by severe swelling and bruising in the area of the bite, although in extreme cases, their bite can kill small children and dogs.

The Forestry Commission advises walkers to treat adders, distinguishable from grass snakes by the striking zigzag down their backs, with respect and leave them alone.

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Snake’s venom felt in seconds

INLAND VICTIM: A hiker bitten last weekend luckily ran across police officers, who summoned help.By MARK MUCKENFUSS
The Press-Enterprise 

Mike Zerwekh said he was surprised how quickly the rattlesnake venom hit him.

“I started feeling the effects literally within seconds,” Zerwekh said, speaking from his hospital room at Loma Linda University Medical Center.

He had been hiking in tall grass in the hills southwest of Corona on Saturday when a Southern Pacific rattlesnake bit him on the calf. The snake never rattled, he said.

Zerwekh, 26, of Moreno Valley, has run into plenty of rattlesnakes in his work as a biologist. He is a surveyor for the Biological Monitoring Program for western Riverside County’s conservation plan.

“I ran into probably two or three the week before I got bit,” Zerwekh said. “I never really expected it to happen to me.”

He was about 100 yards away from his car when the snake struck. He was driving back toward the city to get help when he ran into some Corona police officers investigating a fatal traffic accident.

Zerwekh said that no more than 10 minutes had passed since the bite, but he was going downhill quickly.

“When I was in my car I was really starting to feel the effects,” he said. “My muscles were starting to spasm. It was probably the scariest situation of my life.”

As he spoke with the officers, his speech became progressively more slurred.

The officers requested a helicopter and Zerwekh was airlifted from the site to Loma Linda where he received antivenin treatment.

Doctors, he said, have told him they expect he will make a full recovery.

He plans to be more careful the next time he is hiking.

“I was definitely a little bit careless,” he said. “I have to remind myself that there are poisonous snakes out there. I have to be vigilant and stay out of the way.”

 

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Heat brings out Yuma’s poisonous predators

Story by Lance Cpl. Austin Hazard 

Photo by Lance Cpl. Austin Hazard

A Mohave rattlesnake stirs in a terrarium in the station pest controller’s office April 14. The snake, which is one of the most deadly North American snakes, was discovered in a field shower tent at the Barry M. Goldwater Range here April 6 during a Weapons and Tactics Instructor course exercise.

With summer approaching, residents here should be wary of increased insect and reptile activity in the area. 

Critters, such as scorpions, spiders and snakes, can be dangerous and are encountered more frequently during the warmer months. 

“The warmer it is, the more active they are,” said Jerry McCluskey, station pest controller. “I’ve already had more snake calls this season than I have the previous two years.” 

The bark scorpion, a common variety in the desert Southwest, can be identified by the way it lays its tail flat and to the side, instead of curved in the air. This allows it to squeeze into small and narrow cracks. Bark scorpions are particularly active at night and prefer dark damp areas. 

Another dangerous critter to look out for here is the female black widow spider. They are identified by their long, thin legs and red or orange hourglass-shaped marks on their undersides. Males are tan in color and considerably smaller. 

Black widow bites can go unnoticed and symptoms may not appear for up to six hours. Bites typically cause inflammation, progressive aches, muscle pain and in some cases may lead to death. 

Snakes, such as the sidewinder, Mohave and diamondback rattlesnakes are other warm-weather creatures to be wary of. 

The sidewinder rattlesnake is the most common snake found here, said McCluskey. It is identified by its sandy coloring, unique sideways movement and the hornlike point over each eye. 

Known to be one of the deadliest snakes in North America, the Mohave rattlesnake has a diamond pattern along its back, with black and white markings near the tip of its tail. The Diamondback rattlesnake, though not as dangerous, can be nearly identical in appearance to the Mohave. 

Despite being native to the area, the Mohave rattlesnake is reclusive and rarely seen, said McCluskey. 

Although a Mohave was recently found in a showering tent on the Barry M. Goldwater Range during the Weapons and Tactics Instructor course here, it was the first report in five years, said McCluskey. 

Younger rattlesnakes are often more dangerous than older ones. 

“The chances of getting bitten by a small rattlesnake are greater than with a large rattlesnake, because they get in smaller spots and they can’t warn you,” said McCluskey. “I usually only see the small ones, because the older ones are smart enough to know to stay away.” 

Younger rattlesnakes also have less control over their venom. An adult rattlesnake can decide how much venom it wants to inject into you, but baby rattlesnakes, they can’t control their venom, said McCluskey. 

Snake bites should always be considered poisonous, said McCluskey. The best thing to do for venomous bites and stings is isolate the injury, keep it elevated above the heart, and contact emergency services immediately. 

While waiting for medical help, victims should remain calm. 

“If you get excited, your heart rate is going to increase, and that’s going to speed up your circulation,” said Art Chavez Jr., station fire department assistant training chief. “With poison in your blood, that’s obviously bad.” 

Victims should not attempt to treat the wound in any way or remove the venom. 

“You can’t suck the venom out.” said McCluskey. “That’s a Hollywood thing.” 

If stung by a scorpion or spider, victims should be careful about removing stingers from the wound. 

“Scrape the stinger away with a credit card,” said Chavez. “Trying to pull it out could squeeze more poison out of it.” 

Anyone unsure if they were bitten by a spider or scorpion should call emergency services immediately. Taking an antihistamine while they wait for symptoms to appear can help reduce potential allergic reactions. 

McCluskey advises people to be aware of their surroundings and be cautious of small, dark, enclosed spaces in order to avoid bites and stings. Also, pay attention to anything that sounds like a rattlesnake’s warning. 

“Don’t ever put your hand where you can’t see it,” said McCluskey. “And be sure to shake out things like shoes, especially when they’ve been left outside.” 

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Boy bitten by snake while playing in woods

Beware of picking up adders. Seven-year-old Jack Middleton,of Billinghay, suffered a swollen hand when he was bitten by one of the snakes while playing in woods near Woodhall Spa. 

Published Date: 21 April 2009

By Andy Hubbert

A SEVEN-year-old boy was hospitalised after being bitten by an adder while playing in woods.

Jack Middleton of Billinghay was on a family outing to Ostler’s Plantation at Woodhall Spa on Friday when the poisonous snake attacked him. 

Jack’s grandmother, Sue Middleton, said Jack and his cousins had wandered off the path and were playing in the undergrowth when one of his younger cousins picked up an adder. It hissed and spat and she dropped the adder but it lunged out and bit young Jack’s hand.

Mrs Middleton said Jack’s hand quickly swelled and turned black.

An ambulance took Jack to Lincoln County Hospital where he was treated until being discharged on Saturday night.

Mrs Middleton said she would like to warn other children of the dangers of snakes.

Grandfather Harry Middleton urged there to be raised awareness of snakes in this country. He felt that rather than children being encouraged to hold and stroke them and believe they are friendly and harmless they should be warned that they can be dangerous and should not try to pick the creatures up. He said that people generally had a healthy fear of snakes and that should not be played down.

Jack has recovered from his ordeal and was due to return to school yesterday, Tuesday.

Mrs Middleton said: “He’s as large as life again. He will have a story to tell at school.”

Adders are a protected species and the Forestry Commission believes warning signs would put their habitat at risk and could attract people who may harm the snakes.

But Forestry Commission beat officer Wally Grice said signs, including a picture of an adder, will be put up at Ostler’s next month to inform people the heathland habitat includes adders.

Mr Grice added: “Nobody has died of an adder bite in 20 years.”

* Adders are Britain’s only venomous reptile. They grow to about 50-65cm long and are usually a brown or buff colour with red and black markings and a zig-zag pattern along the body. Adders are not aggressive snakes, and will only attack if harassed or threatened.

Although an adder’s venom poses little danger to a healthy adult human, the bite is very painful and requires urgent medical attention.

* Do you think children should be taught to be wary of snakes or to be less fearful of them? Email your views to andy.hubbert@jpress.co.uk

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Scary story. This is why you shouldn’t really hike alone. Or in tall grass in Rattler Country.

Snake Bite Victim Talks
about Ordeal

Biologist was bitten by rattlesnake
near Corona.

Last Edited: Monday, 20 Apr 2009, 8:19 AM PDT
Created On: Sunday, 19 Apr 2009, 4:13 PM PDT

• CityNews Service
• Posted by: Dennis Lovelace

Riverside (myFOXla.com) – A biologist who was bitten by a three-foot-long Southern Pacific rattlesnake in the Cleveland National Forest outside Corona was in critical condition Sunday at Loma Linda University Medical Center, hospital officials said.      
    
Mike Zerwekh, 26, of Moreno Valley, was groggy Sunday afternoon but lucid enough to speak about his ordeal in a telephone interview with City News Service.      
    
“I’m doing OK considering the circumstances,” said Zerwekh, who is a biologist with the Western Riverside County Biological Monitoring Program.      
    
Zerwekh said he was on his own time Saturday when he went for a walk in the mountains above Skyline Drive, west of Corona.      
    
“I was in high grass when all of a sudden a rattlesnake jumped and bit me in the leg,” Zerwekh said. “I don’t know if I stepped on it. I didn’t see it strike but I did see it. It was gray with dark blotches on the back.”      
    
Almost immediately, Zerwekh sensed the rattler had bitten him hard and long enough to inject a dangerous amount of venom.      
    
“I started driving looking for help,” Zerwekh said. “I could already feel dryness in my mouth, and tingling … all over my body.      
    
“The pain got more intense,” Zerwekh said. “It felt like a huge pressure all over my body. I was losing motor skills, control of my extremities. It made it difficult to drive the car.”      
    
Luckily for Zerwekh, he chanced upon sheriff’s deputies investigating a fatal crash, where a car had gone over a cliff, on Skyline Drive.      
    
“The police there called in the helicopter,” Zerwekh said. “They landed in a small clearing and got me on a stretcher and lifted me into the helicopter.”      
    
The crew of Cal Fire Helicopter 301, a military-surplus UH-1H “Super Huey,” tended closely to Zerwekh during the flight to the Loma Linda hospital. The roar of the chopper’s engine and rotors and the sudden sensation of flying did not drown out effects of the rattler’s venom.      
    
“I was conscious the whole way, trying to get through the pain,” Zerwekh said. “It was difficult.”      
    
Dr. Sean P. Bush, snakebite-venom specialist at Loma Linda University Medical Center, confirmed that Zerwekh was bitten by a rattlesnake, said hospital spokeswoman Katie Ellis.      
    
Zerwekh was the fifth rattlesnake bite patient treated at Loma Linda so far this year, Ellis said.      
    
Told he was in critical condition, Zerwekh said that was news to him. But he admitted to feeling weak from medication and all he’s been through since Saturday afternoon.      
    
Zerwekh will remain hospitalized in Loma Linda at least until Monday, Ellis said.      
    
He hasn’t had any visitors yet, but he said he doesn’t feel lonely.      
    
“I’m really grateful to everybody, from the police, to the paramedics on the helicopter, and the nurses and doctors at the hospital,” Zerwekh said. “They all did an excellent job.”      
    
Zerwekh said his father was flying in from Kansas to be with him.

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Rattler’s reputation takes a toxic turn for the worse

Experts suspect species is becoming deadlier

By Scott LaFee (Contact) Union-Tribune Staff Writer

2:00 a.m. April 20, 2009

With warming weather comes the return of rattlesnakes and renewed reports that one species of the slithering reptile may be biting more people and becoming more dangerous.

In recent years, some doctors and toxicologists in Southern California and across the Southwest have reported anecdotal evidence of an increase in snakebite cases, with more patients suffering extreme – sometimes fatal – consequences.

Last summer, San Diego Poison Control officials said the recorded number of “unusually powerful” snakebites had increased for the second consecutive year. Media attention has fanned the furor, most recently an article in the current issue of Scientific American that suggests the venom of the southern Pacific rattlesnake, a common species in San Diego County, is becoming “extratoxic.”

That’s bad news for potential bite victims and arguably worse news for rattlesnakes, but some herpetologists and snake experts question whether the phenomenon is real.

Each year, the San Diego division of the California Poison Control System records 40 to 60 rattlesnake bites in San Diego County, said Dr. Richard Clark, a toxicologist at the University of California San Diego and medical director of the local poison control center. In 2004, the poison control system recorded 42 rattlesnake bites to humans in the county. In 2005, there were 45; in 2006, 54; in 2007, 47; and last year, 41.

The real number is higher, Clark said, because snakebites are not among cases that doctors are required to report. Clark said he believes that locally, one or two snakebites in 2008 were fatal.

In the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are roughly 7,000 reported venomous snakebites each year, 15 of which on average prove fatal.

Clark said the number of snakebites varies with shifting environmental conditions. Wildfires, for example, can substantially affect rattlesnake habitat, reproduction rates and prey availability. He predicted that the annual number of rattlesnake bites will trend upward “as we continue to build and expand into East County and snake habitat.”

San Diego County is home to four species of rattlesnake: the speckled, the red diamond, the sidewinder and the southern Pacific, which is a subspecies of the western rattlesnake and the most abundant rattler in the region.

It’s the southern Pacific rattlesnake that’s generating headlines and concern, with speculation that the species is evolving and expanding into a more dangerous animal. To some degree, scientists say, there are reasons to worry.

First, southern Pacifics are more widely distributed than other indigenous rattlesnakes. They live in diverse habitat from the beaches to the mountains, and they are tolerant of disturbed, developed areas.

“Southern Pacific rattlesnakes thrive where people prefer to live, so people encounter them relatively frequently,” said Dr. Sean Bush, a professor of emergency medicine at Loma Linda University and a snake researcher.

Second, the snakes appear to be more easily annoyed than other species and are more likely to defend themselves aggressively. Clark described them as having “nasty dispositions” and more inclined than other rattlers to bite before retreat.

Bush called them “people-biting snakes.”

It’s the bite, of course, that concerns doctors, scientists and potential victims. Rattlesnake venom is a lethal cocktail of toxins that quickly causes significant tissue damage and hemorrhaging. The bitten prey weakens and dies, and then the snake consumes it.

In humans, an ordinary rattlesnake bite produces initial swelling and bruising around the wound, but quick treatment and new antivenins mean rattlesnake bites are rarely fatal.

There is research to indicate that the venom of at least some southern Pacific rattlesnakes contains an additional deadly ingredient: a fast-acting neurotoxin that affects breathing and muscle control. (A telling symptom of a southern Pacific bite is rapid, uncontrollable muscle twitching.)

A neurotoxin is also present in the Mohave rattlesnake, a deadlier, desert-dwelling species found primarily in Arizona and Mexico, though part of its range reaches into eastern San Diego County.

Some researchers have speculated that interbreeding with Mohave rattlesnakes has produced a deadlier version of the southern Pacific. Richard Dart, director of the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center in Denver, said it’s possible. “If they’re rattlesnakes, they’ll interbreed. I’ve seen it in the lab, though it’s probably not something that happens in nature every mating season.”

William Hayes, a biologist and snake researcher at Loma Linda University, is more skeptical. He dismisses the idea that southern Pacific rattlesnakes are naturally evolving a more toxic venom. The majority of western rattlesnakes lack neurotoxins in their venom, he said. If some southern Pacific rattlesnakes do in fact have them, it’s likely to be an unidentified toxin.

Bush suggests the phenomenon may be an example of convergent evolution.

“That is, an animal develops a similar trait because it utilizes it for a similar task,” Bush said. “Sort of like giraffes and brontosauruses both having long necks, probably to feed on leaves high in trees.”

On one thing all of the researchers agree: Size matters in snakebites. Adult victims tend to fare better than children because of greater body mass. And the bigger the snake, the worse its bite.

“I don’t know where the myth about baby rattlers being more dangerous came from,” said Dr. Roy Johnson, an Escondido-based physician and herpetologist. “The key is how much venom is injected, and a big snake injects a lot more venom than a small snake.”

Anecdotal reports of nastier snakebites may be due to a proportionate increase in big snakes. Hayes said chronic drought conditions in Southern California may have reduced reproductive rates among rodents and other small mammals, which are the southern Pacific’s preferred prey.

As a result, the rattlesnake’s reproductive rate has also declined, reducing the number of juvenile snakes. “We may well be seeing a shift toward more bites being inflicted by larger rattlesnakes simply because smaller snakes may now be disproportionately few,” Hayes said. Southern Pacific rattlesnakes can grow up to 4 feet in length.

Snakebite data suggest big snakes usually bite big people. Children tend to be bitten by small rattlesnakes they stumble upon inadvertently. Adults are more often bitten by rattlesnakes they try to pick up.

“If anything, we can expect the escalating emphasis on snakes in nature television programming to inspire more people to make dumb decisions about handling venomous snakes,” Hayes said. “We might be seeing a shift in the demography of snakebite victims, with more adult men, many under the influence of alcohol, getting bitten by snakes they should not have been messing with.”

Johnson, the Escondido physician who has treated hundreds of snakebite victims over 30 years, agreed: “Mostly people get bitten because they tried picking up a snake, because they weren’t smart enough to know better.”

HOW TO TREAT A BITE

Rattlesnake bites are rarely fatal when the victim receives fast treatment. Administering antivenin is critical. Traditional first aid, such as applying ice, using a tourniquet or putting suction to the wound, may cause more harm than good.

If the bite occurs while in a remote setting, the wounded area should be immobilized (especially if it is an arm or leg) and the victim quickly but safely transported to the nearest phone. Dial 911 and wait for assistance. If no phone is available, drive to a hospital or clinic.

---

 

LOCAL RATTLESNAKES

 

WESTERN/SOUTHERN PACIFIC 
Crotalus viridis helleri

Description: Up to 4 feet in length. Light gray or brown, with pale margins around dorsal blotches. At higher elevations, specimens may be black. Juveniles have yellow-green tails.

Habitat: Seacoast to pine-wooded mountain ranges.

Behavior: Aggressively defensive.

RED DIAMOND 
Crotalus ruber

Description: Usually in the 3-foot range, though some adults may exceed 5 feet. Distinctively reddish or tan, with subtle diamond pattern on back and a black-and-white tail.

Habitat: Areas of rock and brush, such as coastal sage scrub.

Behavior: Generally docile, though individual temperaments vary.

SOUTHWESTERN SPECKLED 
Crotalus mitchelli pyrrhus

Description: Up to 3 feet in length. Color matches earth tones of environs, with black speckles forming indistinct bars or blotches on back. Dark rings on tail.

Habitat: Most abundant in inland rocky areas and in the desert.

Behavior: Alert, nervous and quick to rattle when disturbed.

SIDEWINDER 
Crotalus cerastes

Description: Rarely exceeds 2 feet. Generally pale tan and pink, matching desert sands. Dark square blotches on backside. Hornlike protrusions above eyes.

Habitat: Sandy desert

Behavior: Quick and elusive, leaving distinctive J-shaped tracks.

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Probably not.

Is Rattlesnake Venom More Poisonous Than Ever?

Apr 20, 2009 5:53 PMApr 20, 2009 7:12 PM

Video Gallery

Is Rattlesnake Venom More Poisonous Than Ever? 2:46

It’s rattlesnake season, and some say this year could be deadlier than ever. Some reports show more people are being bitten, and they’re suffering more extreme – sometimes fatal – consequences. But one local snake expert disagrees.The Southern Pacific Rattlesnake comes out between the months of April and October, so well into the season there are emerging reports that say this species is becoming increasingly deadly.

Doctor Roy Johnson, a physician and herpetologist, has studied snakes for more than 30 years and says reports that the rattlesnake found in San Diego County is becoming “extra toxic” are bogus.

“They’re very adaptable and they do well in an environment like this where you have a lot of people moving out into more rural areas, and there are just still lots snakes out here,” he said.

Johnson has studied snakes for more than 30 years, and says reports that the rattlesnakes found in San Diego County are becoming “extra toxic” is bogus.

“Most often severe envenomations occur because people are bitten more than one time,” Dr. Johnson said.

But the rumors sounded like they could be true, especially when our own News 8 Chopper reporter Jo Eager was bitten last year. Eager spent more than two weeks in the hospital, and couldn’t walk for days.

“There wasn’t much of a warning

“It felt like a thorn had been hammered right by ankle bone,” she said. “I could feel things swelling up, my breathing became more difficult.”

Johnson says adverse reactions have a lot to do with how soon a person receives medical attention. The sooner a snakebite victim gets anti-venom, and enough doses of it, the better off that person will be. So reports that the Southern Pacific’s venom is packing a bigger punch are just a myth.

“Evolution is a very slow process. Venoms don’t change,” Dr. Johnson said.

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In my book the lowest people on earth are individuals who mistreat children. Just a step above such trash are those who mistreat animals..

As for the latter, though, there is a difference between humankind and lower animals. Humans are, for the most part, carnivorous, which means that the flesh of certain animals is an acceptable item of nourishment.

It was wrong to slaughter the buffalo just for the sake of slaughtering the beasts. Not only was the buffalo a prime source of food for many Native Americans, but also they used the bones for their tools and the pelts for clothing and shelter. There was nothing wasted.

The conflict between humans and lower forms of animal life spawned the endangered species act.

Like too many acts established for good reason, this one also can get ridiculous. One would think that rattlesnakes might be exempt from endangered status, but a few years ago that assumption was wrong. It didn’t include all rattlers, just the Western Prairie Rattler.

When the first Europeans arrived in North America, they encountered a unique creature, the rattlesnake. Some type of rattler can be found in every one of the 48 contiguous states. It even became a national symbol of sorts, with  “Don’t Tread On Me,” with the cut-up image of one used to promote “Unite or Die” as interest grew to separate the colonies from Britain. But all forms of rattlesnakes can be quite hazardous with a most powerful venom.

A majority of healthy people who suffer a rattler bite do not die, especially if they receive prompt first aid and good medical treatment. Nevertheless, a rattlesnake bite causes serious injury to a human and some do die from the venom. Those who survive  often have a life long problem.

The Western Prairie Rattler is one of only two types of rattlesnakes currently considered endangered. The other is the masaqua, smaller snake. This means it is against the law to kill a either of the twoi species unless the snake is actually attacking an individual. In other words, if you see one in the back yard where your kids play regularly, you cannot kill it unless it is actually attacking. The law apparently considers the snake more endangered than your kids playing and sharing space with one of the pesky varmints in the backyard. That is plain bovine effluvia. While one should not traipse in the woods to kill where there are no humans in peril there is a definite danger of one in the back yard whether or not it is attacking at the time.

I suppose one could go over and provoke the snake to coil and threaten to invoke its natural form of protection, but that is not a wise move. In some such cases the snake has been known to win.

One of the most erroneous and dangerous misconceptions about rattlesnakes is that they always give audible warning before striking.

If that was true, rattlesnakes would starve to death, since most animals that make up the diet for the snakes have an inherent knowledge of the danger involved when they hear a rattler shaking its tail. Often when the snake gets around to rattling, the damage has been done.

Law or no law, if there is a rattlesnake in my yard, attacking or not, it is not only  endangered but dead.

In a way, all rattlesnakes are endangered in one sense. Rattlesnakes (with most other snakes) and people cannot live side by side, and in most people’s mind, human beings still take precedent over reptiles. The main reason the Western Prairie Rattler is losing out is because people have moved into the area. In the conflict between man and rattlesnakes, the eventual loser is the snake. That is the law of nature, which supercedes any law that can be enacted in any legislature.

When farmers clear and till the ground it is detrimental to the snakes and they soon die out in that area. When the former range of the snakes is invaded by human settlement, the snakes’ days are numbered. It is an important reason why people, including Real Estate agents trying to sell empty houses, should keep the grass mowed and weeds cut down in their living areas.

It is probably fortunate there was no endangered species act when the dinosaurs started to die out.
 

Trivia Time: What is the average number of annual deaths from rattlesnake bite in the U.S.?

Answer to last question. The 27th Amendment to the Constitution was proposed along with the Bill of Rites but was not declared ratified until 200 years later in 1991. It simply states that the pay of Representatives and Senators cannot be altered until the next election for Representatives. Don’t feel bad if you didn’t know this since it seems the folks in Congress apparently don’t either. 

Contact George Frasher at 337-238-3433, E-mail frasher@cebridge.net.

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Snakes Alive! Watch Where You’re Walking!

Snake Expert Explains Which Snakes Are Harmful, Which Aren’t

JACKSON, Miss. – There have been reports recently of snakes popping up all across Mississippi.

 

Just this week, several snakes were found in a Hattiesburg middle school. One even bit a teacher. 

Snake expert Terry Vandeventer explained that people don’t have to look very far in Mississippi to find snakes. 

Terry Vandeventer found this snake hiding under some old tin.

 

There’s no such thing as a snake repellent, Vandeventer said. Mothballs and commercial repellants don’t repel snakes. So homeowners should keep areas mowed and clean. 

Along the edge of a building that hasn’t been mowed is a good place for rats and mice, which also makes it a good place for snakes to pursue their favorite foods. Snakes are good because they destroy rats and mice, but they’re a nuisance around the house where there’s children and pets. 

“If I’m available, I’ll go remove a snake,” Vandeventer said. “I don’t charge for it or anything like that, but I would rather take away and release it where it would do some good than have it killed. I’m not snake busters.” 

Roofing materials, which Vandeventer said he calls “Katrina Tin,” that have been blown off old buildings are prime hiding places for snakes. In fact, Vandeventer found a copperhead under some roofing material with 16 WAPT cameras rolling. 

This copperhead was found hiding under old tin in Terry.

 

“Now, that is not a deadly snake, but he will ruin your day,” he said. “This is a snake found in urban areas.” 

Vandeventer said copperheads are potentially dangerous because they are venomous and they bite a fair number of people in Mississippi, but they are not considered a lethal species. In other words, he said, copperheads rarely, if ever, cause a human fatality. 

However, Vandeventer said, there have been some very close calls in the U.S. 

“It’s an animal that’s secretive, that wants to be left alone,” he said. “But when people seem them, they always make an effort to kill them. And as a result, we have a lot of bites in Mississippi from copperheads.” 

He also found a bigger snake, which was a chicken or rat snake. Both snakes were found near rodent burrow holes. 

The timber rattlesnake was once common in Mississippi, but is now rare.

 

Vandeventer showed 16 WAPT News a timber rattlesnake, or a kind brake rattlesnake. 

“This is a snake that was once common in Mississippi but is now somewhat rare,” he said. “They’ve been destroyed on a wholesale manner. This is the snake that was on the first American flag — don’t tread on me, the timber rattlesnake.” 

The Mississippi corn snake is often mistaken for the venomous copperhead and killed. In the end, Vandeventer said, the best idea is to use common sense and leave snakes alone.

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File this one under hard to believe. 

Venomous spider bite cures paraplegic
A California paraplegic who used a wheelchair for 20 years recovered his ability to walk after he was bitten by a spider. David Blancarte, 48, was recently bitten by a venomous Brown Recluse spider and sent to an emergency room. A nurse noticed a muscle spasm in his paralyzed leg and tested him with an electric current. “I yelled,” he says. Five days later, Blancarte was walking. Doctors say they’re mystified. 

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I would not have guessed that snake bites account for nearly this many deaths per year.

Lethal Snake Bites Kill 200,000 A Year
13 April 2009

Five million people worldwide, mostly in rural Asia and Africa, get bitten by snakes each year. Hundreds of thousands die or suffer permanent disability. A shortage of antivenin treatment in poor countries endangers countless farmers, young adults and children. 

Larry Bulanadi is known in the Philippines as the Cobra King, because of his skill in hunting the feared spitting cobra – a highly venomous snake that spits toxin at its prey.

Farmers have asked him to rid their farms of cobras. 

Today Bulanadi was called by this farmer who found two snakes in his field. If he gets bitten by a cobra, he could die quickly. Hospitals are far away and often they do not even have antivenin.

“There is a good chance to find snakes here because the field has been cleared of places they could hide,” he Bulanadi said. “Farm owners ask us to clear the field of snakes because it is a risk to their lives.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) says about five million people around the world are bitten by snakes each year. As many as 200,000 die, and about 400,000 lose limbs. Most victims are in developing countries in Africa and Asia.

The WHO says victims in developing countries, many of them children, die because they are far from medical help and because there is a global scarcity of antivenin.

Dr. Visith Sitprija runs the WHO Collaborating Center for Venomous Snake Toxicology and Research in Bangkok. He says the high cost of producing antivenin means poorer countries such as Cambodia and Burma cannot get adequate supplies. 

“It’s our commitment and in the terms of reference with WHO that we have to provide antivenin. They order from us from time to time,” Dr. Visith says, “but still we are not serving entirely the whole country, their country.”

Unlike other medicines that can be mass produced, Dr. Visith says antivenin is often tailor-made for snakes from specific locations. “Although they may share the common toxin component, the biological effect varies, you know depending on the environment, genetics and the food they eat,” Dr. Visith said.

That means antivenin for a spitting cobra in the Philippines may not work on someone bitten by a similar snake in West Africa.

In one snake farm in Bangkok, children are introduced to a variety of snakes. They learn that most snakes bite people only by accident, and they learn ways to avoid bites – such as wearing rubber boots.

For now, experts say the best ways to reduce the death and injury toll from snake bites are prevention and education.  

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I did not know that Copperhead Snakes were responsible for the majority of venomous snake bites in the U.S.

The Copperhead Snake.

 

by Colin T. Jones

Though not as venomous as other species, the copperhead snake causes the majority of snake-bites in the US. The copperhead can be recognized by its stubby shape and the clear distinction between the neck and the rest of the body although the cross bands that make up the overall pattern make classification possible too.

 

 

Copperhead snakes have pale bellies, similar to the ground on which they live, but they sometimes appear pretty whitish. There are visible spots or pits on the head of copperhead snakes that look like darker tiny specks, but there is also a rather discolored stripe on the head area behind the eyes; this stripe looks very diffuse on top but it gets brownish towards the edges.

Copperhead snakes can be found almost anywhere, from rock and pond areas to woods and the shores of streams. Their choice of habitat is dictated by the predominance of prey, as copperhead snakes live on frogs, small rodents, cicadas, lizards, caterpillars and anything else that cabe taken without too much trouble.

Among the best hide-outs for copperhead snakes, wood piles, stone slabs, walls, debris and abandoned or ruined buildings are the most common, which explains the possibility of a human encounter with them in such areas. Copperhead snakes are most active in the spring and summer months and as long as the weather stays warm, after which they enter the hibernation period.

Copperhead snakes return to the same dens to hibernate year after year, and more often than not, there are large nests counting many individuals during hibernation. On very hot summer days, copperhead snakes will remain in cooler areas during the day and use the cover of the night to hunt. On balmy summer days, the copperhead will lie in the sun on rocks or wooden debris. Copperhead snakes do not hatch eggs, but give birth to their young live. The number of young ranges from one to fourteen and they are usually born from the summer untill October.

Immediate medical assistance is absolutely necessary in the case of bites by copperhead snakes since there is the risk of permanent scarring accompanied by really unbearable pain. The best advice you can get when encountering copperhead snakes is to avoid them, because many people get bitten when they threaten the snakes when roaming or hunting.

Snakes will not attack you unless they feel threatened, then, you will see how fiercely they can defend themselves. Statistics reveal that copperhead snakes have the highest incidence biting in the United States, because these snakes attack immediately without giving warning signs like other species do.

About the Author:

Interested in the Copperhead snake ^[1]? To learn more about snakes visit http://caring-for-snakes.the-real-way.com ^[1] our brand-new web site. Click here to get your own unique version of this article ^[2] with free reprint rights.

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Informative article about snake safety in Florida.

Snakes: What you must know in order to adapt

By Cindy Swirko
Staff writer

Published: Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 6:01 a.m. 
Last Modified: Friday, April 10, 2009 at 8:57 p.m.

Ah, springtime. Love is in the air – even for snakes.

This is snake mating season and, combined with the warm weather and recent deluges after a lengthy dry spell, snakes will be slithering around woods, yards and across roads.

Snakes have a biblical evilness that still viscerally creeps out some people, but the creatures are beneficial in many ways and should simply be left alone if found – even venomous varieties, professionals say.

“Most people who are tuned into nature know that snakes are here. They are basically good guys – eating mice, crickets and lizards. Most people who are tuned into that and are out in the garden are fine with it,” said Wendy Wilbur, Alachua County extension agent. “But then we have a lot of folks who are just scared of snakes. For them the world is a scary place. My grandmother would kill an oversized earthworm, but I just can’t recommend that. Snakes are mostly good.”

Snakes are reptiles and reptiles are cold-blooded. The change of season recently to warm spring weather has revitalized snakes. The recent heavy rains will widen the pool for water snakes such as moccasins and may have strictly terrestrial snakes looking for higher ground.

All that activity means people are more likely to see snakes now when hiking, gardening or enjoying other outdoor activities.

“Certainly water snakes, including the cottonmouth, will have an expanded range when the water expands. Other types of snakes that are not particularly fond of water will be seeking out higher ground,” said Henry Cabbage of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Florida is home to 45 varieties of snakes, of which six are venomous, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida. Of those six, five can be found in North Central Florida – the cottonmouth water moccasin, eastern diamondback, timber rattlesnake, dusky pygmy rattlesnake and eastern coral snake.

The only way to tell if a snake is venomous is to be able to identify it. Detailed descriptions and photos of venomous snakes can be found at http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/FL-GUIDE/Venomsnk.htm.

Experts say bites can be prevented with a few precautions.

One is to leave snakes alone – many people are bitten because they try to kill a snake or get a closer look at it.

People should stay out of tall grass unless wearing thick leather boots. People should also keep hands and feet out of areas you can’t see.

Snakes can be found in any yard, but Wilbur said some residents will specifically have a highly landscaped and manicured lawn because it is less of a natural environment for snakes, particularly venomous snakes.

“We don’t often see them in the urban environment,” Wilbur said. “It’s interesting when people put in ponds. They want the waterfall and they want to attract wildlife, which to them is happy wildlife – the birds and the frogs. They don’t bank on the fact that the snakes show up, too. We try to teach tolerance.”

Contact Cindy Swirko at 374-5024 or at swirkoc@gvillesun.com.

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It’s the season when bears emerge from hibernation and gators get active. Add snakes to the list, too. Watch yourselves out there, folks.

Snakes Active in Spring   Lauderdale County, Miss. This is the time of year snakes come out of hibernation. Dr. Jarrod Fogarty, a biology instructor at MSU Meridian, says many people are afraid of all snakes. But he says of the fifty varieties in Mississippi, only eight are actually venomous. “One of the most important things is if you don’t know how to identify snakes, just stay away from them,” Fogarty said. “Don’t try to handle them. That’s one of the mistakes a lot of people make.” Fogarty said keeping your grass cut and removing things like fallen limbs in your yard are good ideas, because snakes like to hide there.

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File this one under “makes sense, but seems like something a kid would come up with.” Apparently a diet of scorpions supercharges the snake’s venom!

Scorpion diet makes snakes more venomous

Published: April 10, 2009 at 2:59 PM

BANGOR, Wales, April 10 (UPI) — Deadly saw-scaled vipers that feed on scorpions are far more dangerous than those that eat mammals and reptiles, a Welsh researcher says. 

Axel Barlow of Bangor University began studying the snakes, one of the major killers in West Africa, to determine why anti-venom does not help some bite victims, the North Wales Chronicle reported. He found that the scorpion-eaters’ venom is about 30 times as toxic as that of other saw-scaled vipers.

Barlow is collaborating on his research with the Venom Research Unit at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

“The West African governments continue to buy this anti-venom from India, but it doesn’t work,” Barlow said. “It’s kind of intuitive that a snake’s venom is going to be more toxic to the type of animals that they feed on.”

Anti-venom is produced by injecting snake venom into horses, causing them to produce antibodies, and then harvesting their blood. To work, anti-venoms must be matched to the type of venom produced by the snake involved in the bite.

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Here’s a cool blog with a scary story about being bitten by a Black Widow Spider!

I wasn’t keeping a black widow as a pet, but the spider was living in the piano, right next to my bed (I didn’t know it though). I woke up one morning about 3 weeks ago and could barely get out of bed, I was sooo dizzy. I had to hold on to the walls to walk. Did I go running to the doctor? No. I mentioned it to Cait on the phone but when you’ve had an illness w/ lots of strange symptoms you tend to say to yourself, “Well, this is a new symptom but it’s probably more of the same stuff I deal with anyway.” and it never occurs to you that this could be a NEW problem!

So for 2 or 3 days I was pretty much bedridden from being too dizzy to get up. Then when I was able to get up, I felt like I’d been in the house too much so I went over to my Mom’s house and we went to dinner. Only I still felt horrible and my eyes were running so much that it looked like I was crying my eyes out – only I wasn’t. I told my mom I had a “cold”. I was too tired to go home so I slept on her couch. Next morning I got up to go home and fell right back to sleep on her couch and didn’t wake up until she got home from work that evening! I still felt bone tired.

Oh. And I had this huge itchy burning round rash thing on my chest right below my throat, and in the center the skin kept dissolving and sloughing off! Over and over again! It was like a flesh eating bacteria or something, so I kept putting iodine on it and such.

Geez you’d think I’d get a clue!

Finally, I went back home and was in bed and felt something crawling on me. I smacked it and turned on the light and there was the black widow!

Suddenly it all fell into place. DUH! I had been bitten by a black widow spider! I called my doctor and he said that it sounded like I’d been through the worst of it and there wasn’t much else to do now but just ride it out. So that’s why I haven’t been online in AGES!

I’m starting to feel like myself again.

I hadn’t realized that black widows were quite THAT venomous, but I’ve since learned that people have died from black widow spider bites. Gosh, we have them everywhere in California. My garage is full of them!

If there’s a next time (God forbid), I’ll pay more attention and go to the doctor.

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With as venomous as the Mohave Rattler is, this could have been disastrous.

Mojave rattler found in Marine shower tent

April 9, 2009 – 6:41 PM

BY CHRIS McDANIEL, SUN STAFF WRITER

  When Yuma Marines train in the desert, a portable shower can be a luxury – as long as it does not have a Mojave rattlesnake coiled up on the floor ready to strike unprotected toes.

  One of the slithering, highly venomous desert dwellers recently decided to make itself at home, but was quickly discovered and removed before it could sink its fangs into anyone conducting field exercises on the Barry M. Goldwater Range.

  The snake was being held in an animal terrarium in station pest controller Jerry McCluskey’s office at MCAS Yuma. There was also a sidewinder in a separate terrarium, and McCluskey said he will release the snakes back into their natural habitats after the training exercises are completed.

  “The snake is between two and four years old and is 2-1/2 feet long,” said McCluskey. “The Marines found the snake in the shower, which is one of the worst places because the Marines go in there with bare feet.”

  But the encounter in the shower was all the more hazardous because, as McCluskey noted, “the Mojave is the deadliest of all rattlesnakes. There are two toxins from rattlesnake bites, but not all rattlesnakes can produce both of them.

  “The first is a neurotoxin and the second is a hemotoxin. One attacks the nervous system, and the second attacks the tissue and blood. Neurotoxin is the most dangerous and does not hurt as bad at the site of the bite. Mojaves can have both in their venom.”

  McCluskey, who is the only pest controller on the station and is on call 24/7, said he does not mess around when it comes to catching deadly snakes.

  “I used specialized equipment to pick it up and to protect myself. I was a Navy corpsman, and whenever I had to treat snakebites, they were usually to the webbing of their hands. That means they were reaching for the snake at the time, which they always denied.”

  McCluskey said it is his intention to never be bitten by a venomous snake.

  “I have never been bitten by a viper, and I don’t plan on it ever happening. I will do everything in my power to keep from getting bit – and to make sure no one else gets bit either. My job is to keep our Marines healthy so they can keep us safe.”

  McCluskey said this is the beginning of snake season, and during this interview Thursday, he was called out to pick up another snake cruising around the base.