#Middlebury #Snakes
A copperhead snake with her newly born offspring. The young are born live in late summer and early fall and have distinctive yellow tips on their tails. (Photo courtesy Rusty Bona)
By JANINE SULLIVAN-WILEY
The DEEP book on Connecticut snakes (tinyurl.com/y4d6k9vz) advises it is unlikely a Connecticut resident will find a venomous snake near their home. However, there are some important do’s and don’ts if you have (hopefully inadvertently) upset a snake and are bitten. If it is venomous, or you think it might be venomous by its appearance or obvious fang marks rather than circular tooth marks, do not kill or try to catch it. Call 911 and describe the snake as best you can.
While waiting for medical assistance, move the bite victim away from the snake, keep him or her as quiet as possible and lying down. Remove any potentially tight items (jewelry, shoes) from the area where the bite occurred before it starts to swell in reaction to the bite.
Many of the old tales of what to do in case of snakebite can actually be harmful. Do NOT cut or try to suck venom from the puncture site, do NOT apply a tourniquet or ice, and do NOT give the victim alcohol or caffeine. Medical care with antivenom is required. Get emergency care for the victim as quickly as possible.
Sometimes even a venomous snake will give what is called a “dry bite” without injected venom. But don’t think a baby snake is nothing to worry about. Counter-intuitively, baby venomous snakes may inject more venom.
Even if you are certain the bite was not from a venomous snake, the bite should still be treated with first aid for a puncture wound, and you should call your doctor to seek advice on further treatment.
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