Experiences and stories about Copperheads
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Encounters and tips from the outside
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I was bitten on Friday evening by what the doctor assumes is a Copperhead. I did not see the snake because it was dark outside. I was bitten on the inside of my left heel. My heel was instantly swollen and red with two fang marks. I went to the hospital and after 5 hrs was given 4 vials of antivenin because my entire left leg became extremely painful all the way up to my stomach. I was then given an additional four vials of antivenin over the next 18 hrs and was put in the ICU. My left leg is still very painful and it's Sunday. When will I begin to feel better? I still am having a hard time walking and my entire leg throbs including the area where I was bitten.
Reply from: Copperhead snake Admin
Hi Lyndsay, Unfortunately, I have bad news. It is common that the pain after a Copperhead bite lasts for 8 days. Since it was necessary to give you antivenin, you can expect that your pain will not go away anytime soon. I'm very interested in knowing how it involves. Would it be possible for you to keep a "diary" about your bite until the pain goes away? Many readers in here would like to know how things turn out.
Reply from: Lyndsay
Also, thank you for the information you gave about when I might start to feel better. I was released from the hospital yesterday (a total of 2 nights there).
Does anyone know the record size for a copperhead in Illinois? I think I got the big one. Yes, the venom is deadly on a 6 pound Chihuahua (dog). Seriously, I could be holding the record? I cannot find any info for IL. I did find the endangered-protected list and copperheads are NOT on list I downloaded. Correction: Chihuahua (Pumpkin- Female Dog) was 4.2 lbs and was dead within 14 hours of being bitten on her hip.
Reply from: Copperhead snake Admin
Hi, is there any chance you have a photo of that snake?
Reply from: Michael
Careful Ron - he could be with the FBI
Spotted and photographed my first copperhead this past Sunday (9/11/11). Blue hills reservation. Quincy Ma.
Reply from: Dawn
size 7 boots please : )
I am starting to get concerned as I have killed seven copperhead snakes in the last approx., eight weeks I found them in my in ground pool skimmer, how I got them out was with a very long pair of channel lock pliers about 15 inches long the first four I shot with a shotgun I found the tails but could not find the heads, which worried me as my dogs could have found them and am afraid one of my dogs in particular would eat it, so the last three I found all of them at the same time in the skimmer I got hold of them one at a time with the channel lock pliers held them on an unused garden table in my yard and cut their heads off with a long carving knife there was two about 20-24 inches long and a baby about 5-6 inches long, I am wondering if this might mean I have a den or nest or whatever it is of copperhead snakes in my back yard near the pool as there are some large trees about ten feet from the pool and they are surrounded by leaves I would burn the leaves with my long propane torch that fits to a gas bottle but due to the burn ban in Oklahoma am not able to do so. I understand these snakes hide during the day in trash piles, leaf piles and stacked wood piles all of which I have in my yard it is 11/2 acres in a rural area. I am getting really scared to even let my dogs in the yard or even going out there myself I don't own cowboy or any other kind of leather boot to protect my feet. Anyone have any suggestions we don't have animal control where I live so I cannot call them for help.
Reply from: Copperhead snake Admin
Charlene, Thx. for posting. Copperhead's a rather social animal, and they are often many of them together near their dens or as in your case, a water source. The fact you only found one baby copperhead make me think they are there because of the water. A good idea is to remove things that make the snake come back. Apart from the water, you could try to remove leaves and debris on the ground. Do you have cats? Cats can keep rodents, frogs and other prey away from your ground. Maybe it could help, but I'm not sure of course. Let's see if someone else here would like to give suggestions.
Oh and to the folks who posted they have snaked under their houses... how about putting mice and rat traps out? No mice or roof rats mean no snakes ... no food for them.
Reply from: Copperhead snake Admin
Thanks for the tip Dona. They even reduce the number of non venomous snakes beneath their homes too.
I had a young copperhead and found her dead...what happened? No wounds found, she was in a protected locked aquarium?
Reply from: Copperhead snake Admin
I'm sorry about that. I think stress, dehydration, and problems with shedding skin. It could have been one of those three causes. It will be difficult to find out I guess.
Reply from: Patricia
the copperhead is t he most mistaken snake due to its color people automatically want to kill any brown snake thinking it's a copperhead because it resembles a garden snake. Leave them alone and they will leave u alone!
I've seen numerous Copperheads in a park, that I frequent with... they're usually still, & not aggressive, but w/ their desert camouflage, really hard to see sometimes...I wish they would stay in the woods, instead of coming on to the paved path around the park, cause I've nearly stepped on them quite a few of them # creepy
I've been told the moth balls (snake away) doesn't work on moccasin type snakes which is the family copperheads are from.
Reply from: Copperhead snake Admin, NC
Hi Joel, Thx. for posting. I definitely can understand why you dislike Copperheads after the experience you have been through. I myself do not believe much in moth balls either. Other here does though.
My husband was bitten this past week. We are still trying to find the sucker but have not been successful. Does anyone know of any plant this is a deterrent to snakes? Going to rip up all my plants around the fish pond and replace them. I hear we need to get rid of the ornamental grasses and such. We are spreading snake away and moth ball flakes around the pond area. But will definitely stock up on wasp spray!
Reply from: Cindy, Maryland
We are having problems with copperheads also. When you say use lime, what is that and how do you use it?
Reply from: Copperhead snake Admin, NC
Cindy, thx. for posting. Lime is the name for a number of lime fruits. Some people here are saying that using lime keep snakes away. That may not be true, as most experts say lime have no effect. The same with moth balls. I hope I don't offend anyone saying that lime is likely not to work. Instead, I would consider getting a cat, or several. They will keep small rodents away from you house. When there is less food for the Copperheads, they will gradually decline in numbers too.
Treatment of snake bites is confusing to me. My 41 year old daughter was bitten Wed. night be a small copperhead (we think) on her right instep. Her foot and leg quickly swelled up through her thigh. She was given two vials of antivenom and is having to keep her leg elevated. Today I heard of another adult bitten who received anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and steroid meds and was released after two hours. What gives here?
Reply from: Robin, North Carolina
The antibiotic is probably for cellulites and also the steroids. If the antivenom works and no cell damage were noted there would be no need for antibiotics. Maybe your daughters was caught early enough that they felt the antibiotics would not be necessary.
Hello: I was bitten in 2006; the ER Dr. told me they don't like to give the anti venom (too many bad long term effects on your liver and kidneys). They kept me overnight and took blood about every 1/2 hr. They are checking the coagulation rate if I am not mistaken, as fast as your blood can clot it can thin out. I had cancer surgery the end of May and was back in the hosp. 30 June with blood clots in my lungs, they are having quite a bit of trouble getting my blood to therapeutic levels w/Coumadin. So, I have to give myself injections twice a day. I have been wondering if the copperhead bite is having an effect on that. Does anyone out there know ?
Reply from: Copperhead snake Admin
In general doctors are reluctant to use antivenom as it can damage people’s kidneys.
I got bit on the foot by one last night. Went to the doctor and I was prescribed prednisone a steroid, cepholexon an antibiotic, and hydrocodone a pain killer. Lots of pain in foot, and the swelling continues.
I was once bitten twice on the ankle, on the same day. Very, very painful. If you are having problems with snakes, and you come across one, grab wasp spray. Why? It sprays up to 20 feet or so and it will kill the snake. This way you are at a distance and will not come in harm’s way. The snake needs to come in direct contact with the spray. I haven't personally tried this, however it has been stated on some talk shows that this works. They also said that it works great for intruders in your home and to keep by your bed. I do keep wasp spray on hand because I am allergic and being struck twice by a Copperhead I am not taking any chance of being bit again. Also, moth balls may help and you can buy a product at Wal-Mart or Home Depot called Snake Away. When I was bitten we put out the things I just discussed and then closed off all spaces under the house. In your case I would try everything so that you and your family are safe. Trust me it is a terrible thing to go through when you get bit... I was really sick and it is extremely painful.
Reply from: Norma, Oklahoma
We have them under our house in Ok! We have shot 4 so far as they come out at night to eat frogs, etc. Are you sure wasp spray will kill them? I wonder about repelling them if we sprayed under the house? The Ok `Snake Man` said cats would eat the food source & that would help keep them away, guess we`re feeding our cats too much cat food! We had them once before (10 killed) when we had no cats. But now 4 years later with cats, they are back. Also heard a dead snake left lying around would repel them. Any ideas? I have grandchildren. (My next house will NOT have a crawl space under it.)
Reply from: Dessa, Texas
I did some research, Norma, and yes the spray will work according to the articles I just read. It will also blind animals and people if sprayed into the eyes. They have to have an antidote to break down the wasp spray, so next snake you see try it and I would just start spraying it under there but keep it away from your kittens.
Reply from: Robert, Tennessee
Norma Rea Put moth balls under your house. Copperheads hate the smell of camphor because it inhibits their sense of smell.
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