How Many Venomous Snakes Are in Arizona?

Arizona is the state with the most venomous snakes. There are 23 of them, to be exact. 17 of the 23 are rattlesnakes. Arizona also has the Arizona Coral snake. Coral snakes are from the same family as cobras. Finally, Arizona has five rear-fanged venomous snake species. These are not as dangerous as the other 19. In this article, I’ll list the venomous snakes in Arizona. I’ll then describe each snake and tell you where you will likely find them.

Rear Fanged Snakes

• Western Shovel-nosed Snake (Sonora occipitalis)
• Sonoran Lyre Snake (Trimorphodon lambda)
• Night Snake (Hypsiglena torquata)
• Southwestern Blackhead Snake (Tantilla hobartsmithi)
• Pike-headed Tree Snake (Oxybelis aeneus)

Rattlesnakes in Arizona

Rattlesnakes belong to the venomous viperidae or pit viper family. Pit vipers have specialized pit organs located between their nostrils and eyes. They help them to detect infrared radiation from prey animals. In fact, pit organs enable pit vipers to precisely strike their prey even without light. They are also able to detect body heat from about 1 meter away.

Pit vipers have hollow fangs connected to venom glands. They use their fangs to inject venom into their prey. This venom immobilizes the prey, making it easier for the snake to consume. They primarily consume small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and small birds.

The first thing people think about with regard to rattlesnakes is their tails. When they are disturbed, they vibrate the rattles on their tails. This makes a buzzing or a rattling-type sound. Beware though. Sometimes, rattlers strike without rattling. Sometimes, their rattles fall off. You must be aware of where you are placing your hands and feet when you’re in rattlesnake country. If you hear a rattling noise, do not move until you spot where it originated. Otherwise, you may accidentally move into the snake, allowing it to strike you. If you are going to be hiking in rattlesnake country, it would be a good idea to wear snake boots or snake gaiters.

What Is the Most Venomous Snake in Arizona?

The Mojave Rattlesnake has the most toxic venom of all rattlesnakes. However, the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake bites more people. They are also responsible for more fatalities than any other Arizona rattlesnake.

Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus)

Adult Mojave rattlesnakes typically measure 2 to 4 ft (about 0.61 to 1.22 m) in length. These snakes sport a base color that varies in shades of brown, olive green, dark green, and tan. Along their backs, they feature a distinctive dark brown diamond-like pattern. Their tails are white and black banded. This adds to their unique appearance.

Other common names are Mojave Green Rattlesnake and Mohave Rattlesnake.

Where Do Mojave Rattlesnakes Live in Arizona?

The Mojave rattlesnakes range throughout the state of Arizona. Mojaves prefer high deserts (500 – 5,000 ft. elevation) and lower mountain slopes. They like desert flats instead of areas with high volumes of vegetation or rocky areas.

How Dangerous Are Mojave Rattlesnakes?

Mojave rattlesnakes have highly potent venom. They are one of the state of Arizona’s most dangerous snakes.

Their venom is either hemorrhagic/hemotoxic or neurotoxic. The type of venom the snake has depends on the area it lives in. Their hemorrhagic venom prevents blood clotting and destroys body tissue. On the other hand, their neurotoxic venom is even more dangerous. It shuts down the nervous system. Victims of neurotoxic venom may become paralyzed. Furthermore, they can lose the ability to breathe. Source

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)

The Western Diamondback is the largest of the southwestern desert rattlesnakes. They grow from 4 to 7 ft (1.22 to 2.13m) long. They have dark diamond-shaped patterns along their back. This is why they have the name “Diamondback.” A dark line runs from the corner of the mouth to behind the eye. Their base color varies from yellow, light brown, salmon, gray, gray-brown, cream, or olive. The edges of their dorsal spots are darker, with the centers slightly darker than the base color. Their tail has two to eight black bands separated by pale gray bands.

This species has various names, including the Western Diamond-backed rattlesnake and Adobe Snake.

Where Do Western Diamondbacks Live in Arizona?

The Western Diamondback rattlesnake’s range in the U.S. begins in Arkansas and Oklahoma. It then stretches to the west and takes in parts of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and California.

Western Diamondback rattlesnakes are found in the southern half of Arizona. They range as far north as the rim of the Grand Canyon.

How Dangerous Are Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes?

Western Diamondback rattlesnake venom is hemotoxic, cytotoxic, and myotoxic. If a Western Diamondback bite goes untreated, it can cause serious problems. These include severe internal bleeding and tissue damage, which might result in gangrene. Source

Mojave Rattlesnake vs Diamondback

Arizona Black Rattlesnake (Crotalus cerberus)

The Arizona Black rattlesnake is a thick-bodied snake. The adults of this species grow to an average length of 28 to 48 inches (70 to 121 cm). The base color of an adult Arizona Black rattlesnake varies. They are dark gray, reddish brown, or sometimes completely black. Their base color is overlayed with dark blotches along their backs. These blotches become crossbands at the snake’s tail. Younger snakes are more prominently marked than are adults. Interestingly, Arizona Black rattlesnakes have the chameleon-like ability to change color.

This species has various common names. They include Black rattlesnake, Black Diamond rattlesnake, and Mountain Diamondback.

Where Do Arizona Black Rattlesnake Live?

The Arizona Black rattlesnake lives throughout Arizona.

Their territory takes in the following counties:

How Dangerous Are Arizona Black Rattlesnakes?

Arizona Black rattlesnake venom is a mix of myotoxins and hemotoxins. Envenomations from this snake are rare. However, severe envenomation can produce pain, edema, blistering, nausea, and vomiting. The venom may also prevent blood coagulation and destroy red blood cells. This can produce shock and internal organ failure, particularly kidney failure. Source

Great Basin Rattlesnake (Crotalus o. lutosus)

The Great Basin rattlesnake is a subspecies of the Western rattlesnake. See,

These snakes’ bodies are light grey or light brown. Their bodies are also covered with dark blotches. These blotches are dark brown to black with pale centers. These rattlesnakes rarely exceed 3 feet (.91 m) in length. However, the largest specimens grow to 4 feet (1.22 m).

Where Do Great Basin Rattlesnakes Live in Arizona?

Great Basin rattlesnakes have a variety of habitats in which they can live and survive. These include juniper forests, age-low banks, and rocky outcrops. In Arizona, the Great Basin rattlesnake lives west and north of the Colorado River.

How Dangerous Are Great Basin Rattlesnakes?

Great Basin rattlesnake venom is a potent mix of myotoxins and hemotoxins. Their bites may produce pain, edema, nausea, and vomiting. Furthermore, the hemotoxic part of their venom can cause internal bleeding. This may lead to multiple organ damage. Moreover, the myotoxic part of their venom will produce necrosis of body tissue. Source

Grand Canyon Rattlesnake (Crotalus o. abyssus)

Adult Grand Canyon rattlesnakes are 16 to 54 inches (41 to 137cm) long. Their base color varies from snake to snake. They may be pink, yellowish-green, tan, or gray. They have brown blotches down their back that turn into bands at the tail. Younger snakes generally have more prominent markings than adults. In fact, some adult Grand Canyon rattlesnakes have no body markings.

Where Do Grand Canyon Rattlesnakes Live in Arizona?

Grand Canyon rattlesnakes live only in North-central Arizona and South-central Utah. In Arizona, they live along both the rims of the Grand Canyon and also on the canyon floor. It is a diurnal snake, but it can be active around the clock when conditions are favorable.

How Dangerous Are Grand Canyon Rattlesnakes?

Grand Canyon rattlesnake venom is a potent mix of neurotoxins and hemotoxins. Their bites may produce pain, edema, nausea, and vomiting. Furthermore, the hemotoxic part of their venom can cause internal bleeding. This may lead to multiple organ damage. See

Twin-Spotted Rattlesnake (Crotalus pricei)

Twin Spotted rattlesnakes are small snakes. An adult of this species measures 20 to 26 inches (50 to 60 cm) in length. Their base color varies. They may be brownish-gray, blueish-gray, or reddish-brown with fine brown speckling. They have a series of dorsal blotches on top of their base color. These are divided down their spine to form 39 to 64 pairs.

Where Do Twin-Spotted Rattlesnakes Live in Arizona?

The Twin-Spotted rattlesnake is found in southeastern (Cochise County) Arizona.

How Dangerous Are Twin-Spotted Rattlesnakes?

Twin Spotted rattlesnakes venom is Hemotoxic. A Twin-Spotted rattlesnake bite might cause mild pain, swelling, blistering, nausea, and vomiting. Furthermore, the venom may destroy red blood cells and impair blood coagulation. Which may lead to severe systemic symptoms. source

Avoiding Snake Bite and Snake Bite Survival

Tiger Rattlesnake (Crotalus tigris)

Tiger rattlesnakes range in size from 18 to 36 inches (46 to 91 cm) long. Their base color varies. They may be gray, blue-gray, lavender, pink, or buff with cream or pale orange on the sides. They also have 35 to 52 brown or black crossbands. Most other rattlesnakes have crossbands. But their crossbands are confined to the tail area. Tiger rattlesnakes are the only rattlers with crossbands on their entire body. This is a defining feature for them.

The Tiger Rattlesnake’s small, spade-shaped head is another defining feature. They have the smallest of all rattlesnake heads. Tiger rattlers also have a huge rattle compared to their body size.

Where Do Tiger Rattlesnakes Live in Arizona?

The Tiger Rattlesnake’s home extends from central Arizona south through south-central Arizona. They are found in the following Arizona Counties:

How Dangerous Are Tiger Rattlesnakes?

The Tiger rattlesnake has one of the most deadly rattlesnake venoms. It is a potent mix of hemotoxins and myotoxins.

This rattlesnake has a low venom yield per bite. But its venom has the second-highest toxicity of all the rattlesnake venoms. It is also the second most potent venom among all snakes in the Western Hemisphere.

There are a few recorded human envenomations by Tiger rattlesnakes. These all produced limited localized pain and swelling. These snakes produce a low venom yield and have small fangs. This possibly prevents adults from developing more severe reactions. But a child or a smaller adult might have more severe complications. However, any bite from a Tiger rattlesnake is a medical emergency. The bitten individual should seek immediate medical attention. Source

Banded Rock Rattlesnake (Crotalus lepidus klauberi)

The Banded Rock rattlesnake is a smaller rattlesnake that measures 24 to 33 inches (61 to 84cm) long. This does not include its rattle. Their color pattern varies. It can be blueish-gray to greenish-gray. On top of their back are 14 to 24 dark gray to black jagged crossbands. They often have dark spots or flecks between the dark bands. A pinkish mottling is sometimes present on their underside. It becomes darker toward the tail. Their rattle is large compared to their body size.

Where Do Banded Rock Rattlesnakes Live in Arizona?

As its name implies, the Banded Rock rattlesnake spends time in rocky terrain. They prefer steep talus slopes, stream beds, and rock outcroppings. They also follow drainages down into the grasslands of South Eastern Arizona. In Arizona, they live in Cochise, Santa Cruz, and Pima Counties. Source

How Dangerous Are Banded Rock Rattlesnakes?

A Banded Rock rattlesnake’s venom is hemotoxic. It can lead to various symptoms. It can cause significant pain and swelling at the bite site, making it uncomfortable. Nausea and vomiting might also occur. It can affect blood clotting and lead to excessive bleeding. It may also induce shock, leaving the victim feeling weak and disoriented. There’s also a possibility of mild paralysis. It’s crucial to seek immediate medical help if bitten by a Banded Rock rattlesnake. Source

Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus pyrrhus)

Speckled rattlesnakes vary a bit in color. They can be cream, tan, grey, bluish-grey, orange, or yellowish-pink. Their bodies look speckled due to the pattern of their scales. Speckled rattlesnakes are up to 39 inches (100 cm) in length.

Other common names for this snake include Mitchell’s rattlesnake and White rattlesnake.

Where Do Speckled Rattlesnakes Live in Arizona?

The Speckled rattlesnake ranges throughout the state of Arizona. They prefer rocky terrain with some vegetation. In Arizona, they live in the following Counties. Coconino, Maricopa, Mohave, La Paz, Yuma, Gila, Graham, Pima, Pinal and Yavapai Counties.

How Dangerous Are Speckled Rattlesnakes?

A Speckled rattlesnake’s venom is hemotoxic. It can lead to various symptoms. It can cause significant pain and swelling at the bite site, making it uncomfortable. Nausea and vomiting might also occur. It can affect blood clotting and lead to excessive bleeding. It may induce shock, leaving the victim feeling weak and disoriented. There’s also a possibility of mild paralysis. It’s crucial to seek immediate medical help if bitten by a Speckled rattlesnake. Source

Northern Blacktail Rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus)

This medium-sized rattlesnake measures 30 to 42 inches(76.2 to 106.48cm)  in length. The males tend to be smaller than the females. Their base color varies. They can be yellow, olive green, or gray with dark white bordered blotches. They have a black band across their eyes, which extends diagonally to the corners of their mouth, like a mask. Despite variation in body color, their most distinguishing feature is their black tail.

Where Do Northern Blacktail Rattlesnakes Live in Arizona?

Northern Blacktail Rattlesnakes are everywhere in Arizona, south of the Grand Canyon.

How Dangerous Are Northern Blacktail Rattlesnakes?

The venom of the Northern Blacktail Rattlesnake is hemotoxic. However, it is less toxic than the venom of some other rattlesnakes. For example, it is only two-thirds as toxic as the venom of the Western Diamondback. In general, it is not fatal to humans. They have larger venom glands than most rattlesnakes in the area. Because their venom is less toxic, they need to inject a large quantity into their prey to be effective. Source

Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis)

Adult Prairie rattlesnakes average around 3.3 feet (100 cm) in length. The longest recorded specimen measured just under 5 feet (151.5 cm) long. They are tan-colored with varying colors of brown blotches covering their bodies. They have a distinguishing triangle-shaped head with pit sensory organs on either side. A light stripe runs diagonally from the back of its eye to its jaw. Another strip runs diagonally from below its eye to the corner of its mouth. Prairie rattlesnakes are mostly ground snakes. But they occasionally climb into shrubs, bushes, or trees.

Where Do Prairie Rattlesnakes Live in Arizona?

In Arizona, they are found in the Northeastern corner of the state. They live in Apache, Navajo, and Coconino Counties. Source

How Dangerous Are Prairie Rattlesnakes?

Prairie rattlesnake venom is a mix of hemotoxins and myotoxins. Furthermore, according to some literature, it also has neurotoxins.

Prairie rattlesnake bites can have serious effects. The venom can cause severe pain. It may also induce shock, making the victim feel weak and disoriented. Swelling, blistering, and inflammation can occur at the bite site. Their venom can also damage red blood cells and impair blood clotting. In severe cases, the bite may result in severe tissue damage. There is also a risk of harm to internal organs. Source

Hopi Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis nuntius)

Hopi rattlesnakes are a smaller subspecies of the Prairie Rattlesnake. Their body color varies with their natural surroundings. But it is generally pinkish brown to tan with darker brown blotches. Hopi rattlesnake adults grow up to 2 feet long (60cm). These snakes are mostly ground snakes. But they occasionally climb into shrubs, bushes, or trees.

Other common names for this snake include Arizona Prairie rattlesnake and Prairie rattlesnake.

Where Do Hopi Rattlesnakes Live in Arizona?

The Hopi rattlesnake is found in northeast Arizona at elevations of 4501–7001 feet. They also live in Utah and New Mexico.

How Dangerous Are Hopi Rattlesnakes?

Their venom is both hemotoxic and neurotoxic.

Hopi rattlesnake bites can have serious effects. The venom can cause excruciating pain. It may also induce shock, making the victim feel weak and disoriented. Swelling, blistering, and inflammation can occur at the bite site. Nausea and vomiting may follow. Their venom can also damage red blood cells and impair blood clotting. In severe cases, the bite may result in severe tissue damage. There is also a risk of harm to internal organs. This makes a Hopi rattlesnake bite a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation. Source

Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi)

The Ridge-Nosed rattlesnake is the official state reptile of Arizona. This rattlesnake is rather small, measuring between 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 cm) long. They generally have a dark brown base with white horizontal striping. The ridges along each side of its nose are unique to this rattlesnake and are why they are named “Ridge-nosed.”

Where Do Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnakes Live in Arizona?

Ridge-nosed rattlesnakes live in mountainous areas at elevations above 4,000 feet. The wooded “Sky Island” ranges of Southeast Arizona are within their range.

How Dangerous Are Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnakes?

Arizona Ridge-nosed rattlesnakes have hemotoxic venom. However, their venom yield per bite is low. Consequently, their bites are usually not as life-threatening. Ridge-nosed bites result in edema and discomfort. However, there are no documented deaths caused by this snake.

We’ve established that Arizona Ridge-nosed rattlesnakes are relatively harmless. Even so, any bite from one of these snakes is still a medical emergency. If you are bitten by one, you need to seek prompt medical attention. Source

Desert Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii)

These rattlesnakes are not large; they range from 24 to 30 inches (61cm to 76cm) long. Their base color is either tan or gray. They have a row of large, rounded, blackish-brown spots down their spine. Furthermore, they have three smaller rows of spots down each side. In some cases, the larger dorsal spots connect with the side spots, forming a large solid blotch. Younger snakes are paler than adults.

Where Do Desert Massasauga Rattlesnakes Live in Arizona?

The Desert Massasauga rattlesnake lives in Cochise County in southeastern Arizona.

How Dangerous Are Desert Massasauga Rattlesnakes?

The venom of the Massasauga rattlesnake is cytotoxic. Cytotoxic venom destroys body tissue. Moreover, digestive enzymes in cytotoxic venom disrupt blood flow and prevent clotting. Massasauga bites to humans are rare. However, they do occur.

There are two documented deaths in Ontario from Eastern Massasauga envenomations. In each of these cases, the victim did not receive antivenom in time. Source

Sidewinder Rattlesnake (Crotalus cerastes)

The Sidewinder Rattlesnake is found in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. In Arizona, they are found in the western part of the state.

The sidewinder’s defining characteristic is its mode of travel. These snakes get their name for their peculiar sideways form of locomotion. They lead with their midsections instead of their heads. It turns out that this is a much more effective way to move across the sand. They are fast-moving snakes and can reach speeds of up to 18 mph.

The adult sidewinder measures 17 to 31 inches in length, with the female being the largest. Their base color varies from cream, buff, yellowish-brown, pink, or ash gray. It is overlaid with 28 to 47 dorsal blotches. The belly is white, and the adult’s proximal lobe’s rattle is brown. Sidewinders are unique in that they have the ability to change their coloration. Other species, such as chameleons and Arizona Black rattlesnakes, share this ability. The process of doing this is metachrosis.

There are three subspecies of sidewinder rattlesnakes in Arizona:

• Mojave Desert Sidewinder (Crotalus c. cerastes)- These snakes are found in La Paz County, Arizona.
• Desert Sidewinder (Crotalus c. cercobombus)- These snakes are found in Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, and Yuma Counties in Arizona.
• Colorado Desert Sidewinder (Crotalus c. laterorepens)- These snakes are found in Pinal County, Arizona.

How Dangerous Are Sidewinders?

The Sidewinder rattlesnake is venomous, but its venom is weaker than other rattlesnakes. Their smaller venom glands make them less dangerous than their larger relatives. You should still be wary of them because any rattlesnake bite can be fatal. If bitten, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Sidewinders can’t inject enough venom in one bite to create severe complications. However, it’s more serious if the victim gets envenomated multiple times. If medical treatment is delayed, the following complications could occur.

• Internal bleeding
• Deep tissue damage may lead to bacterial infections and gangrene.
• Loss of use of the affected limb
• Severe shock
• Paralysis
• Seizures
• Coma
• Multiple organ failure source

Arizona Coral Snake (Micruroides euryxanthus)

The Arizona Coral snake is also called the Western Coral snake or the Sonoran Coral snake. This is a small snake with a slender body (as skinny as a pencil) reaching between 13-21 inches in length. They have rounded heads and noses with similar-looking tails. It can be hard to tell a coral snake’s head from its tail because they are so similar. They are brightly colored, highly venomous snakes. They have black, light yellow, and red bands, with the yellow bands separating the red and black.

Where Are Arizona Coral Snakes Found in Arizona?

They are found in Central and Southern Arizona. Their range takes in desert planes and mountain slopes from 5,800 feet.

Batesian Mimicry Of Coral Snakes

Batesian mimicry is a biological term. It describes how a harmless species protects itself by resembling a dangerous one. For example, the desert kingsnake and the milk snake are nonvenomous snakes. However, their color patterns both closely resemble the venomous coral snake. The difference is that a coral snake’s red and yellow bands touch. On the other hand, the nonvenomous species’ color patterns are red, black, and yellow. Also, a coral snake’s head is blunt and entirely black, even behind its eyes, while a Kingsnake’s head is red.

This rhyme helps people distinguish between a nonvenomous species and a coral snake. “Red and yellow can kill a fellow; Red touch black, a friend of Jack.”

The rhyme is mostly accurate in the United States. However, coral snakes from areas south of the U. S. do not always follow the black-yellow-red pattern. This is also true in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

Finally, there are rare coral snakes that do not follow the usual color pattern in the United States. Pink, cream-colored, light blue, and completely black coral snakes exist in the wild.

Arizona Coral Snake Behavior

Western Coral snakes are underground snakes. They spend most of their time buried in the sand, under leaf piles, and in rotten logs.

Defensive Farting

When rattlesnakes are uptight, they rattle their tails. On the other hand, coral snakes react to stress a bit differently.

When coral snakes are agitated, they fart. To do this, they draw air into their cloacas and force it out again. This makes a popping sound. Source

How Dangerous Are Western Coral Snakes?

Coral snakes have neurotoxic venom. It is the second most potent snake venom in the world. (The mamba being the most venomous).

However, they are considered less dangerous than rattlesnakes. The reason is that they have a less effective venom delivery system. Their smaller mouth and fangs produce less venom. Yet, a coral snake bite should be taken seriously, and medical treatment should be sought. Sometimes, the manifestation of a severe bite doesn’t present itself for 24 hours.

Venomous Colubrid Snakes

Colubrid snakes have grooved fangs at the back of their upper jaws and are rear-fanged. Most of them are not venomous, or their venom is not dangerous to humans.

The following are the venomous colubrids that are found in Arizona.

Western Shovel-nosed Snake (Sonora occipitalis)

The Western Shovel-nosed snake is small at around 12 to 17 inches (30.48 to 43.18 cm) in length. Their snout is cream-colored. On top of the head, between and posterior to the eyes, is a black crescent moon shape. Their body is cream colored with blackish-brown bands. The majority have interspersed reddish-orange bands that don’t circle their body. The venom of the Western Shovel-nosed snake is not usually dangerous to humans.

These snakes are found in the western sandy deserts of Arizona.

Sonoran Lyre Snake (Trimorphodon lambda)

The Sonoran Lyre snake is a thin snake that can get up to 4 feet (121.92cm) long. They are found in the desert regions of southern Arizona. This snake gets its name from the markings on its head that resemble a lyre harp. This marking is more prominent in females. They have a light brown-colored body with dark brown saddle markings on top. Their belly is a creamy white color scattered with brown spots. They look similar to a king snake until you notice the narrow neck, making its head appear triangular. Their pupils are vertical slits like other venomous snakes rather than round. They are rarely seen because they are nocturnal. This snake is mildly venomous but not considered dangerous.

Night Snake (Hypsiglena torquata)

The Night Snake is a rear-fanged, slightly venomous snake. It grows from 12 to 26 inches (30.48 to 66cm) long. It is found in most parts of Arizona. This snake is a light beige to pale gray color with dark gray or brown blotches on its sides and back. Its head is flat and triangular-shaped, with a dark brown bar behind its eyes. It also has a pair of dark blotches on the neck. Its belly is a whitish color.

The Night snake is slightly venomous but is no threat to humans.

Southwestern Blackhead Snake (Tantilla hobartsmithi)

The Southwestern Blackhead snake is a tiny snake. Adults are 8 to 15 inches (20 to 38cm) in length. The top of their body is brown in color with a blackhead. The belly is creamy white with a broad reddish stripe running down the center.

This snake lives across southeastern Arizona. They also range in Central Arizona below the Mogollon Rim.

Southwestern Blackhead snakes are nocturnal. They spend most of their time hiding in loose soil or underground debris. These are rear-fanged snakes whose venom is harmless to humans.

Pike-headed Tree Snake (Oxybelis aeneus)

Other names for this snake are Brown Vine snake or Mexican Vine snake. In Arizona, it is known as the Pike-headed Tree snake. It is an extremely slender snake that reaches up to 6 feet (183 cm)in length. It varies in color from brown to gray with a yellowish underside. Their heads are narrow with a long snout.

These snakes live in the same range in Arizona as the Blackhead snake.

Their bite can cause an itching sensation. Although they are mildly venomous, this rear-fanged snake is not dangerous to humans.

Symptoms of Venomous Snake Bites

Some of the symptoms you may experience from a venomous snake bite include:

• Discoloration in the area of the bite.
• Swelling in the area of the bite.
• Loss of muscle coordination.
• Tingling sensation in the area of the bite.
• Feeling nauseous.
• Having an abnormally rapid pulse.

What Should You Do If A Venomous Snake Bites You?

If you or someone you are with has suffered a venomous snakebite, time is of the essence. This is because the sooner a victim receives anti-venom, the less likely the venom in their body is to cause harm. In other words, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.

Do not attempt to kill the snake for identification purposes. This gives the snake a chance to bite you again. Also, consider that severed snakeheads can still bite and envenomate. If you have a phone, take a picture of the offending reptile. Otherwise, get started on your way to the doctor.

First Aid for Snake Bite Victims

• Remain calm and limit your movements. Do not run. If you must hike back to a vehicle, do it calmly and deliberately. Put as little stress on your heart as possible.
• Keep the area of the snake bite below the heart level and never above the heart level. Keeping the bite below the heart level will reduce the venom’s flow. However, holding the bite above your heart level will increase the venom’s flow.

• Remove all constricting items such as bracelets, watches, or rings before swelling occurs.
• Remember that using a cold compress on a venomous snake bite is not advisable. The cold may cause the local blood vessels to constrict and spread the venom faster.
• You can wash the affected area like any other wound with soap and water.
• You may cover the bite area with a moist dressing to reduce the swelling.

• Get medical attention as soon as possible. Call the hospital to tell them a venomous snake has bitten you. So they can have anti-venom ready to give you when you arrive.
• A person whom a venomous snake has bitten may go into shock. If this happens, lay them flat and cover them with a blanket.

Dressing for Snake Country

• High-top leather boots and long pants are both wise ideas.
• Also, wear loose-fitting denim. If there’s a gap before the snake’s fangs touch your skin, your chances of being envenomated are lower.
• In the absence of high-top leather boots, some people wear snake gaiters.