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Snake Bite
By Stephen Bucaro
The last thing a venomous snake wants to do is bite a human. A human is way too
large to swallow and it takes time for a snake to replace any venom that it uses.
During that time they the snake is unable to catch any prey to eat. This is why
a rattle snake will shake its rattle to serve as a warning. This is why sometimes
when a snake bites it does not inject venom.
One defense mechanism used by some snakes is their color, which causes them to
blend in with the environment and become almost invisible. This results in people
accidentally stepping on a snake, resulting in a bite.
However many times when a human, usually a child, comes upon a snake, out of
curiosity they will play with the snake. Or they will kick or swat at the snake in
an attempt to kill it. This results in a bite.
Always stay alert when walking in the desert or in high grass. When you come
upon a venomous snake, the best policy is to move away from it. Your policy should
be, you leave snakes alone and they'll leave you alone.
There are two types of snakes you want to avoid: Pit vipers (rattlesnake,
water moccasin, and copperhead) which bite with retractable fangs, and Coral
snakes which have relatively dull fangs, so they have to gnaw a few moments
to deposit venom.
A Pit viper's bite produces immediate local pain and swelling. Blister formation
and discoloration usually occur, and the bite may lead to local skin destruction.
The bitten often report tingling lips and a funny taste in their mouth. Symptoms
may progress to sweating, chills, nausea, and vomiting. Muscle twitching may result.
Death from a Pit viper bite is unusual.
A Coral snake's bite produces burning pain at the bite site is often followed by
pain, tingling, or numbness extending from the bite. These symptoms may take up to
twelve hours to develop. Serious systemic manifestations include difficulty speaking,
swallowing, vision problems, and difficulty breathing. Bites from these snakes are
less common but much more dangerous than a Pit viper's bite.
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