These 2 Snake Species are Florida’s Main Snakebite Offenders, a New Study Reveals

The Sunshine State, also known as Florida, is well-known for its oranges, beaches, and, unfortunately, snakes. Florida holds the record for the 7th highest number of snake species in the nation. With this being said, it is no surprise that researchers at the University of Florida (UF) had no shortage of snake bites to survey for a recent study.

Even though snakes are one of the most lethal animals in the world, snake bite research is limited. Thankfully, researchers from the University of Florida surveyed 546 venomous snake bite cases in Florida between 2002 and 2022. This survey explains many aspects of snakebites, including which snakes bite the most, who is getting bitten and why, and how this has changed over two decades. A key part of this study presents information on how to avoid snake bites and what to do post-bite.

So, get ready to slither into 20 years of Florida snakebite data and highlight areas where it can teach us.

Inside the 20-Year Study

The UF study discovered that most of the snake bite data collected from the Shands Hospital in Gainsville FL, occurred in male patients, mostly adults ages 21-65 (64.9%), followed by children/adolescents ages 0-20 (28.3%), with seniors >65 years being the smallest percentage (6.8%).

This study shows venomous snakes are a real public health problem in Florida. Florida contains six venomous snake species, and these incidents are common. The CDC reports that about 7,000-8,000 people across the country sustain bites from venomous snakes each year in the U.S. Although the fatality rate is low, many survivors experience permanent injuries like lost fingers or tissue damage. As for the behavior that led them to the snake bite, most individuals were intentionally handling or pestering the snake. Other cases were victims who were simply unlucky and stumbled upon the snake. In addition, most of the victims were bitten on the hand/finger. Second to this was the foot/toe.

In areas where there is poor access to healthcare, bites can prove fatal. So while Florida’s medical care keeps most bites survivable, understanding and preventing bites is still important.

Who Are The Usual Suspects?

Even though Florida is home to a variety of venomous snakes, two species stood out as the chief culprits in 20 years of data: pygmy rattlesnakes and cottonmouths (water moccasins). Together, these two snakes accounted for over half of all identified bites in this study. Let’s dive into some details about these two snakes.

Cottonmouth/Water Moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorous)

According to the study, this snake made up 27.1% of snake bites from 2002-2022. Cottonmouths are defensive snakes that can grow fairly large (2-4 feet) and are infamous for the cotton white lining in their mouths that they show when threatened. Their habits of basking near waterways or hiding in brush can lead to people accidentally getting too close.

Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius)

The pygmy rattlesnakes are small snakes found commonly throughout Florida. According to the study, they accounted for 27.8% of all bites of the data from 2002 to 2022. These snakes lurk in flatwoods, palmetto scrubs, and even some suburban areas. The beautiful coloration of gray and dark blotches helps them camouflage against the forest floor.

Although these two were the most prevalent in the study, Florida has four other native venomous snakes that made contributions to the bite count.

• Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius) – 15.9%

• Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) – 7.9%

• Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) – 3.1%

• Southern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)- 2.9%

To add to this, about 5% of bites were from non-native (exotic) venomous snakes. In about 9% of cases, the species could not be identified. With Florida’s thriving reptile trade and hobbyist community, it might be best to keep in mind if it is venomous and out there, eventually, someone will get too close.

Bite Aftermath: Symptoms And Outcomes

What happens after a venomous snake bite? The Florida study offered a look at the outcomes for those cases over the 20 years. Most of the patients recovered, but the journey began with significant pain and treatment. Sadly, a few of the bites tragically turned fatal despite care. Not to mention, even with antivenom 10-44% of rattlesnake bite survivors have lasting injuries.

Typical symptoms included swelling around the bite, numbness or tingling, and nausea. These reactions are common to venom, which usually affects tissue and blood. Even though these patients eventually ended up at the hospital, 10% of them tried some form of inappropriate first aid (tourniquets, cutting the wound, suction of venom) before seeking professional help. In this study, the average time from bite to antivenom was quite delayed: patients took about 2.03 hours to reach the hospital, then an additional 4.22 hours before the antivenom was administered. Why does it take 6 hours from bite to antivenom in these cases? In some cases, the bite may seem mild at first, and that could potentially cause this delay. Since this venom can cause rapid degradation of tissues and blood vessels, it is not worth the gamble to wait it out.

Evidence-Based Tips To Help Avoid Snakebites (And What To Do If Bitten)

1. Leave snakes alone. Do not harass or handle snakes.

2. Watch where you put your hands and feet. Snakes like to hide in tall grass, leaf piles, and under logs.

3. Wear protective clothing like long pants and boots.

4. Educate the family on basic snake safety.

5. Be cautious in snake habitats.

Even with all these precautions, there is still a possibility of encountering a snake. In that case, don’t try to kill it. Try giving it space and backing away slowly. If you happen to get bitten, make sure to get medical help immediately. Remove any constricting clothing and try to keep the wound elevated if possible. Most Florida hospitals are well-equipped for snake bites, but as these bites are time-sensitive, the goal is to get medical help as soon as possible.

Lessons And Looking Ahead

The more we understand snake and human interactions, the better we can avoid negative encounters. This study gives us the data to drive these lessons home. Most bites can be avoided by not doing something risky, staying alert, and respecting the snake’s space. For those unfortunate encounters that still occur, swift action can save life and limb. In Florida’s great outdoors, it is crucial to keep these insights in mind.

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