Did you know that the fear of snakes is known as ophidiophobia?Missouri is located in the mid-western region of the United States and has a wide range of natural habitats, making it home to numerous wild animals. Missouri is home to one of the most poisonous snakes in the world.It is estimated that there are a total of 50 species of snakes that are found in Missouri, most of which are non-lethal and are not dangerous to human beings.There has always been a stigma around snakes; snakes have always been portrayed as deceitful, cunning, and possibly dangerous. You’ll be surprised to know that more people have died in Missouri of dog attacks than of snake bites. There are less than 20,000 cases reported worldwide of people dying from snake bites every year. In the US this number has always been below thirty.Psychologists believe that the fear of snakes is not natural or hereditary but is in fact acquired. Folklore and literature have often described snakes as evil and even satanic. Even the old testament has related snakes to the devil. This is clearly evident in the Adam and Eve story, where Eve was tempted by the snake to eat the forbidden fruit. But, people must understand that snakes are creatures that need to be understood and protected; that is why the state of Missouri forbids hunting snakes and has classified them as non-game so they cannot be killed except in certain specific circumstances.After reading about Missouri’s venomous snakes and non-venomous snakes, also check out do snakes sleep and do snakes poop.Non-Venomous Snakes Of MissouriAs we mentioned above, most of Missouri’s snakes that are found in the wild are non-venomous and pose no danger to human life. A harmless snake also helps in keeping the number of pests in check as snakes mainly feed on rodents and other crop-eating small animals.There are reportedly 43 non-venomous snake species in Missouri such as the Mississippi green water snake (Nerodia cyclopion), the rough green snake (Opheodrys aestivus), the western smooth earth snake (Virginia valeriae elegans), the plain-bellied water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster), the prairie ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus arnyi), the western mud snake (Farancia abacura reinwardtii) and several others.Venomous Snakes Of MissouriNow that we know the names of the non-venomous snakes that are found in Missouri, let us take a closer look at the six of Missouri’s venomous snakes that are found in the region and understand a bit about their unique characteristics.Eastern copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix) are one of the most commonly spotted venomous snakes in Missouri. This common venomous snake is usually found in hilly and sandy areas of Missouri and usually builds its nests in abandoned buildings and is seen crawling along streams during the day. The snake venom of copperhead bites is usually considered mild as compared to other poisonous snakes of the region but a copperhead snake bite should receive immediate medical attention.Northern cottonmouth snakes (Agkistrodon piscivorus) are one of the most poisonous snakes that live in Missouri. These snakes are jet black in color and are also popularly known as the water moccasin. The water moccasin is usually found in moist areas like swamps and places near water bodies. These large snakes have a fatal bite and can easily kill their prey in a matter of minutes.Timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) are found all over the state of Missouri and are the largest poisonous reptile in the state. These snakes are shy and like to stay away from humans. They generally build their nests in hillsides and pits where they can’t be easily spotted. They have the ability to perfectly camouflage in their surroundings. Their bite can be extremely fatal for the victim, but there have never been many cases of them biting or killing humans. They generally feed on small animals like rodents and birds.Eastern massasaugas (Sistrurus catenatus) are poisonous water snakes that are locally referred to as swamp rattlers and anecdotal evidence suggests that these snakes live in marshy areas and around water streams. These snakes have the staple rattle at the end of their tail and shiver when faced with danger. These snakes have been mentioned as an Endangered species by the state of Missouri and have possibly become Extinct, as they have not been spotted by anyone in many years.The prairie massasauga (Sistrurus tergeminus tergeminus), as the name suggests, lives in prairies and other wetlands in northern Missouri. These venomous snakes usually hide in crayfish burrows where they camouflage and are protected from harsh weather conditions and predators. They usually feed on small snakes, rodents, and eggs. They have been enlisted as an Endangered species by the state of Missouri and are on the verge of extinction due to the drying up of wetlands and deforestation and conversion of prairies.The western pygmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius streckeri) is a beautiful snake that is very shy in nature and despises human contact. These snakes like to hide under rock beds and sandpits and make a small hissing sound. Although the bite of these snakes is not fatal to humans, it is quite dangerous and requires medical attention. These snakes are one of the smallest rattlesnakes in America and have rarely been encountered by humans.Identification Of Missouri Venomous SnakesIf you live in Missouri and are exceptionally fond of outdoor activities like camping, hunting and even going for a run in the woods, it is an absolute necessity for you to understand how to identify a venomous snake.There are some things that you can look out for that will help you determine if a snake is dangerous. Venomous snakes of Missouri generally belong to the category of pit vipers. They have this name because they have a pit between their eyes and nostrils to detect their prey.Venomous Missouri snakes usually tend to have vertical slits in their eyes, unlike non-venomous snakes that have rounded pupils. Venomous snakes tend to have a triangular head. Although this might not be the best method to determine if a snake is poisonous, if you see a snake with triangular head, be cautious.Non-venomous snakes generally have two sets of scales that taper down the underside of their tail, while venomous snakes have only a single line of scales with the famous rattle at the end.Snakes From Surrounding StatesMissouri is surrounded by eight states on all sides which are home to many poisonous and non-venomous snakes. It is very important to be able to identify where the snake is from to initiate proper treatment if you are bitten.Some poisonous snakes belonging to the neighboring states of Missouri are as follows:Arkansas - Osage copperhead, western cottonmouth, timber rattlesnakes, western pygmy rattlesnake, Texas corral snakeOklahoma poisonous snakes - copperhead, western cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake, massasauga, western pygmy rattlesnake, prairie rattlesnake, and western diamondback rattlesnakeKansas poisonous snakes - prairie rattlesnake, massasauga, timber rattlesnake, copperheadIllinois poisonous snakes - timber rattlesnake, massasauga, cottonmouth, copperheadIowa poisonous snakes - timber rattlesnake, massasauga, copperhead, prairie rattlesnakeNebraska poisonous snakes - timber rattlesnake, massasauga, copperhead, prairie rattlesnakeKentucky poisonous snakes - Osage copperhead, western cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake, western pygmy rattlesnakeTennessee poisonous snakes - Osage copperhead, western cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake, western pygmy rattlesnakeManagement Of Missouri Snake BitesChances of a snake biting humans is very rare. Most snakes found in the area of Missouri are not dangerous and do not possess any snake venom in their fangs.But in case you get bitten by a venomous snake, you should know how to properly manage the snake bite before getting proper medical treatment. Here are some things you can do to provide first aid:Remove all sorts of jewelry, watches, rings, or tight clothes from the affected area as the area can get swollen.Try to immobilize the affected area, which means that you should tightly wrap a bandage around the affected area twice, in order to cut off blood flow and to stop the venom from spreading.Try to keep the affected area far below the heart to prevent the poisoned blood from reaching the major artery and stopping the heart.Stay absolutely still in a calm and resting position as moving around too much could increase the pace of poisoning and be fatal.Do not try to treat the wound yourself and try to reach a medical health professional as soon as possible.Do not attempt to kill the snake or contain it, as it might bite you again. You must keep in mind that even dead snakes are capable of biting. Do not try to tourniquet the area too tightly as it might lead to the limb dying completely. Do not consume or apply any pain relieving or numbing medicine like ibuprofen or Advil even if you are in a lot of pain.Under no circumstances should anyone attempt to suck out the venom as it can not only lead to faster spread of the venom in the victim but can also lead to poisoning of the person sucking out the poison. Do not cut or scrape the wound or the snake bite. Touching or cutting the area can lead to infection and pus formation and can also lead to bacterial infestation which can increase the danger.Do not consume any alcohol or caffeine beverage as it can make you lose control and lead to a faster spread of the venom in your veins. Do not try to clean the wound with alcohol-laden sanitizers or antiseptic liquids. Never try to put cold running water or an ice pack on the infected area as it can lead to unwanted numbing.Prevention And Control TipsPreventing a snake bite is very easy; venomous snakes are usually not aggressive at all and tend to stay hidden away in order to escape human contact. Most snakes would not bite if left undisturbed. Snakes only bite humans if they are harassed or scared.There are some ways you can prevent and control snake bites. Try to stay away from areas which are known to have poisonous snakes. Most areas acknowledged by the government have signboards asking people to observe caution. Do not wander in such areas without any proper reason and even if you do, make sure to wear closed shoes or boots.Most venomous species tend to bite on the legs; therefore, if you are an explorer, wear long rubber or leather boots that cover your shins and lower legs. A snake will rarely bite above the legs if a person is walking.Try to stay away from isolated rock beds and logs as they are popular hiding places for snakes. Do not try to move a log or walk over it.Try to identify the snake and if snake identification is not possible then stay away from both venomous and non-venomous snakes, as both have bites that can cause severe injuries in human beings.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for poisonous snakes in Missouri, then take a look at do snakes have tails or do snakes have eyelids.
Did you know that the fear of snakes is known as ophidiophobia?
