��������

It's the time of year when more people begin to see snakes on the move.Wildlife experts say late April to September is when the slithering animals are the most active. However, you can see them year-round.There are approximately 50 species in Alabama, six of which are venomous. If you encounter a copperhead, cottonmouth, eastern coral snake, timber rattlesnake, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, or pygmy rattlesnake then stay away from it because those six are venomous."The biggest mistake people make is harassing the snake, or picking it up when they don’t know what it is," said Emily Hutto, naturalist and wildlife specialist at Jefferson County Greenways.The majority of snakebites are accidental; meaning that people happen to encounter it and get too close. However, a high number of people are bitten because they choose to interact with the snake."People will say its head is triangular, it has cat eye pupils, red touches yellow," Hutto said. Just because it has those traits doesn't necessarily mean it is the kind of snake you think it is."There are venomous snakes that don’t follow those rules. There are non-venomous snakes that have adaptations that they can mimic venomous snakes and make their head look triangular," she said.If you are bitten by a snake, doctors say you should do the following:get to an emergency roomreach out to the Alabama Poison Information Center because they can alert the emergency room ahead of your arrival"Take a deep breath because everything really is going to be okay," said Dr. William Rushton, the co-director of the UAB Comprehensive Snakebite Program.Emergency medical staff will determine if you need anti-venom treatment. If so, expect to be admitted to the hospital for observation and extremities."Once they get admitted to the hospital, we’re going to ask physical therapy to work with patients to really try and get people out of bed as early as possible," he said.Moving around is important once treatment has been given. Long-term effects of snakebites can include persistent joint swelling and bruising at the site of the bite. However, most people return to baseline one month after the bite."We do like to get antivenom in people six to eight hours of their envenomation," Rushton said.Those people who have comorbidities can be more at risk for greater, serious illness."Particularly diabetes, peripheral arterial disease that is going to increase your risk," he said. Doctors say these common myths do not work and should not be tried:attempting to suck the venom from the siteelectrocuting the personRemaining calm is a priority in a moment like this.>> FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube