Here in my home state, there are six different species of venomous snakes. Five of them belong to the Viperidae family. These are: the copperhead, the cottonmouth, and all three rattlesnake species (Timber, Canebrake (subspecies), Western Diamondback, and Western Pigmy). The last snake species belongs to the Elapidae family which includes cobras, taipans, and sea snakes. This species is the Texas coral snake.
Viperidae
The southern copperhead Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix is found throughout the southern United States and all over Arkansas. It inhabits a variety of ecosystems including upland and lowland areas. Of all the venomous snakes in Arkansas, this species has the least potent venom. If bitten by a copperhead, the odds of you dying are very slim, with a couple of exceptions. You should still seek medical treatment as vipers possess a hemotoxic venom. This venom destroys the tissue and could result in amputations. Children and the elderly are examples of people who could unfortunately succumb to this snake's venom. People who are allergic could also be in danger. Typically though, the people who are usually allergic are ones who work with or have already been bitten by venomous snakes. Copperheads have excellent camouflage and if hidden in leaf litter will rarely be seen and if spotted and provoked will generally try to flee.
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| Photo from Google Images The southern copperhead Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix |
The western cottonmouth Agkistrodon piscivorus is another viper species closely related to the copperhead. Many people claim cottonmouths are likely to chase people and sometimes they do, but this is usually during the mating season when they are the most territorial. Adult cottonmouths possess a dark blackish body coloration with an exceptionally white mouth which gives them the nickname "Cottonmouth". These snakes venom is more toxic than the copperhead, but less than rattlesnakes. Cottonmouths are generally found in lowland areas such as cypress swamps and other areas with slow-moving, shallow bodies of water.
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| Photo from Google Images Western Cottonmouth Agkistrodon piscivorus |
There are three different species of rattlesnakes here in Arkansas. These are the timber Crotalus horridus horridus; the canebrake Crotalus horridus atricaudatus (a subspecies of Timber rattlesnake); the western diamondback Crotalus atrox; and the western pigmy Sistrurus miliarius. They too inhabit a variety of habitats, and generally can all be found in areas with rocky outcrops. The venom of these snakes are more potent than that of the copperhead and the cottonmouth. With the exception of the western pygmy, when stumbling upon these snakes you'll begin to hear the rattling of their tails. This is them letting you know you're getting to close for their comfort. Next they will either try to slither away or in desperate measures, you do get too close, they will strike.
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| Photo from Google Images Timber Rattlesnake Crotolus horridus |
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| Photo from Google Images Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Crotalus atrox |
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| Photo from Google Images Western Pygmy Rattlesnake Sistrurus miliarius |
All vipers have pits that can sense the heat signatures of another animals. This is what makes them so special compared to other snakes. They actually have thermal vision or heat vision and this allows them to have an extremely accurate strike. Compared to elapids, vipers strike much much faster and like I said, they rarely miss so if you see one - keep your distance and let it continue on it's way.
Elapidae
Last, but not least, is Arkansas and North America's most venomous snake: the coral snake. Here in Arkansas we only have one species of coral snake, the Texas coral snake. This snake is recognized by the patterns of red, black, and yellow along it's body. The saying, "Red and yellow - kill a fellow, red and black - friend of Jack" helps to identify this snake. The only problem is, there are several different species of coral snakes across the globe and not all of them have these colors. So the best thing to do is not pick the snake up in the first place. This way, your odds of getting bit are very slim. The coral snake has a neurotoxic venom which works very rapidly compared to the necrotic venom of the vipers. Some snakes though possess both. Neurotoxic venom shuts down the cardiovascular system and can cause paralysis, cardiac arrest, stroke, blindness, and deafness. Currently, there is no antivenom for the coral snake so if you see one, be sure to leave it alone!
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| Photo from Google Images Texas Coral Snake Micrurus fulvius |
Most people believe that all snakes are evil, but I'm here to tell you that is simply not true. The primary food of snakes is rodents. What do rodents like to eat? Our food, crops. Without snakes, it would be very difficult to control rodent populations even with hawks and other natural predators. In Vietnam, farmers purposefully release Burmese pythons into rice fields to keep rodents from eating their family's livelihood away. Some people also don't want rodenticide all over there food so snakes provide a biological pest control at absolutely no cost to farmers. All they want is peace, and respect, and occasionally a good rodent meal.
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| Photo from Google |
Another reason snakes (particularly venomous) are important is due to their applications in human medicine. Studies are finding that cancer and neurological diseases can actually be treated using snake venom. Copperhead venom in particular is being used to destroy malignant tumors. It's pretty amazing to see what these scaly and misunderstood creatures are capable of doing when given the chance to live and be respect and not trampled or killed upon sight. These are some of the most fascinating creatures on the planet that have been around for millions of years and that I believe God has for us to love and cherish just like any other animal too.
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