Baby Copperhead Season In The CSRA
As Autumn approaches and the leaves fall, you may find yourself craving a leisurely stroll in the cooler air. But be mindful of the critters on the ground during your commune with nature, because as any local in the CSRA can tell you, leaf season is also baby copperhead season in our area!
Copperheads tend to mate in the spring and unlike other snakes they don’t hatch their offspring, they have a live birth of their babies towards the end of summer. The babies tend to hide from predators under anything you leave on your lawn, including children’s toys and lawn equipment so keeping your lawn cleared is always a good idea this time of year.
Baby Copperheads Blend In
Their markings also make them blend into leaves so it’s a lot harder to see them in the fall. If you are unlucky enough to get bitten it will be extremely painful and will likely swell a good bit. The Georgia Poison Center recommends that you don’t put ice on the affected area, even if it does swell because ice can make the venom move faster through your system. The best thing to do is seek medical attention immediately. Also, don’t try and “suck out” snake venom. Instead try and stay calm, and wash the area with warm soapy water. Raise the bite site to heart level and immediately call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Pets Are At Risk From Baby Copperheads Also
Your pets are at risk this time of year as well. Copperheads rely on their camouflage so they blend in with fallen leaves very well and when your dog or cat is sniffing and running around the snake will bite if it feels threatened. Copperhead bites are blood toxins, they work on the circulatory and the organs and kill their target by preventing the blood from clotting. If one of your pets does get bitten, try and get your animal to the nearest vet or emergency clinic as soon as possible. Keep in mind, that vets have different opinions on when anti-venom should be used and not all vets carry anti-venom, which is why some doctors will send you directly to an emergency vet. To avoid any confusion, call a doctor who knows your animal and ask for their opinion before taking them.
