Snake bites are very unusual and typically occur when people are walking in leafy areas wearing sandals, picking up wood without first looking under it or intentionally harassing snakes. In the highly unlikely event that you are bitten by a venomous snake, call 911 or have someone drive you to the hospital. Do not try to catch or kill the snake. Do not attempt to apply a tourniquet, make incisions or suck the poison out of the wound. These actions likely will make your condition worse. If a venomous snake bites your dog, call your vet. Most dogs survive snakebites with proper medical treatment.

Snakes help to keep the mice population in balance and will likely move on when the prey population is diminished. To minimize the risk of being startled or bitten by a snake, be cautious when gardening or moving firewood from stacked piles. Keep pathways around your house clean so you can see cryptically colored snakes. Wear shoes when walking outside.

The copperhead is a venomous species commonly found on Spring Island. A bite requires prompt medical attention! Copperheads have reddish hourglass shaped bands along the back and, as their name implies, copper-colored heads.

A rattle or button on the end of the tail is an easy way to distinguish our two rattlesnake species from other snakes. The canebrake rattlesnake is not as common as the copperhead but can still be found in many Spring Island habitats. There are several color variations, but all individuals have wavy cross-bands along the back. Most individuals have a reddish-brown stripe down the spine.

The diamondback rattlesnake is the most dangerous snake in the Southeast but it is extremely rare on Spring Island. It is a heavy-bodied snake with a distinct diamond shape pattern along the back.