---
title: "Putting the Bite on You"
description: "GRAPHIC IMAGE WARNING: Warm weather is snakebite season, as people head out to go fishing, hunting, camping and hiking - enjoying the great outdoors. Watch out for these deadly snakes."
date: "2010-04-09"
modified: "2010-04-09"
authors:
  - name: "Bob McNally"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/bob-mcnally/"
url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/survival/warm-weather/2010/04/putting-bite-you/"
categories:
  - "Survival"
  - "Survival Skills"
---

# Putting the Bite on You

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo3001015.copperhead_bite.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/5K6TSPCHBMFRT2BJMXBS4T5M4U.jpg>)
*While many people dismiss the lethality of \<strong\>copperheads\</strong\>, the pain and suffering following a bite is something no one wants to go through.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo300101.E.diamondback.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/OCY47OM2IUGKJ6F2SM3IHRWJ4Y.jpg>)
***WARNING**: Some graphic photos of results of snake bites within! Venomous snakes are a part of the outdoors experience through much of North America. And while millions of sportsmen go their whole lives without ever encountering such snakes, there are 8,000 bites annually from them in the U.S. On average, only five people die every year from snakebites in the U.S., but the anguish resulting from a venomous snakebite is something no one wants to endure. Deformities resulting from skin and tissue damage, as well as loss of limbs, are common with snakebites. In the spirit of "let's be careful out there," here are some insights into America's venomous snakes, and the consequences of their bite. The **eastern diamondback rattlesnake** is the largest venomous snake in North America, with some reported to be more than 8 feet long.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo300102.Eastern_Dback_snake029.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/EFU3PT72WFTCRA5DVOPLTG7DX4.jpg>)
*While a 6-foot **eastern diamondback** is huge, smaller snakes can have a head the size of a clenched fist, with fangs over an inch long. They pack a wallop.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo300103._Western_Diamondback_Rattlesnake_28x36__copy.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/3CVIGT3ZS32CEP3YSJRSTXSONY.jpg>)
*The **western diamondback rattlesnake** is another impressive pit viper, reaching lengths of 6 feet or more. Large diamond-shaped markings along the back are similar to an eastern diamondback, but a distinctive tail marking, with black and white bands, set it apart.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo300104.western_diamondback_bite1.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/SQFRHGPGL7BC5JSB32OZM2XGHE.jpg>)
*Here's the result of a **western diamondback rattlesnake** bite. The pain is obvious, and the future use of this ring finger may be in peril.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo300105.western-diamondback-rattle-snake-19447.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/ZZYB5GRQ3ZBGSDJ5WRGVYWVH4Y.jpg>)
*"Don't Tread On Me!" The **western diamondback rattler** ranges from California and Mexico, and east and north to Arkansas.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo300106.western_diamondback_bite3.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/PZCXQXQTIDGFSUII2G5LW36R7M.jpg>)
*Note the painful tissue damage to the finger resulting from a **western diamondback rattlesnake** bite.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo300107.Pygmy_rattler1.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/VK2O5WXSI6S6L67MK2LBHMMXU4.jpg>)
*The diminutive **pygmy rattlesnake** is so small, its rattle is almost silent when it's buzzing furiously to warn away danger. But don't overlook the deadly threat this very aggressive snake poses to outdoorsmen.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo300108.pygmy_rattler.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/LWTMCJVJQXXVOMPUG7FMFB3EJE.jpg>)
*While rarely more than 2 feet long, the **pygmy rattlesnake** can be real trouble, as the look of this man's arm following a bite can attest. Pygmies can be found from eastern North Carolina through Florida, and west to Texas and Oklahoma.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo300109.cottonmouth2.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/NVORXEBQCWHJ7URIZ6AQNJ3YKM.jpg>)
*The U.S. venomous snake with a real bad-boy reputation is the **cottonmouth water moccasin**. It can be extremely aggressive, and when threatened it will "display", as shown here with its white mouth agape in a warning posture.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo3001010.cottonmouth20Moccasin.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/Z4F66QI3QCEM5P6EM6JFQELWRU.jpg>)
*The open white mouth of a moccasin is sure to get your attention.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo3001011.florida_mocc_bite.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/EX4RG33Q5VYJWTD5PWKRIGPI2Q.jpg>)
***Moccasin** bites are especially dirty, providing doctors with more of a challenge in treating a wound, along with standard aggressive antivenin treatment.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo3001012.Cottonmouth.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/GLJNZFQGHKLHREIMLTK5U4KTUU.jpg>)
*There are three subspecies of **cottonmouths** in the U.S., and while they can vary greatly in color and markings, they all possess a rather large, stocky body that quickly diminishes to a rat-like tail, as shown in this photo. They are common in the Southeast, but range into Tennessee, Oklahoma and Texas.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo3001013.fla_._mocc_bite_2.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/VRIG4E5MEPDTHFRBRFQXDEWLAI.jpg>)
*This bite victim's swelling upper thigh is measured by doctors at the hospital, the results written on the skin with markers. This aids in learning the progressive effectiveness of antivenin treatment.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo3001014.copperhead.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/KK4VEAUSCSYV63FMUA6Z6E76HI.jpg>)
*Herpetologists say no fewer than five subspecies of **copperhead snakes** live in North America. All are venomous and have distinctive, beautiful markings.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo3001016.Ozark_Copperhead_Snake.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/UGP4ZFGWS23OUUHB7QEDQ2TJIQ.jpg>)
***Copperheads**, which rarely reach 3 feet in length, are found in a wide range of habitats--from the mountains of Pennsylvania to the deserts of west Texas and northern Mexico.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo3001017.copper_5.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/DBMHLF6OLDDJTPRWBWGJY3OZXI.jpg>)
*This **copperhead** bite was not lethal, but it sure was painful. Full use of this finger was a long time coming.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo3001018.copperhead-snake-11386.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/AIMLMB2HEGCKUC2QNZBHXJVBMA.jpg>)
*A **copperhead** should not be underestimated, even though its bite is usually less severe than a rattlesnake's.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo3001019.venomous-coral-snake.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/NEUDYDZCPQYAMC7F4OMX6MJKEE.jpg>)
*"Red touch yellow, kill a fellow" --words to live by when identifying a **coral snake**, which potentially is the most deadly of all North American venomous snakes. It has neurotoxic venom, just like a cobra.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo3001020.babycoralsnake.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/JTLK7JSMYPQWUNYMR3UCKWY5KQ.jpg>)
*Because of the small size of the **coral snake** (mostly under 30 inches), it is difficult for it to open its mouths wide enough to strike a person. But bites happens every year, and antics such as this are foolhardy.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo3001021.coral_western.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/QV2TJZO5XNVFAHEYBQISOT5RTM.jpg>)
*There are three varieties of **coral snake** in the U.S.: the eastern, western and Texas. All are potentially lethal.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo3001022._prairie_rattlesnake.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/RYF2PLTQWJVAG3XF7XRTHM2YE4.jpg>)
*The **prairie rattlesnake** rarely exceeds 3 feet in length, but it's found widely throughout the central part of North America, from Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia down south through the Mountain States into Arizona, Texas and Mexico.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo3001023.prairie_rattler.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/YUJTBCRLL44OC33BUPPCCFPYXI.jpg>)
*Though comparatively small, don't underestimate the pain a **prairie rattlesnake** can inflict. The thumb bite this victim has will take a long rehab to fully heal.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo3001024.canebrake_timber_rattler.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/3VBGLOJCA4MCAMSME6HNM554TY.jpg>)
*The **timber rattlesnake** has several regional color patterns, this one being the beautiful and highly camouflaged southern, or canebrake, version. Reaching lengths of 6 feet, it's at home in a wide geographic area, from Maine to Florida, Minnesota to Texas.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo3001025.mojave_rattlesnake.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/K7U27BJFMAOP2GV3MFTBVTJX2M.jpg>)
*The **Mojave rattlesnake**, found in Arizona and California, has an especially troubling venom mix. It has a neurotoxic venom component, which can cause respiratory paralysis, similar to the results of a coral snake and cobra bite.*

## Author
Bob McNally has been an outdoor writer since shortly after the earth’s crust cooled. He has written 12 outdoor books, more than 5,000 outdoor magazine stories (including many for Outdoor Life) and more newspaper outdoor columns and features than there are hairs on a grizzly bear.