There are at least 20 types of venomous snakes found in the US. You can find at least one species of deadly snake in every state of the country, except Alaska. Based on the report, at least 8,000 incidents of snake bites are recorded, but only a small fraction of them will lead to death, which is thanks to the accessibility of the antivenom and the advancement in the field of science. In this list, we created a brief rundown of some of the deadliest snakes in the US.
What Are Some of the Deadliest Snakes in the Country?
There are different reasons why a snake can be deadly; it can be their aggressiveness, potency of the venom, and the deaths that have been attributed to the snake. Once you are out there and encounter these snakes, it is best to stay away from them.
How Deadly is a Mojave Rattlesnake?
According to some wildlife experts, Mojave rattlesnakes are pretty lethal if the antivenin is not administered immediately. Rattlesnakes can be very aggressive and will attack even without any provocations. While the venom of the rattlesnake may not be as deadly as other snakes, the volume of the venom that they will inject on the unfortunate victim makes them dangerous. They have a hemotoxic-type venom, which destroys the body tissue and prevents the clotting of the blood. Some of this snake's relatives include pygmy, rock, timber, sidewinder, Western Diamondback, and Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake. They are mainly known for their rattle at the end of their tail and ability to strike at a great distance. This snake can reach up to 50 inches in length and will launch its attack by surprise.
How Deadly is a Coral Snake?
For the potency of venom, the deadliest would probably be the coral snake, which is the cousin of the cobra. This snake is commonly found in the southern section of the country. They only measure at about 39 inches and even less. They have undersized fangs that make it difficult for them to penetrate their victim's skin and inject the venom. Only lower than 1% of snake deaths can be attributed to coral snakes. This venom can result in paralysis, particularly in our respiratory system.
How Deadly is the Cottonmouth?
The water moccasin, also known as cottonmouth, has a venom that can be dangerous to humans. Fortunately, it will not usually lead to the death of the victim. It can be aggressive, but biting is not typical unless the creature has been provoked. The average length of the cottonmouth is about 36 inches, but there are reports of a water moccasin reaching up to 72 inches.
If you have been bitten by these snakes, we discourage you from hunting or capturing them since this may result in an additional victim. You should only try to give the doctors a description of the animal. Never wait for the symptoms to manifest before you consult a medical professional.
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