  The following six snakes are representative of the harmless snakes commonly and incorrectly thought to be poisonous by the general public. 1. HOG-NOSED SNAKE. Length 2-2½ feet. This is the “blow viper,” “spreadhead viper,” “spreading adder,” or other equally ill-named snake usually found in dry sandy areas. It has a threatening defensive bluff which consists of spreading the fore part of the body cobra-like, hissing and striking (but with mouth closed). Failing to intimidate its opponent, the snake will contort its body convulsively and roll onto its back—apparently dead. It will remain inert unless rolled over onto its stomach; then it will roll onto its back again—the only proper attitude for a dead snake! 2. BLUE RACER. Length 3-4 feet. Many stories are told about this snake attacking persons. It is doubted that most are true interpretations of fact. These rapid-moving snakes may come at a person who is in line with the snake’s preconceived idea of an escape route. Upon capture, most blue racers will bite, but they are definitely non-poisonous. These snakes feed mostly upon small rodents. The color varies in individuals from blue-green to olive or olive-brown; underside is yellow. 3. COMMON WATER SNAKE. Length 2-3 feet. This snake and the yellow-bellied water snake, of very similar appearance, are the most often noted snakes along creeks, rivers, lakes, and ponds. These are usually the “moccasins” that frighten persons near water. Entirely harmless, but with a vicious disposition, these snakes feed upon small fish, frogs, and other creatures that inhabit their neighborhood. 4. DIAMOND-BACKED WATER SNAKE. Length 3 feet. Heavy body, dark appearance, and mean disposition give this particular snake a bad reputation. More than any other Kansas snake, this one gives rise to stories of the poisonous cottonmouth being distributed throughout eastern and southern portions of the state. It is always found in the vicinity of water and feeds upon creatures it finds there. 5. PILOT BLACK SNAKE. Length 5-6 feet. Also more properly called the black rat snake, a descriptive title which is particularly apt. Occasionally, this large snake may find where hen eggs are available and become a nuisance in the hen house, but the wise farmer who allows one of these snakes to stay around the barn and corncrib will reap dividends from the destruction wrought upon the rodent population. This snake is a much better mouser than any cat! 6. RED MILK SNAKE. Length 2-3 feet. A beautiful jewel of a snake, this small creature has been credited with the ability to milk a cow dry! Such a feat is impossible for a number of reasons. This reputation was acquired because this snake was frequently found in barns, where it had gone in search of mice, a favorite food item. The color pattern might be confused with that of the poisonous coral snake (not found in Kansas). In the coral snake, however, the red and yellow rings are adjacent. HOG-NOSED SNAKE BLUE RACER PILOT BLACKSNAKE COMMON WATER SNAKE DIAMOND-BACKED WATER SNAKE RED MILK SNAKE Clarke Treatment of Snake BiteIf possible, determine definitely if the snake is poisonous. If it is not, no treatment is necessary other than application of an antiseptic. If the snake is poisonous, typical symptoms will appear rapidly: bruised appearance at bite, noticeable swelling, and intense pain. Later, the victim may become nauseated and may even faint. The important thing to do is to get to a doctor or a hospital as soon as possible. In the meantime, the following measures should be taken to retard the spread of the venom.
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E Upon arrival at doctor’s or hospital, antivenom may be injected after the determination for serum sensitivity. Antivenin may be administered by a person other than a doctor, but this is recommended only in cases where a doctor or hospital is not readily accessible. Snake bite kits are available at most drug stores and should be carried by persons or groups going into areas inhabited by poisonous snakes. PRECAUTIONS
ReferencesConant, Roger. 1958. A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians. 366 pages. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston. $3.95. Klauber, Lawrence M. 1956. Rattlesnakes: their habits, life histories, and influences on mankind. 2 vols. University of California Press, Berkeley. Minton, Sherman A. Snake-bite in the midwestern region. Quarterly Bulletin, Indiana University Medical Center, Vol. 14, No. 2. Minton, Sherman A. Snakebite. Scientific American, January 1957, Vol. 196, No. 1. Oliver, James A. 1955. The Natural History of North American Amphibians and Reptiles. 359 pages. D. Van Nostrand Co., Princeton, N. J. Pope, Clifford H. 1955. The Reptile World. 325 pages. Alfred A. Knopf, N.Y. Pope, Clifford H. 1952. Snakes Alive and How They Live. 238 pages. The Viking Press, N. Y. Schmidt, Karl P. and D. Dwight Davis. 1941. Field Book of Snakes of the United States and Canada. G. P. Putnam’s Sons, New York. Smith, Hobart M. 1956. Handbook of Amphibians and Reptiles of Kansas. 356 pages. University of Kansas, Museum of Natural History, $1.50. Werler, John E. 1950. The poisonous snakes of Texas and the first aid treatment of their bites. Texas Fish and Game, February, 1950. Wyeth, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa. Antivenin (North American Antisnakebite Serum). 15 pages. ABOUT THIS ISSUEThe cover picture is a copperhead. This snake was photographed alive, but somewhat anesthetized with ether, by Dr. John Breukelman and the author, using a single-lens reflex 35 mm. camera, type A Kodachrome film and two photofloods. The illustrations on page 14 were taken by these same two, using a Polaroid Land camera, photofloods, and graduate student George Ratzlafl as victim. The line drawings and color illustrations were made by the author. The color plates of non-poisonous and poisonous snakes were painted in water colors, using live and preserved snakes as models. The original paintings have been reduced one-half in this publication. Poisonous snakes are only one aspect of the study of herpetology, which includes other reptiles, as well as amphibians. These together may be referred to as herptiles. There are 97 species of herptiles in Kansas: 9 salamanders, 20 frogs and toads, 15 lizards, 40 snakes, and 13 turtles. The turtles of Kansas have been described in a past issue of The Kansas School Naturalist (April, 1956), and an issue on the lizards of the state is in preparation. PREVIOUS ISSUESOct. 1954, Window Nature Study; Dec. 1954, Wildlife in Winter; Feb. 1955, Children’s Books for Nature Study (First in a series): April 1955, Let’s Go Outdoors; Oct. 1955, Fall Wildflowers; Dec. 1955, Snow; Feb. 1956, Spring Wildflowers; April 1956, Turtles in Kansas; Oct. 1956, Hawks in Kansas; Dec. 1956, Children’s Books for Nature Study (Second in the series); Feb. 1957, Life in a Pond; April 1957, Spiders; Oct. 1957, Along the Roadside; Dec. 1957, An Outline for Conservation Teaching in Kansas; Feb. 1958, Trees; April 1958, Summer Wildflowers; Oct. 1958, Watersheds in Kansas; Dec. 1958, Let’s Build Equipment. Those printed in boldface type are still available upon request. The others are out of print, but may be found in many school and public libraries in Kansas. AUDUBON SCREEN TOUR SERIESThe Biology Department of the Kansas State Teachers College of Emporia is sponsoring its second Audubon Screen Tour Series during the current school year. This series consists of five all-color motion pictures of wildlife, scenics, plant science, and conservation, personally narrated by leading naturalists. Three of the five programs have been presented; the other two will be given in Albert Taylor Hall at 8:00 p.m. on the dates listed below. OLIN SEWALL PETTINGILL, JR., Penguin Summer, Monday, April 13. WILLIAM FERGUSON, This Curious World in Nature, Friday, May 15. Plan to attend with some of your students. Family and single admission tickets are available. For additional information write to Carl Prophet, Biology Department, KSTC, Emporia. WORKSHOP IN CONSERVATIONPlan now to attend the 1959 Workshop in Conservation, which will be a part of the 1959 Summer Session of the Kansas State Teachers College of Emporia, June 2 to 19, and June 22 to July 10, 1959. As in the past several years, the Workshop will cover water, soil, grassland, and wildlife conservation teaching. Such topics as geography and climate of Kansas, water resources, soil erosion problems and control, grass as a resource, bird banding, wildflowers, conservation clubs, and conservation teaching in various grades will be discussed. There will be lectures, demonstrations, discussion groups, films, slides, field trips, projects, and individual and group reports. You may enroll for undergraduate or graduate credit. Any interested person may enroll in the first section, enrollment in the second section is limited to those who have an established interest in conservation and some teaching experience. Fee for first section (3 hours credit): Residents of Kansas, $22.95; non-resident, $42.45 Fee for second section (1, 2, or 3 hours credit): Residents of Kansas, $7.65 per hour; non-resident, $14.15 per hour For other information about the Workshop write Robert F. Clarke, Department of Biology, KSTC, Emporia, Kansas. The Kansas School Naturalist Second-class mail privileges |
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