First Aid for Snake Bites
Marie Gerber
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In Western culture, snakes have often played the role of the villain. Whether it be on the big screen, in movies like "Anaconda" and "Snakes on a Plane" or on the front page of the local newspaper, snak 
es have been given a bad rap. While it cannot be denied that snakes can be dangerous in some cases, many would argue that they are not deserving of their poor reputation. For many Americans, snakes are respected creatures and beloved pets. In ancient Greece, snakes were thought to have healing powers, a belief which continues to be reflected in the well-known symbol used by many medical organizations (a snake wrapped around the staff of Asclepius, the god of healing and medicine).
There are approximately 130 different species and subspecies of snakes that reside in North America. Of these, only a few species are known to be poisonous, including Coral Snakes (2 species) and Pit Vipers (17 species - includes Rattlesnakes, Copperheads and Water Moccasins).
The following are the most common species of venomous snakes known to North America and the regions where they are most commonly found.
1. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) - Southeastern U.S. in lower coastal plains; Southeastern N. Carolina to the Florida Keys, Western to Southern Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana. Normal Venom Yield (NY): 40-70 mg. Lethal Dose (LD): 100 mg.
2. Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) - Most of the Eastern U.S., except for the extreme Northern regions. NY: 100-200 mg. LD: 75-100 mg.
3. Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus) - Southeastern U.S.; Southern Nevada, Southern California and Southwestern Utah. NY: 50-90 mg. LD: 10-15 mg.
4. Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) - Southwestern U.S., from Southeastern California eastward to Central Arkansas. NY: 200-300 mg. LD: 100mg.
5. Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchellii) - Desert areas of the Southwestern U.S. NY: Up to 229 mg. LD: Local/systemic effects.
6. Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius) - Eastern N. Carolina to the Florida Keys west to Eastern Oklahoma and East Texas. NY: 25-35 mg. LD: 30-40 mg.
There are approximately 130 different species and subspecies of snakes that reside in North America. Of these, only a few species are known to be poisonous, including Coral Snakes (2 species) and Pit Vipers (17 species - includes Rattlesnakes, Copperheads and Water Moccasins).
The following are the most common species of venomous snakes known to North America and the regions where they are most commonly found.
1. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) - Southeastern U.S. in lower coastal plains; Southeastern N. Carolina to the Florida Keys, Western to Southern Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana. Normal Venom Yield (NY): 40-70 mg. Lethal Dose (LD): 100 mg.
2. Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) - Most of the Eastern U.S., except for the extreme Northern regions. NY: 100-200 mg. LD: 75-100 mg.
3. Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus) - Southeastern U.S.; Southern Nevada, Southern California and Southwestern Utah. NY: 50-90 mg. LD: 10-15 mg.
4. Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) - Southwestern U.S., from Southeastern California eastward to Central Arkansas. NY: 200-300 mg. LD: 100mg.
5. Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchellii) - Desert areas of the Southwestern U.S. NY: Up to 229 mg. LD: Local/systemic effects.
6. Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius) - Eastern N. Carolina to the Florida Keys west to Eastern Oklahoma and East Texas. NY: 25-35 mg. LD: 30-40 mg.