HOLLYWOOD, MD — When outdoors this summer, snakes are one of many creatures which you might cross paths with.

Snakes are rarely aggressive towards humans. While among the most feared and hated creatures in the world, they are beneficial to the environment.

A complex, interesting, and colorful addition of Maryland’s native wildlife, a snake’s ecological value is immeasurable as pest control. With environmental education, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) hopes to dispel many myths associated with the reptile fauna.

When I am in its natural territory, I will move away from a snake, no matter if it’s venomous or not. If it comes into my house, all bets are off.

Through targeting creatures such as rats and other pests, snakes provide economic value through their feeding habits. While all groups of reptiles contribute to this service, some species of snakes are particularly beneficial. Examples include the pit vipers, both species of black snakes, the Eastern king snake, the corn snake, and the milksnakes are great rodent predators. King snakes may also feed on the poisonous pit vipers, while the smaller snakes and lizards consume large quantities of insects.

Of the 27 kinds of snakes inhabiting Maryland, two are venomous: the northern copperhead and the timber rattlesnake.

Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen)

Rarely exceeding three feet, the Northern Copperhead’s body marks are a rich reddish brown with a series of darker hourglass markings down its back. Its head is usually a bright copper color and its belly is pinkish. It has rough, or keeled, scales.  This is the only Maryland snake that has dark dorsal markings which are narrow on the back and broad on the sides.

Copperheads exist throughout the state in remote rocky and wooded areas where they feed on small rodents and other warm-blooded prey. Occasionally, they will feed on aquatic animals. Females give birth to approximately 12 live young which are 8-10 inches in length.

Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus horridus)

This venomous reptile can grow up to six feet in length, and is the only snake species in Maryland with a segmented rattle at the end of its tail. Its body marks include brown or black chevron-shaped markings on a yellow background down its back. The background color may vary from bright yellow to dull gray. Entirely black specimens have also been reported.

It commonly occurs in the more remote mountainous sections of the state. Females may give birth to as many as 12 live young which are approximately 9-10 inches long. The pit viper habit of congregating at dens, creates a situation considerable numbers of rattlesnakes and copperheads can be seen at one time.

Found more so in the northern part of the state, it’s still a good idea to know how to identify this snake.


Major Identification Features: non-venomous and venomous snakes

I recommend extreme caution if go out and approach snakes to see if they’re venomous or not. If you have the misfortune to cross paths with one, here are some tips to help identify them. The information listed applies only to snakes native to the state. Venomous snakes that are originally from other areas sometimes can look like the non-venomous snakes of Maryland.

Non-venomous snakes have the following characteristics:

  • Round pupils
  • No sensing pit
  • Head slightly wider than neck
  • Double row of scales on the underside of the tail

Venomous snakes have the following features:

  • Elliptical pupils
  • Sensing pit between eye and nostril
  • Head much wider than neck
  • Single scales on the underside of the tail

From a practical viewpoint, an understanding of only one of these features is necessary for a determination of the venomous status of any resident snake. Since most snakes are identified after they are killed, the tail scale patterns are the most valuable characteristics to learn.

Someone who is not educated thoroughly about snakes and their identifying marks may have trouble distinguishing the elliptical eye pupil in a pit viper from the round one in a non-venomous snake. They may also have difficulty determining the presence or absence of the sensory pits inherent to rattlers and copperheads. Several species of snakes, have relatively spade-shaped heads which are wider than their necks; but these features are more distinctive in the rattlesnakes and copperheads.

Keep snakes out of your territory

Snakes occasionally enter houses, sometimes by accident, sometimes when searching for hibernation quarters or mice. These are almost always harmless, non-venomous kinds.

They are able to pass through extremely small openings, usually entering buildings near the ground level. Cellar doors, windows and screens must fitted tightly. Walls and floors should be inspected for crevice, and spaces around pipes that go through outside walls should be plugged. Galvanized screen can be fastened over drains or ventilators or even over larger areas of loose construction which would be difficult to snake proof in any other way.

Snakes are drawn to their food source: rats and insects. Making a building rat-proof by eliminating access to food sources such as animal feed or other food supplies.
Closely mowed lawns and fields are less attractive to snakes than areas of tall grass, weeds or brush. Snakes seek food and cover under boards, flat rocks, trash piles, and similar materials. Eliminate the shelter and the premises will be much less inviting to them.

Along water margins, snakes sun on logs or over-hanging brush, or hide under driftwood, rocks and boats. They are seldom seen on clear, open beaches where they are exposed to direct sunlight and predators.

You Can Prevent Snake Bites

Obviously, the best snakebite treatment is to avoid getting bitten. If you’re one to go out on outdoor adventures or live in a more rural area, snake encounters are just one of many things to keep in mind when stepping outside.

The following suggestions should help you stay clear of venomous snakes:

  • Learn to identify, by sight, the copperhead and timber rattlesnake.
  • When hiking or camping in areas where snakes might be found, watch where you put your hands and feet. Watch where you sit and where you place your sleeping bag.
  • Wear suitable clothing, when hiking through tall grass or heavy brush, wear long pants and heavy boots.
  • Avoid rock piles, stacks of old boards and brush in wooded areas, as snakes use such areas frequently.
  • Never handle “dead” venomous snakes, they may not be completely dead. Sometimes snakes can live for five or more minutes after beheading.
  • Leave live snakes alone. Do not attempt to capture or kill them.

Maryland Poison Control receives around 100 snake bite cases each year. Of those, around half are due to bites from venomous snakes. Snake bites are serious and require expert individualized evaluation and treatment.

If you should get bitten by a venomous snake, immediately contact the Maryland Poison Center at 800-222-1222. The Maryland Poison Center is open 24 hours a day, and is staffed by pharmacists or nurses who are specially trained and certified in emergency poisoning and overdose care.

Before you make it to the hospital, the American Red Cross recommends these steps:

  • Wash the bite mark area with soap and water.
  • Immobilize the bitten area and keep it lower than the heart.
  • Get professional medical help.
  • If possible, attempt to catch the snake alive so it can be transported for venom analysis and collection for anti-venom. 

This is what you should not do if a snake bites you:

  • No ice or any other type of cooling on the bite. Research has shown this to be potentially harmful.
  • No tourniquets. This cuts blood flow completely and may result in loss of the affected limb.
  • No incisions in the wound. Such measures have not been proven useful and may cause further injury.

For more information, check out the Maryland DNR website.

Contact Jacqui Atkielski at j.atkielski@thebaynet.com.