Story courtesy of the Tyler Morning Telegraph
by Andy Taylor
With cool temperatures and rainfall existing only in the distant memories of weary Texans, it seems the ubiquitous search for food and water is drawing creatures closer together. Austin health care officials report the drought conditions are sending venomous snakes into the city to scavenge for man-made resources.
So far, East Texas seems to have avoided a reptilian invasion, as area hospitals report no increase in venomous bites.
However, the same cannot be said for Austin, where medical staffs reportedly have seen a 14 percent increase in venomous bites and stings this year.
Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin reports a 46 percent increase in children treated, while three University Medical Center Brackenridge patients have died of venomous bites since May 2010.
Typically, no more than one or two snakes bite victims die annually in the entire state, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
"We're not experiencing the same thing" as Austin, said Dr. Mark Anderson, an emergency care physician at Mother Frances Hospital. "Part of it may be that Austin's on the other side of the dry line and is maybe experiencing even more of the drought effects."
Anderson said he could not remember the last snake bite fatality at Mother Frances.
East Texas Medical Center reported treating only seven venomous bites this summer and 10 since January. That's down from 13 venomous bites in 2010, spokeswoman Rebecca Berkley said.
Though he described drought conditions as an over-used and often misguided explanation for routine snake activity, State Herpetologist Andy Gluesenkamp said the theory has scientific footing.
Snakes, like many animals, struggle when vital resources become scarce, he said.
"They're looking for food, water and shelter," he said. "When we have an extreme protracted drought like what we've been experiencing this year, wildlife can do weird things. You'll get animals that normally wouldn't go near residences showing up" at neighborhood homes he said.
But when snakes encroach upon the sanctity of an East Texan's lawn, they are not always looking for water, he said.
Often, watered lawns serve as a summertime oasis for frogs and toads, which Gluesenkamp said are prime targets for hungry copperheads.
Homeowners that water their lawns more frequently than their neighbors are especially prone to reptile activity, he said.
However, even those who parch their grass are not immune.
"There are ways that you can minimize the frequency of unwanted interactions, but I don't know if there's a good way to snake-proof your yard or your house," he said. "What I tell people is that it's important to practice good yard hygiene."
Gluesenkamp recommends homeowners screen the area under porches and ensure pier and beam houses are secure of unwanted entry points.
Also, avoid keeping wood piles near the house, as they provide ideal shelter for snakes and prey, he said.
If you do find a snake, do not panic.
"Most of the time if you encounter a snake walking around out in the woods or in your yard, it's going to be a non-venomous snake," he said. "All of the time, that snake wants nothing to do with you."
Gluesenkamp also said attempting to kill every snake you find is unnecessary and counterproductive.
"A large number of snake bites, the victim is bitten on the hand," he said. "That's usually when they're holding a broom or a rock or something."
Instead of searching for the nearest weapon, look for the safest way to get away, he said.
If contact is unavoidable, individuals may determine if a snake is venomous by checking for key characteristics.
The dangerous snakes commonly found in East Texas include copperheads, cottonmouths and timber rattlesnakes, all of which are pit viper species, he said. Coral snakes also may be seen, but are slightly less common.
Pit vipers feature stout, rough-scaled bodies and chunky, angled heads that some describe as diamond-shaped, Gluesenkamp said.
Coral snakes are much brighter with a red, yellow and black color pattern. They are often confused with similarly colored, yet harmless milk snakes — hence the rhyme, "Red on black, friend of Jack; red on yellow, kill a fellow."
Dr. Anderson said anyone bitten by a venomous snake should avoid attempting to treat the wound themselves.
"The most effective treatment for people that get bit in the field is a set of car keys," he said. "Have somebody drive you to the emergency department so we can evaluate the bite. We don't recommend people do any cutting or sucking the venom, any of those types of things. In fact, a lot of times trying to cut results in more tissue damage than what the snake would usually cause."
