pecies of the snake, the physician may administer antivenin, apreparation that helps to neutralize the venom and minimize itsharmful effects.(Encarta96)The venom of poisonous snakes is produced and stored inspecialized glands within the snake’s head. In the United States,there are four types of poisonous snakes: coral snakes,rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths, or water moccasins.With the exception of coral snakes, all these snakes are pitvipers.(Encarta99)Responsible for most snake attacks on human beings, pit vipershave the most efficient fangs for injecting venom. Their fangs arehollow, curved, and so long that they fold back into the mouth whennot in use. Their venom mostly affects the circulatory system, but italso causes disruption of normal nervous systemfunction.(Encarta99)Coral snakes have short, fixed fangs in the front of the mouth andthey hang onto and chew their victims. Unlike vipers, coral snakesbite only when they are being handled or are accidentally touched orstepped on. Their venom primarily affects the nervoussystem.(Encatta99)When walking in areas where poisonous snakes are present, individuals should wear high boots and thick loose pants, and should remain alert in order to avoid close encounters with these reptiles. Individuals should also be able to distinguish between poisonous and nonpoisonous snakes.(Encarta99) People who frequent these wilderness spots, as well as those who camp, hike, picnic, or live in snake-inhabited areas, should be aware of potential dangers posed by venomous snakes. Every state but Maine, Alaska and Hawaii is home to at least one of 20 domestic poisonous snake species. A bite from one of these, in which the snake may inject varying degrees of toxic venom, should always be considered a medicalemergency, says the American Red Cross.(For Goodness Snakes) About 8,000 people a year receive venomous bites in the United States nine to 15 victims die. Some experts say that because...
