This Tennessee County Experiences the Most Snake Bites

Snake locations in the U.S. vary greatly by region and the further south you travel, the more likely you are to run into a venomous species. While rattlesnakes are found in the northern part of the country, the south is home to species such as the cottonmouth, copperhead, and eastern coral snake. While Arizona, Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Alabama are home to most snake bites, Tennessee should not be left off this list, especially with the timber rattlesnake right in its backyard as the most dangerous.

Which Snake Species Are Found Throughout Tennessee, and How Many Are There?

Tennessee is no stranger to venomous snakes, and it’s surprising to learn this state is home to four total. While snakebites from these snakes are rare, they mostly happen outdoors where the chance for human-snake interaction is higher. The venomous snakes native to Tennessee are:

• Copperhead (highland moccasin)
• Cottonmouth (water moccasin)
• Pygmy rattlesnake
• Timber rattlesnake/Canebreak rattlesnake

The state’s unique topography plays a large role in the species that inhabit it, as not every region will be home to the same snake. Timber rattlesnakes predominantly remain in Tennessee’s mountainous regions. This is why hikers and those camping in the Great Smoky Mountains are more likely to see them. Meanwhile, a cottonmouth would be more likely to be found on the opposite side of the state, as they prefer flatter land home to plenty of watersheds.

Timber Rattlesnake

The timber rattlesnake is a bit of a contradiction because while it’s the most dangerous snake in Tennessee, it’s also the most elusive. Timber rattlers are fairly shy regarding humans and will do their best to remain hidden, likely under rocks or in wood piles. Hikers usually come into contact with them unintentionally while on the trails. Sometimes they’re found on a stream-adjacent hiking trail, underneath fallen logs, or even between crevices in boulders.

Thankfully, as with any rattlesnake species, timber rattlers will provide plenty of warning before snapping into action. The rattles in their tails are indicative that you’re too close, and unless you’re right on top of one, this warning usually provides enough time to step away.

• Biggest Threat: The reason the timber rattlesnake is so dangerous lies in their lengthy fangs and potent venom. They have a high venom yield, which makes this snake bite far more serious than Tennessee’s other pit vipers.

Pygmy Rattlesnake

In stark contrast to the timber rattlesnake, the pygmy is only found in the western reaches of Tennessee. Despite its neighboring rattler’s preference for wooded, mountainous terrain, the pygmy rattlesnake prefers lakes and low-lying marshlands.

That’s not the only way these Tennessee rattlesnakes differ, though. The pygmy rattlesnake is — as implied by its size — much smaller, measuring two feet in length at most. In contrast, the timber rattlesnake can grow up to five feet. The sound of its rattle also differs and is more akin to a buzz than the harsh rattling of the timber, which can only be heard within three feet of the snake.

While they’re incredibly rare, they can be easily identified by their size and coloring. The pygmy rattler is more colorful than the timber, defined by gray or sometimes tan stripes that intersect with orange banding. Most pygmy rattlesnakes will also have a black stripe that spans the length of its eyes down to its mouth, with a cream-colored underbelly. They are quick swimmers, so a flash of these colors might be all you’ll see if you’re out hiking in marshlands!

• Biggest Threat: The pygmy rattlesnake causes very little threat to humans and is considered a threatened species in Tennessee. It’s highly unlikely for a human to run into one, and even less likely you’d be bitten.

Copperhead

Of all four venomous snakes in Tennessee, the copperhead is the only one that occupies the entire state rather than just one region. With that being said, there are northern and southern copperheads, discernable by slight differences in coloring. Also known as the highland moccasin, this versatile species can be found in both rocky terrain and low-lying watersheds. They have no preference when it comes to urban versus countryside settings. However, they usually avoid open areas, so it’s not uncommon to find these snakes closer to home.

The copperhead isn’t always easily identified and often gets mistaken for other non-venomous species, such as milksnakes. The defining characteristic of a copperhead is its triangular-shaped head that’s usually copper-colored and punctuated by dimples directly below its eyes. The banding on these snakes will appear in the form of copper-tan and dark brown hourglass shapes, with a gray or pink underbelly.

• Biggest Threat: Compared to Tennessee’s other pit vipers, the venom of the copperhead is not very potent despite the reputation this snake has garnered. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency reports these snakes are threatened by road traffic and humans, who often kill them on sight in residential areas. Copperheads are fairly shy and their biggest pitfall is how often they end up around in urban areas, resulting in more snake bites.

Cottonmouth

Known just as commonly by its alternatively as the water moccasin, the cottonmouth snake is prevalent in the western half of Tennessee. While not as large as the timber rattler, it’s still a behemoth of a snake with a length of up to four feet and a thick body that allows for powerful movements. The cottonmouth’s reputation precedes it, but there are quite a few misconceptions about the nature of this pit viper.

Identifying it is fairly easy although it can be confused with watersnakes, due to their dual nature of existing both on land and in the water. However, the cottonmouth snake has sensory pits on its face and vertical, cat-like pupils, which the watersnake does not. Additionally, cottonmouths feature dark brown and black banding which can vary in distinction. Its most notable trait, however, is its white, “cotton-like” mouth for which it was aptly named.

• Biggest Threat: According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the cottonmouth is not nearly as aggressive as its reputation might suggest. Rather, a cornered snake will attempt to escape via the easiest means possible. This lack of direction is why many people believe the snake is aggressively coming after them. In reality, it’s more likely trying to find an escape route. While snake bites from a cottonmouth are rare, they do happen — and their venom is fairly potent.

Which Counties See the Most Snake Bites?

Determining which counties see the most snake bites in Tennessee comes down to first seeing which counties have the largest snake populous. The snake responsible for the most bites is one of the state’s four venomous pit vipers: the copperhead. This isn’t shocking considering this snake doesn’t shy away from residential areas. It can often be found in urban environments where human-snake interactions are more common. This well-known snake accounts for roughly 30% of all snake bites in the U.S., making it one of Tennessee’s most infamous venomous species.

With that being said, these are the counties where the most snake bites are commonly reported:

• Shelby
• Knox
• Davidson

All of these counties house three of Tennessee’s major cities: Memphis, Knoxville and Nashville. This goes to show how widespread the copperhead is, although snake bites as a whole are rarer than many realize.

Why Are Copperheads Responsible for So Many Snake Bites?

The copperhead is highly adaptable which means it’s great at survival, but isn’t always good news for humans living in its territory. The copperhead can easily adapt to urban environments and often finds its way into towns and cities in Tennessee. As a result, human encounters are higher with this species than any other.

A recent study shows that the higher the temperature is, the more snake bites are reported. This direct correlation in the weather is why so many snake bites happen during the summer. This also explains why states such as Tennessee are prone to more human-snake encounters than many others.

Most Notable Tennessee Snake Bite

In July of 2011, a man named Wade Westbrook was bitten by a copperhead in East Ridge, not far outside of Chattanooga. Tragically, his snake bite made headlines when the bite proved to be fatal. Westbrook was conscious for only minutes before succumbing to what medical examiners now know was anaphylactic shock.

A friend of Westbrook’s had brought a copperhead to his house and while trying to handle the snake, Westbrook was bitten just above his elbow. Despite the bite, emergency services were not called right away — because Westbrook had been bitten by a copperhead before. So, how is it that he survived the first bite but not the second?

Experts determined that unlike viruses, where repeated infection builds up immunity, snake bites are the opposite. Being bitten by the same venomous snake more than once can make humans more susceptible to their venom as time goes on, a process called hypersensitivity. The more times someone is bitten by the same venomous snake, the more propensity they have to be hypersensitized. Thus, the more potent their venom becomes bite after bite.

There are important lessons to be learned from the case of Wade Westbrook and others who handle venomous snakes. While anywhere from 8,000 to 10,000 snake bites are reported annually, about 3,000 of those reports are from people who were trying to handle or get near a venomous snake. These reports are labeled as “illegitimate,” since they are not unprovoked and are considered to be a handler error.

How to Avoid Being Bitten By a Snake

Of all reported snake bite cases, a total of only 12-15 deaths are reported, making the chance of a fatal bite extremely rare. In addition, 50% of all snake bites are “dry,” which means no venom has been injected during the bite. A common misconception about snake bites – and pit vipers, in general – is that every bite brings with it a lethal dose of venom. In reality, many times a snake bite is a defensive maneuver and not one to bring down prey.

However, with roughly 85% of snake bites being below the knee according to Snakes of Tennessee, it’s not entirely uncommon that a person will unintentionally spook a low-lying snake, prompting a bite. Here’s how to avoid doing that if you live in Tennessee or another state with native venomous snakes:

• Avoid Handling Snakes: This includes any attempts to remove them from your home. Often, snake bites happen when people try to catch, release, or corner a snake, and 100% of these can be prevented.
• Take Precautions With Yard Work: You might not realize a snake is there until you reach in to pull a weed and come up with a bite. Wearing shoes and thick gloves while doing any yard work is always a good idea. In addition to this, keeping a well-maintained yard also helps.
• Considering Thicker Hiking Gear: When going on hikes in pit-viper-populated places, consider wearing leather hiking boots or another thick material. Rattlesnake fangs are long and can penetrate most fabrics easily.
• Do Not Pick Up Rocks Or Logs: Before moving any rock or gathering logs, be sure to check underneath rather than blindly grabbing. Snakes often make dens or hideaways in crevices such as these or will await prey nearby.
• Pay Attention To The Path: Many snake bites are below the knee because people are caught off-guard when stepping near or even on top of a snake. Keep your eyes peeled and watch for any movement, especially in tall grass or on rocky or poorly-maintained trails.

What to Do if You Are Bitten

Tennessee is home to 32 different species of snakes, which means that more often than not, a bite from one will not be fatal or even venomous. If you are bitten by a snake, however, here’s what you should do according to Vanderbilt University Medical Center:

1. Call Tennessee Poison Control at (800) 222-1222.
2. Do not panic. In most cases, a snake bite will not be venomous. If it is, in most cases, it’s not fatal. Panicking speeds up your heart rate which in turn circulates venom through the body even more quickly.
3. Immobilize the area and remove jewelry or tight clothing in the event of swelling.
4. Clean the wound with soap and water, then cover with a clean bandage or cloth.
5. Monitor all symptoms, if any, very closely. The signs of envenomation can include nausea, vomiting, excruciating pain, and uncontrollable bleeding. Alternatively, swelling, itching, and mild to moderate pain are common symptoms of a snake bite.
6. Take a photo or be able to describe the appearance of the snake.

What to Avoid Doing After a Snake Bite

There are plenty of myths out there when it comes to actions you should take after being bitten by a snake. Here’s what not to do:

1. Do not try to suck the venom out – this is ineffective and will only contaminate the wound further.
2. Do not apply a tourniquet, as this will cut off blood flow and circulation to the area.
3. Do not submerge the bite in water or apply ice.
4. Do not attempt to open the wound further to extract the venom.

In any instance of a snake bite, it’s recommended that you go to the hospital. Antivenom can be administered there where medical professionals will continue to monitor symptoms and even if a bite is non-venomous, it doesn’t hurt to get the wound checked.