An unfortunate encounter with a venomous snake - a copperhead - occurred near Latham only a few days ago. The result was a bite in which only one fang actually made it through blue jeans and a sock. The victim, Bill Vogel, was feeding a couple of pet cats. He had been on a path to a small shed, stepping back and forth several times without incident.
As he stepped off of the path to pick up a stick left by the most recent of the summer storms, Vogel felt a sharp pain, more like a sting than anything else. He commented that if he had not looked down and seen the snake, he would not have realized he had been bitten.
But, realizing he had been "snake-bit," Vogel and his wife Sally headed for an emergency room visit. After assuring the medical personnel that he knew what a copperhead looked like, they checked out his leg, giving him a tetanus injection and antibiotics. While copperhead venom seldom causes death for the victims of snakebite, infection of some other nature is a very real possibility. After all, no one knows where that snake fang has been before, but it is not likely to have been anyplace remotely sanitary.
They remained at the hospital for four or five hours while Bill was observed for possible problems which might require anti-venom therapy. Since the anti-venom is expensive, and if not carefully administered can result in side-effects, it is used only if considered necessary.
The fact that snakebites generally occur as a result of defensive action of a snake which feels threatened is of little interest to the person who has been bitten. It still means a visit to a doctor.
"It doesn't matter whether it was a bad bite or not, go to the doctor," said Vogel.
A recent increase in snakebites in Central Missouri has been attributed by some to the extremely rainy spring and summer. The rain has brought about unusual soil saturation as well as piles of debris left by retreating flood water. Not only is the saturated soil credited with forcing the legless reptilians out of their usual underground haunts, the debris provides coverage for the usually non-aggressive creatures.
Although Vogel was simply walking in the yard when he was bitten, many of the snakebites occurred when people were bothering the animal. According to Frank Drummond, Wildlife Biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), many of the snakebites recently reported in Missouri would not have happened if the snakes had been left alone. "If they hadn't picked the snake up, they probably wouldn't have been bitten," said Drummond.
Whatever the reasons, several incidents of snakebite have been reported in the state in the last few weeks. And there might have been more bites, except for the fact that Missouri has only a few venomous snake species. Although there are five listed, realistically, the likelihood of encountering anything other than an Osage Copperhead or a Timber Rattlesnake is rare in Central Missouri. For the most part, the copperhead is the one likely to be encountered.
Copperheads usually live on rocky hillsides and along forest edges, spending time among trees and brush along streams. They are also often found near old buildings. They are not an aggressive snake. They usually only strike when provoked.
Still, just to be on the safe side, look before you step, wear protective footwear and don't stick your hands under rocks or logs. And take precautions when walking near a rocky shelf or overhang. "Stay clear if possible, and always step carefully," said Drummond. "If you see a snake, leave it alone and don't try to pick it up."
Rattlesnakes are out mostly at night in the summer. In the spring and fall, rattlesnakes will be out in the daylight, sunning themselves on rocks.
MDC recommends learning how to avoid direct encounters with snakes, and remember just how important they are since snakes of all kinds, venomous and non-venomous, help control rodents and other pests.
Also remember that all snakes native to our state are protected, by The Wildlife Code of Missouri. The code treats snakes as nongame, meaning there is no open season on these animals, and it is technically unlawful to kill them. The exception is that when a venomous snake is in close association with people, someone could be bitten.
"We hope that more people realize that snakes are interesting, valuable, and, for the most part, harmless," said the MDC.