Conservation Corner: October 2, 2000

Watch For Snakes While Outdoors
by James L. Cummins

Early October means squirrel hunting and bowhunting for deer. It also means that Mississippi's outdoor enthusiasts are spending more times hiking, camping and scouting. With this increase in activity, it is inevitable that we will encounter snakes.

"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," stated Rob Ballinger, a Field Biologist for the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

At the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Expo, which was held in Hattiesburg and Greenville, this point was made evident by Terry Vandevender, a professional herpetologist. During his 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; most adults sitting in the audience seemed terrified.

According to Ballinger, the problem most people encounter is the lack of 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," continued the Wildlife Mississippi biologist.

Ballinger states that when a snake is encountered, the best thing to do is leave it alone. Avoidance is the best policy. 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 spending time in the 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.

"In the unlikely event of a snake bite, try to stay as calm as possible. Any increase in heart rate will in turn, increase the rate that venom is distributed throughout the body. If at all possible, try to identify the snake, but use extreme caution. Splint the bitten area and keep it immobilized. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Snakebites rarely prove fatal," stated Ballinger.

"Snakes are an important ecological component and are useful to all of us 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!," concluded the Wildlife Mississippi biologist.

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.