Conservation Corner: March 29, 1999

Wildlife Mississippi Encourages Safety Against Snakes
by James L. Cummins

Late March means warming temperatures. It also means that Mississippi's outdoor enthusiasts are chasing contrary tom turkeys as well as pursuing crappie and bass. The result - an increased amount of human activity in our woods and waterways. With this increase in activity, it is inevitable that human encounters with snakes will be on the rise.

According to Peyton Self, President of Wildlife Mississippi, "Most people will be quick to admit that they have a real fear of snakes. Even the slightest mention of the word 'snake' may cause some people to become uneasy. This fear of snakes is a learned behavior which is brought on by years of listening to legends and superstitions concerning snakes."

This point was made evident by Terry Vandevender, a professional herpetologist who conducts seminars throughout Mississippi. During a recent seminar he asked for young volunteers to come to the stage and assist him with a demonstration. The children were asked to handle an extremely large snake and each of them did so without the least bit of apprehension. All the while, most the adults sitting in the audience seemed terrified.

According to Self, the problem most people encounter is the knowledge to properly identify snakes. "Of the 55 species of snakes found in Mississippi, only six of them are poisonous. These poisonous species are the cottonmouth, Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, copperhead and Eastern coral snake. These venomous snakes have characteristics which distinguish them from non-venomous snakes."

Self states that when a snake is encountered, the best thing to do is leave it alone. Most of the people who are bitten by snakes have provoked the snake either intentionally or by accident. Contrary to popular belief, snakes are not aggressive.

When outdoors, always try to walk in clear areas, paying close attention to where you are stepping. When possible, wear leather boots at least 10" high. When in a boat, pay close attention to overhanging limbs since snakes have a habit of sunning on branches.

"In the unlikely event of a snake bite, try to stay calm. Any increase in heart rate will increase the rate that venom is distributed throughout the body. If possible, try to identify the snake, but use caution. Splint the bitten area and immobilize it. Seek medical attention as soon as possible," concluded Self.

Snakes are an important ecological component and are useful because they consume large numbers of rodents. Never try to kill a snake unless it is threatening your life or the life of another person. Surprising to most people, there is no record of a person ever dying from a snake bite in Mississippi!

James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi.