What are the states with most snake bites in America?
The United States of America is, by size, the third largest country in the world. It is a land of cultural and natural diversity. Landscapes vary from tropical beaches of Florida, prairies, all the way to the cold Alaska. Different climates impact flora and fauna of each state. Each year snake bites are on the rise, especially during springtime and summer. In the USA there are between 8,000 and 10,000 reported snakebites annually, out of which 30% are venomous. However, since medicine is well-developed in today’s world, there are approximately only 5 deaths annually. In this list, you can take a look at the states with most snake bites in America. Venomous snakes are native to every state except Hawaii, Maine and Alaska with around 20 venomous species mostly present in the southwestern United States. If you are interested which states are home to the most venomous snakes, you can take a look at our list of States with the Most Venomous Snakes in America.
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The above-mentioned number of annual snake bites might be underestimating the real situation, since many snake bites are not reported. You should be most careful between April and September when the weather is warmer and most people choose to spend time outdoors and explore beautiful nature around them. The circumstances prior to the snakebites usually involve attempt of handling the snake rather than the reptile’s aggressive behavior. Hence, 98% of snake bites are located on extremities. There are a couple of precautions you might take in order to avoid snake bites. Firstly, avoid tall grass and stick to the trails and when exploring the wilderness around you, wear heavy boots and long pants. They will protect your ankles from possible sprains and long pants will reduce the possibility of having to deal with ticks or snake bites. If you spend a lot of time hiking, it might be a good idea to have Antivenom Kit with you. Wondering where to buy it? You can take a look at our list of Best Antivenom Kits on Amazon and Walmart.
Since a lot of snake bites go unreported it was very hard to find exacts statistics of snake bites per state. Some websites, including CBS News state that one in four attacks occur in Florida or Texas, thus pinning these states on top of our list of states with most snake bites in America. However, I’ve decided to create this list according to a comprehensive study by Dr. Joann Schulte et al. Dr. Schulte, study lead author and medical epidemiologist, who collected and analyzed data from all 50 states in regards to reported snake bites in children from 2000 to 2013. Dr. Schulte and her team presented a map of snake bites per state which will be used as main criteria for rating states on this list. Numbers on the map show rate of venomous snakebites per million population aged ≤18 years. States with higher number of snake bites are ranked higher on our list as well. Now let’s take a look at the list of states with most snake bites in America:
10. Florida
Despite the fact that one-quarter of snake bites occurred in Florida or Texas, rate for total snake bites and venomous snake bites was not the highest. This is the reason Florida is on number ten of our list. Rate of snake bites per million in Florida is 187.4 and for Texas it is 187.3 which means that Texas got out of our list by a hair. According to the information on Central Florida Zoo, Florida is home to 44 non-venomous and 6 venomous snake species. Since snakes are natural predators, they provide an important role in nature’s ecosystem by controlling the population of other animals in the area. Hot and humid weather in Florida is heaven for snakes and amongst the most frequent that you might come across are: Yellow Rat, Red Rat, Garter, Florida King, Florida Pine, Black Race, Ringneck, Scarlet King, Eastern Indigo, Banded Water, Brown Water and Eastern Hognose. If you live in the Sunshine State make sure to avoid six venomous snakes at all costs. These are: Southern Copperhead, Eastern Cottonmouth, Timber Rattlesnake, Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake, Eastern Diamondback and Eastern Coral Snake.
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9. Virginia
The rate of snake bites per million in Virginia that’s up next on the list of states with most snake bites in America is 236.7. Virginia is home to cca. 30 different species of snakes out of which three are venomous. All three belong to the family of pit vipers. Besides being extremely dangerous, pit vipers are also very interesting snakes. They have pit organ (named pit vipers because of it) which allows them to sense infrared radiation from warm bodies of their prey. This basically means that snakes have infrared sight which makes them dangerous during the day and night. Rattlesnakes can sense temperature above 28 degrees Celsius, which is an average temperature of a mouse distanced 1 meter from the snake. Three venomous pit-vipers in Virginia are: Eastern Cottonmouth, Northern Copperhead and Timber Rattlesnake.
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8. Mississippi
Mississippi, the next one on the list of states with most snake bites in America is largely a rural state, bordering both the sea and the Mississippi River. This makes it a perfect home for a number of land snakes and a variety of amphibious snakes, including the feared Cottonmouth. The rate of snake bites per million in Mississippi is 279.7. According to Cobras, Mississippi is home to 49 different species. Mississippi State Department of Health published a brochure about venomous animals of Mississippi, according to which there are 9 venomous snake species. These include: Eastern Diamondback, Eastern Cottonmouth, Western Cottonmouth, Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake, Western Pigmy Rattlesnake, Southern Copperhead, Eastern Coral Snake, Timber Rattlesnake (or Canebrake Rattlesnake) and Carolina Pigmy Rattlesnake.
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7. Arizona
We are continuing our list of states with most snake bites in America with Arizona that is home to many venomous animals, including snakes. The rate of snake bites per million in Arizona is 297.7. Various sites list different numbers of venomous snakes in Arizona but it revolves around 18 venomous predators. Amazing fact for those of you who live in Arizona and like outdoors is that there are 13 recognized species in Arizona, 17 in the US and 36 in the whole world. You should educate yourself about those which you need to avoid including: Arizona Black Rattlesnake, Desert Massasauga Rattlesnake, Mojave Desert Sidewinder, Tiger Rattlesnake, Arizona Coral snake, Grand Canyon Rattlesnake, Northern Blacktail Rattlesnake, Twin Spotted Rattlesnake, Arizona Ridgenose Rattlesnake, Great Basin Rattlesnake, Prairie Rattlesnake, Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, Banded Rock Rattlesnake, Hopi Rattlesnake, Sonoran Desert Sidewinder, Colorado Desert Sidewinder, Mojave Rattlesnake and Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake. You can find additional information on every one of these species on Snakes of Arizona website.
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6. New Mexico
Snakes are amongst the most hated animals in New Mexico. Only 8 out of 46 snake species found in New Mexico are venomous and potentially dangerous to humans. In this state, most common venomous snakes are rattlesnakes (7 out of 8) and there is one venomous coral snake. When it comes to the rate of snake bites per million, it is 303.9 in New Mexico. Venomous snakes in New Mexico include: Western Diamond Rattlesnake, Northern Black-tailed Rattlesnake, Mottled Rock Rattlesnake, Prairie Rattlesnake, Mojave Rattlesnake, Desert Massasauga, Animas Ridgenose Rattlesnake and Arizona Coral Snake.
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5. Missouri
Missouri is characterized by a variety of landscape including prairies, valleys, swamps, and marshes. Snakes like to dwell in such places and Missouri is home to 46 species, so it is no surprise to find it among the states with most snake bites in America. According to the brochure on snakes in Missouri area published by Missouri Department of Conservation, there are 5 venomous species in Missouri and all of them are pit vipers. These include: Osage Copperhead, Western Cottonmouth, Timber Rattlesnake, Eastern Massasauga and Western Pigmy Rattlesnake. The rate of snakebites per million in Missouri is 306.5. Despite the fact that there are only 5 venomous species, some of them are frequently encountered, especially the copperhead. Once again, it is important to note that if you encounter any of the snakes listed here, the best choice is to stay away from it. If you don’t touch the snake, it probably won’t touch you as well.
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4. North Carolina
The rate of snakebites per million in North Carolina is 320.1. There are 37 species of snakes throughout North Carolina, out of which 6 are venomous. Five out of six venomous snakes are pit vipers and the last one is Eastern Coral Snake. The venom of this snake is the most toxic venom produced by snakes that inhabit the area of North Carolina. Luckily this snake is rarely seen due to its secretive nature. Other venomous snakes from this area include: Southern Copperhead, Timber Rattlesnake, Western Pigmy Rattlesnake, Eastern Diamondback and Eastern Cottonmouth.
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3. Louisiana
The state of Louisiana that ranks third on our list of states with most snake bites in America is home to 54 snake species. Most of them are not dangerous to humans or livestock since only 7 out of these are venomous snakes. If you are planning to visit Louisiana and spend time in nature, we advise you to take a look at Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries website, where you can find out everything you need to know about local wildlife and snakes. Seven venomous species in Louisiana include: Eastern Coral Snake (or Harlequin Coral Snake), Timber Rattlesnake, Southern Copperhead, Western Cottonmouth, Eastern Diamondback, Western Pigmy Rattlesnake and Texas Coral Snake. Despite the fact that there are only 5 venomous species of snakes in Louisiana, the rate of snake bites per million is 354.
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2. Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s rate of snake bites per million is 383.2. Out of 46 species native to Oklahoma, only seven pose a threat to humans. These include: Southern Copperhead, Western Cottonmouth, Timber Rattlesnake, Prairie Rattlesnake, Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, Western Massasauga and Western Pigmy Rattlesnake. Learning to recognize venomous snakes can save your life and life of your family member if you happen to meet one of these venomous snakes. Once again, the best thing you can do is walk away and be at a safe distance from the snake, non-venomous or venomous.
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1. West Virginia
We’ve finally come to the top of our list of 10 states with most snake bites in America. West Virginia takes the spot number one with a rate as high as 421.4 bites per million. It is interesting that West Virginia is home to 20 species of snakes, out of which only 2 are venomous: Timber Rattlesnake and Northern Copperhead. However, since snake bites are o frequent in this area, it is crucial to know how to behave if bitten. The first thing is to try and memorize how the snake looks like so that the physicians can identify it (in case you don’t identify it yourself) and administrate the proper antivenin. Make sure to call the ambulance and do not try to suck the poison out. We hope that this list will help you to learn to identify venomous snakes in your area, because proper identification can definitely save your life. To repeat once more: In case you see a snake, leave it be. They do not like to be bothered and will attack mostly if they have to defend themselves.
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