Approximately 5.8 billion people live in regions around the world that place them at risk for being bitten by “medically important” snakes — meaning venomous species whose bite can have dangerous and potentially life-threatening consequences. Most rattlesnake venom causes hemotoxity and blood-clotting disorders, which lead to disruption of the integrity of the blood vessels and uncontrolled bleeding. The bite location will swell dramatically, with up to a third of the total blood circulation diffusing into tissues. Tissue death can develop within hours to days, and can be severe, requiring long term wound management. Some species of rattlesnake venom can be worse if it is generally neurotoxic, leading to rapid paralysis of the respiratory muscles and suffocation. The combination of toxicities can lead to rapid and severe blood loss, shock, and potentially death. 

It is impossible to know, at the time of a bite, how severe the symptoms will be. In part, the severity is determined by the type of snake, the location of the bite, and how much venom was released. The amount of venom released at the time of the bite can vary widely. A snake that strikes because it perceives a great threat to its life may also deliver more venom into its fangs. According to some studies, snakes that have been “grasped” may release more venom for this reason. Not all bites are created equal. Approximately 20-25% of bites are dry, meaning no venom has been injected (this might happen if the snake had recently eaten). 30% of bites are mild, causing local pain and swelling in the bite area but no systemic symptoms. 40% of bites are severe, requiring intensive intervention and longer hospital stays. Only around 5% of bites are fatal.

If you are bitten by ANY snake, seek immediate medical attention if you do not know for absolute certain if it is venomous or not. Call 911 or get to the nearest hospital. At the hospital, snake bite victims may receive antivenin—  a medical biological product consisting of antibodies created from horses that have been immunized to the venom. Antivenin binds and neutralized venom toxins. It is extremely important in the treatment of snake envenomation, but is most effective when given within four hours of the bite. It is very expensive, and several vials may be needed in the course of treatment. There is a small risk of allergic reaction to the antivenin due to the equine origin. However, not all venomous bites require anti-venom treatment. Factors such as patient age, bite location, whether the venom is causing severe bleeding near the bite, or circulation issues will determine if anti-venom is needed. Lab tests and a period of observation in the emergency department are helpful, as the symptoms of a venomous bite may take several hours to develop. Local medical protocol will cater to the specific snakes found in a particular area, so treatment may be different from region to region.

What To Do If Bitten By A Rattlesnake:

• Call 911 or get to a hospital as quickly as possible.
• If you can do so safely, try to determine the color of the snake, any patterns it may have, or how big it is.
• Remove any kind of restrictive jewelry or clothing.
• Keep the bitten area below your head and your heart.

Ways of Prevention:

• Keep all bushes and shrubs in your yard and around your home trimmed and off the ground. This is a perfect hiding place for snakes.
• Minimize the rodent population. Rodents attract snakes.
• Rattlesnakes don't always rattle before they strike, so always be aware of your surroundings because they are very good at blending in.
• Always check shoes and boots that have been left outside before putting them on.
• Avoid hiking in tall grass. Stay on trails.
• Watch where you place your hands or where you sit, especially on rock piles or ledges.
• Wear snake gaiters with sturdy footwear to help protect lower legs.

Rattlesnakes are native to the United States. There are about 20 species, with about as many subspecies. Like most snakes, rattlers prefer warm, sunny weather and dense vegetation. They live in deserts, mountainous regions, forests, and prairies. Rattlesnakes are carnivores that eat mice, voles, chipmunks, and other small mammals. Venomous rattlesnakes are part of the Viperidae family. When they feel threatened, these snakes make rattling noises by shaking the muscles at the base of their tail to scare off predators.  The warning rattle  has made it one of the most famous snakes in the world. Rattlesnakes live in most states, and their venom can be highly toxic to humans. In fact, rattlesnakes are the leading contributor to snakebite injuries in North America!

Which states have the highest population of rattlesnakes?  Well, if you are highly fearful of snakes, head to Alaska, Hawaii, Maine or Rhode Island because those states have none!  With 14 species, Arizona has more types of rattlesnakes than any other state, followed by 12 in California. Texas has 9 species, New Mexico has 7 and Utah has 6.  There’s no denying that potentially deadly pit vipers live in 46 of the 50 states, but some states could arguably be more dangerous to live in than others, based on the annual number of snake bites that occur.

North Carolina ranks the highest in snake bites in the USA. This southeastern state’s bite rate is 157.8 bites per million population per year.  In North Carolina, there are 6 different kinds of venomous snakes: copperhead, cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake, pigmy rattlesnake, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, and eastern coral snake.

The top 6 states for reported snake bites are as follows:

    •    North Carolina–157.8 bites per million
    •    West Virginia–105.3 bites per million
    •    Arkansas–92.9 bites per million
    •    Oklahoma–61 bites per million
    •    Virginia–48.7 bites per million
    •    Texas–44.2 bites per million
     
Many experts classify the Mojave green rattlesnake, native to the Southwestern U.S. as well as Mexico, as the deadliest rattlesnake species on Earth. Its venom, which can be either hemotoxic or neurotoxic, can cause symptoms like vision impairment, difficulty swallowing and breathing, muscle weakness, severe body pain, convulsions, and death by cardiac arrest or respiratory failure if left untreated. However, it’s the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake that is responsible for the most snake bite deaths in the U.S.A.  Its venom is highly potent and can be fatal if not treated promptly. Its bite contains hemotoxic venom, capable of killing red blood cells and causing tissue damage. It can deliver 400-700 mg of venom in its bite, compared to 200-300 mg in the western diamondback rattlesnake, so its venom can lead to death. Untreated eastern diamondback rattlesnake bites have a fatality rate of 10 to 20 percent. It’s also one of the largest snakes in the U.S., growing to a max length of 8.5 feet and max weight of 34 pounds. About 25% of rattlesnake bites are "dry bites," meaning no venom was injected. But don't count on that!

How to avoid a rattlesnake bite

    •    Wear sturdy, high-top leather boots to protect the ankle area, where most bites occur.
    •    Wear snake gaiters to help protect lower legs.
    •    Stay on trails and watch where you place feet and hands, especially around logs and rocks and tall grass.
    •    Do not recreate with headphones or earbuds because you might not hear a warning rattle sound.    
    •    Do not try to catch, kill, provoke or move a rattlesnake.

What to do if bitten by a rattlesnake   

• Seek medical attention as quickly as possible, any way possible, if bitten.
• Stay calm.
• If hiking alone and help will take hours to reach you, it is a better option to slowly hike to the nearest trailhead or where you have cell reception and call 911. Report your location, when you were bitten and list of symptoms.
• Remove jewelry and tight clothing before you start to swell.
• If possible, clean the wound with soap and water. Cover it with a clean, dry dressing but don't put any pressure on the wound site.
• Symptoms of a venomous snakebite can include puncture marks, redness, swelling, bruising, bleeding or blistering around the bite, severe pain and tenderness at the site of the bite, nausea and vomiting, labored breathing, rapid heart rate, weak pulse, low blood pressure, and disturbed vision.
• If dogs are bitten by a rattlesnake, contact your veterinarian or veterinary emergency hospital as quickly as possible.

Map and other information for this article courtesy of a-z-animals.com.