00:00Understanding America's four main venomous snake groups and staying safe.
00:05The United States does not have one venomous snake problem.
00:09It has four main groups people need to recognize.
00:14Rattlesnakes are the most famous, with species spread across much of the country, especially
00:18the south, southwest, and west.
00:21Copperheads are common in the eastern and central US, often blending perfectly into
00:26leaves and forest edges.
00:29Cottonmouths, also called water moccasins, live mostly around southeastern wetlands, swamps,
00:34ponds, and slow-moving water.
00:36Coral snakes are smaller, brightly banded, and found mainly in the south, but they are also
00:41the easiest group for people to misidentify, because harmless mimics exist.
00:46That is the real danger.
00:49Most people want a simple trick.
00:51Triangle head.
00:53Slit pupils.
00:55Color pattern.
00:55But those shortcuts can fail, and getting close enough to check a snake's eyes is already too close.
01:02The safer rule is distance.
01:06Learn which venomous snakes live in your region before hiking, gardening, fishing, or clearing brush.
01:13Watch where you step.
01:15Never reach blindly under logs, rocks, sheds, or wood piles.
01:19Keep pets away.
01:21And do not try to catch or kill the snake.
01:24If bitten, call emergency services immediately.
01:27Stay calm, remove tight jewelry, and get medical help fast.
01:32Do not cut the wound, use ice, apply a tourniquet, or try to suck out venom.
01:38The best snake expert is the person who never needed to touch it.
01:42And do not try to catch the wound.
01:43But we are using a flower.
01:43Ever do not try to catch the juices from the backyard.
01:43You have to take a quarter.
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