North Carolina has the most venomous snake bites of any state in the U.S., according to N.C. State University Extension. North Carolina is home to thirty-one species of non-venomous snakes and six venomous species, but the University’s herpetology experts say students shouldn’t be worried.
Dylan Kelly, a senior in animal science and vice president of the Herpetology Club, said copperheads are the most common venemous snakes in the Raleigh area, but the campus has little exposure.
“Around Raleigh, blacksnakes are the most common. In terms of venomous, it’s copperheads,” Kelly said. “Corn snakes are another [non-venomous] one … All the water snakes you would find around Raleigh are non-venomous.”
According to Jerry Barker, vice chancellor of student affairs, the campus has few snakes.
“The campus should be an area with very little exposure to snakes,” Barker said.
Kelly also said there are few snakes on campus.
“I’ve seen a few snakes around campus, but they have been earth snakes or worm snakes, less than a foot long. [These] would do more damage to themselves if they bit you,” Kelly said.
Barker said there are few to no large snakes on campus, because they do not have a food supply.
“We have a pest control person on campus. If he gets rid of mice, [then snakes] don’t have food,” Barker said.
Although they are extremely rare on campus, Barker advised students to be aware of snakes.
“I try to be real alert to snakes when I’m outdoors,” Barker said. “A person should know what a copperhead looks like, but the best thing is to stay away for all snakes.”
A way to identify a copperhead is by the shape of its head, according to Barker.
“The classic symptom is the triangle shaped head, where as a nonpoisonous snake is just like looking at the end of your finger,” Barker said.
Kelly gave advice on what to do if you see a snake in the wild.
“Give it its space. If you have to go in that direction, go around it,” Kelly said. “If you can’t ID it from a distance, don’t get closer and risk endangering yourself.”
Kelly explained that all snakes will be attacked if provoked, but not all snake bites are as serious as others.
“All wild snakes will [bite], because you are invading their territory. But, a bite from a non-venomous snake is superficial. At worst, it would need to be disinfected and have a bandage put on it,” Kelly said.
However, snake bites should be taken seriously if you do not know whether or not the snake was venomous.
“If you couldn’t get an ID [of the snake], go to the hospital anyway,” Kelly said. “More than likely, if you were bit by a venomous snake, you’ll know within the first thirty minutes.”
According to Kelly, you should not try to suck the venom out of the bite, you should not try to bleed the venom out, and you should not apply a tourniquet. These methods can complicate treatment of the bite.
Chris Stuart, a senior in biochemistry, said that he had not seen a snake on campus, but he had seen some around Raleigh.
“It’s usually when I’m hiking,” Stuart said. “I’ve seen a copperhead … The pattern is pretty distinctive. If [someone] knew what to look for, it’s pretty easy to know that it’s poisonous.”
Austin Moss, a freshman in communication, also has not seen a snake on campus. However, he has seen snakes near his house in north Raleigh.
“In our backyard, [I have seen] a couple black snakes and a worm snake or two,” Moss said. “We live right by some woods.”
Moss said that he is weary of copperheads.
“I’m going to assume if [a snake] is not a black snake or worm snake, that it’s venomous,” Moss said.
