Reality of a Snake Bite in TN

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UTGrad

UTGrad

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Cookeville, TN
Not that I would ever want to get bit, but I believe the snakes native to TN are not lethal. Mind you guys I am no snake expert but unless a person is literally deep into Appalachia on foot and gets bit by a timber rattler, wouldn't most healthy adults survive a snake bite here?
 
You are correct, unless you have an allergic reaction to the venom, which I think only 5 or so percent is, then it is not lethal but that doesn't mean that it can't do a lot of damage if untreated and could lead to amputations so I still wouldn't play around with them
 
This info from tennsnakes.org:

Tennessee's Venomous Snakes:
Northern & Southern Copperhead
Timber Rattlesnake
Western Cottonmouth
Western Pigmy Rattlesnake

8,000-10,000 snakebites are reported annually in the United States.
Only 12-15 deaths occur each year in the United States, putting your chances of survival at roughly 499 out 500.

The top five states in which you are most likely to die from snakebite are Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Texas and Alabama.� All of these states have species which are more lethal than those found in Tennessee.
 
Not saying it wouldnt hurt, but if I was worried bout one killing me I wouldnt touch em.

IMG00069-20100824-1458.jpg
 
I'm one of those weird types that think snakes are cool. Now that I'm older I won't be handling like the pic above, but I have picked up several cottonmouths in my day. Great pic and a BIG snake
 
I love snakes, and am not worried one iota about dying if bitten. However, recovery is still gruesome and some permanent muscular damage is possible, if not likely. I don't pick them up, but am in awe of venomous snakes, and really all snakes.
 
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Poser said:
I was bite by a shark back in '08. Statistically, I feel like my chances of getting bit by a snake as well are pretty low. All the same, I wear snake boots during turkey season:)

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WOW!! Every year when we go to Destin I catch Blacktips from the surf very early in the morning. I use skipjacks/ladyfish I catch late in the day for bait. I cut them up and double bag them and keep them in the condo fridge. I get up at 5:00 am the following day and head to the surf for some shark action. The scariest part is I wade out 40 yards to get my bait out past the first sand bar. This is prime feeding grounds for Bull, Sand, Spinner, and Blacktips. I always fear that first cast of the morning cause I know oil and blood is dripping of my bait as I wade out.

Long story short...what happened?
 
Wow brother...glad that didn't hit your main artery. I tried a couple of times surf fishing for shark at night but couldn't bring myself to wade out there and cast. In Destin the tide is low at night and requires a long wade out to sea to get the bait in the sweet spot. I went out a couple of times and knew I was rolling the dice.
 
Lots of factors involved with a snake bite. About 40-50% are dry bites. Most people that die are either small children, elderly, or in poor health. Type of snake has a lot to do with it. Size and condition of the snake is a factor. Time since snake injected venom will determine amount used.
 
I think some people are actually scared to death when they get snake bit and my go into cardiac arrest. I was called to the ER a few years ago to identify a snake. A construction worker had been bitten and had to be transported by ambulance. When the snake bit him he passed out and hit the ground. When the man came to at the hospital I spoke with him,he was still flushed and in a cold sweat. He was a good sized person (5'8" about 325). I asked where he was bit, he held out his hand and tried to show me the bite. There was no mark on his finger.











The snake was a black rat snake about 5-6 inches long.
 
Perhaps many of us should be more concerned about bee stings,
but just this past weekend a 26-yr-old man died in Chattanooga from the bite of a copperhead.

Sounds like this apparently healthy man was stone dead within a couple hours of being bitten on the arm by a copperhead.

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_193507.asp

Mr. Westbrook, 26, was pronounced dead after being taken to Erlanger Hospital.

The incident happened at the Westbrook home at 1058 Blanton Dr.

Mr. Westbrook was transported by Lifeguard EMS to Erlanger Trauma Center. which stores anti-venom for the region.

Mr. Westbrook�s death certificate lists the cause of death to be anaphylactic shock due to a snake bite.

Police said an autopsy will not be performed "because the snake bite was a witnessed event and the cause of death is not in question."
 
when I was a kid I use to take my beagle out in the woods to run rabbits about every afternoon. I had this rule once I saw the first snake I went home. Figured that was my first gimme for the day did not want to push my luck.

I don't see snakes that often but always wear snake boots now. Never been ejected from a car either but still wear my seat belt.I kind of look at it the same way.
 

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