Moselle's Snake Safety Information

Snake Awareness
Recognizing Venomous Snakes
Treating Your Dog For A Snake Bite

Thanks to Stephanie Clark, a Herpetologist who allowed us to share her information with you.

The easiest way to tell if a snake is venomous or not is the pupils of the eyes
(I know, no one wants to get that close). Round pupils are non-venomous and
elliptical or "cat-eye" pupils are venomous. This is for US snakes only. Also, aside from
coral snakes, most venomous snakes are pit vipers, they have pits or openings behind the
eye area. They tend to be heavy bodied snakes compared to non-venomous species and
have a definite neck area whereas non-venomous seem to be all one diameter for the
main length of their bodies. There are also differences in the scales under the tail, but
I won't even go there as most people won't want to look

Having said all this, the best thing to do is be wary when taking your dogs out.

ALL snakes will bite if provoked.

Even a non-venomous snake can give a nasty wound to a small dog.

Let me give some helpful info:

1. Any snake can "rattle" it's tail and sound like a rattlesnake, especially when in dry leaves.

2. Snakes can bite under water.

3. If a venomous snake bites it does not always inject
venom.

4. Most snakes will retreat if given the opportunity. The problem is, most dogs are curious and won't easily give them the opportunity.

5. Most venomous (US)snakes are ground snakes and prefer not to climb trees.

6. A lot of harmless water snakes look like venomous snakes.

7. Never put your hands or any other body part in areas where you can't see what is there, such as under rocks, logs, or lawn furniture. Snakes like cool dark places when they are not out hunting for food or a
mate.

8. Keep firewood away from your house. It attracts rodents which in turn attract snakes.

I could go on and on. However, my last tip is from my vet who deals with
snake bites on a regular basis (we live in rural North Georgia):

* If your dog is bitten by a snake, try to get a good description to give to the vet.

* Give the dog Children's Benedryl Liquid, and get the dog to the vet ASAP.

* Don't try any of the old first aid methods except for keeping the dog, and yourself, as calm as possible.

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