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Last spring our Doberman Max was bitten by a pit viper and specifically an alleged pygmy rattler. What followed was a speedy trip to the veterinary emergency clinic, vials of anti-venom and thousands of dollars in medical bills. Max lives in Florida, a state where the population grows daily---both for humans and increasingly invasive reptiles. Florida is not the only state where people (and by extension their companion pets) are facing quite literally both native and non-native species of serpents. Reports are coming in from other areas in the Southeast such as Tennesee of encounters with snakes, however Florida is front and center of a national debate over what can legally be done to mitigate what many people consider a growing problem.
Snakes are undeniably fascinating: They help regulate pests, provide food sources for other animals, and balance the ecosystem. However they can also be a major nuisance due to many having potent venom. Additionally snakes such as the python are invasive species to Florida. Pythons kill natural wildlife which includes even alligators. Biologists have suspected that people may have used pythons as pets, did not want them then released them. Residential neighborhoods especially in Florida are contending with the cottonmouth and pygmy rattlesnake and several others. These retiles can be very hard to spot. Their venom may be very potent. These snakes especially are a threat to pets and children due to the innate curiosity and wanting to see what the crawling creature is. Snakes come in all shapes and sizes from the Great Python, which might reach twenty-three feet in length to the tiny pygmy rattlesnake that might grow to only a few inches in length. Just because a snake is big does not mean it is the most dangerous. On the contrary, the smaller, quieter, better camouflaged serpents are the most perilous. An example is the pygmy rattler due to its rattle being so small it is almost impossible to hear. Now onto the different types of venom. There are three types cytotoxins, hemotoxins, and lastly neurotoxins. Cytotoxins target tissue, flesh, muscles Cytotoxins partially or completely liquefy flesh tissue and muscles. Hemotoxins infiltrate the blood killing blood cells and stopping scabs from forming. Lastly neurotoxins target the nerves paralyzing the victim or shutting down certain parts of the body to make it easier for the snake to kill it and eat it. When one is bitten by a snake --- whether it is venomous or not stay calm. Do not panic! Ironically one of the biggest enemies to snakes could be other snakes and humans. References Saunders, J. (2019, June 14). Dealers challenge anaconda ban. The Florida Times-Union, p. B5. Acknowledgements Special thanks to Jerry Peyton and Dennis Kahler for contributing to this story.
1.) Keep the heart rate lowered, so the venom will take more time to circulate throughout the body.
2.) Get a cloth rope or some type of flexible object and tied above where the bite was inflicted.
3.) Try to keep that body part above the heart at all times for this will make it harder for the blood in that area to reach the heart.
4.) Never under any circumstance attempt to suck out the venom because it will get some of the venom into the mouth which cane result in swallowing.
5.) Most importantly call an ambulance or police officer if caught in a desolate area to the closest sign of civilization and get help.
For more information, the following links can be helpful resources:
11-foot python captured after crossing Key Largo highway
Bloodsucking worms in pythons are killing Florida snakes, study says
How to Save a Life
How To Eradicate Pythons? Get Them "To Come To Us," Expert Says.
"Pygmy Rattlesnake" by Andy Wraithmell is licensed under CC PDM 1.0
"Burmese Python (12), NPSPhoto, R. Cammauf" by evergladesnps is licensed under CC PDM 1.0