victims can't always positively identify a snake, they should seek prompt care for any bite, though they may think the snake is nonpoisonous. Even a bite from a so-called "harmless" snake can cause an infection or allergic reaction in some people.(For Goodness Snakes)Types of Venomous SnakesTwo families of venomous snakes are native to the United States. The vast majority are pit vipers, of the family Crotalidae, which include rattlesnakes, copperheads and cottonmouths (water moccasins). Pit vipers get their common name from a small "pit" between the eye and nostril that allowsthe snake to sense prey at night. They deliver venom through two fangs the snake can retract at rest but can spring into biting position rapidly. About 99 percent of the venomous bites in this country are from pit vipers. Some--Mojave rattlesnakes or canebrake rattlesnakes, for example--carry a neurotoxic venom that can affect the brain or spinal cord. Copperheads, on the other hand, have milder and less dangerous venom that sometimesmay not require antivenin treatment.(For Goodness Snakes) The other family of domestic poisonous snakes is Elapidae, whichincludes two species of coral snakes found mainly in the Southern states. Related to the much more dangerous Asian cobras and kraits, coral snakes havesmall mouths and short teeth, which give them a less efficient venom delivery than pit vipers. People bitten by coral snakes lack the characteristic fang marks of pit vipers, sometimes making the bite hard to detect. Though coral snakebites are rare in the United States--only about 25 a year by some estimates--the snake's neurotoxic venom can be dangerous. A 1987 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association examined 39 victims of coral snakebites. There were no deaths, but several victims experienced respiratory paralysis, one of the hazards of neurotoxic venom. Some nonpoisonous snakes, such as the scarlet king snake, mimic the bright red, yellow and bl...
