Snake ID
April 25, 2012 10:30 AM Subscribe
I need to know what type of snake this is. It bit our dog. Snake
We're located in Georgia, near Atlanta. Dog is already with the vet.
We're located in Georgia, near Atlanta. Dog is already with the vet.
I'm guessing copperhead, but this is a guess, based on the internet.. See this page: How dangerous are copperhead snakes and various google images.
I strongly recommend calling a local pest control (maybe these guys) and asking them if you can email the picture. They can give you an ID and tell you how certain they are.
Good wishes for the pup.
posted by Made of Star Stuff at 10:36 AM on April 25, 2012
I strongly recommend calling a local pest control (maybe these guys) and asking them if you can email the picture. They can give you an ID and tell you how certain they are.
Good wishes for the pup.
posted by Made of Star Stuff at 10:36 AM on April 25, 2012
Copperhead, definitely.
posted by Monkeyswithguns at 10:36 AM on April 25, 2012
posted by Monkeyswithguns at 10:36 AM on April 25, 2012
Based on the photos on this page, copperhead seems like the only one that comes close. Hope your dog's OK.
posted by dlugoczaj at 10:42 AM on April 25, 2012
posted by dlugoczaj at 10:42 AM on April 25, 2012
Absolutely a copperhead; I live in GA out in the woods and see these from time to time They are also one of the most common snakes to bite humans around here. I have a friend whose six year old was bitten a few years ago and we just had a 9 year old bitten by one a week or so ago; both did fine. Fortunately copperheads are relatively weakly venomouns compared to some other snakes, even without treatment the mortality rate for human adults bitten by one is less than 1%.
That brown hourglass pattern is very distinctive and once you have seen it a few times it is easy to recognize. Captain_Science's link to the SREL herpetology site is a good one for info on reptiles and amphibians in the southeast; a friend of mine used to work there.
posted by TedW at 10:46 AM on April 25, 2012 [1 favorite]
That brown hourglass pattern is very distinctive and once you have seen it a few times it is easy to recognize. Captain_Science's link to the SREL herpetology site is a good one for info on reptiles and amphibians in the southeast; a friend of mine used to work there.
posted by TedW at 10:46 AM on April 25, 2012 [1 favorite]
That is almost surely a copperhead, the hourglass pattern is super distinct.
posted by elizardbits at 10:48 AM on April 25, 2012
posted by elizardbits at 10:48 AM on April 25, 2012
Response by poster: Thank you all for the id help. The snake was a copperhead, apparently a juvenile one going by the description/pictures in Captain_Science's link.
Max is currently with the vet, we'll be moving him to the emergency vet in a few hours so he can be observed overnight. They've found a vial of anti-venom nearby, but they want to see how he responds to supportive care first.
He's strong, but they're currently worried about his paw.
posted by weskit at 12:13 PM on April 25, 2012
Max is currently with the vet, we'll be moving him to the emergency vet in a few hours so he can be observed overnight. They've found a vial of anti-venom nearby, but they want to see how he responds to supportive care first.
He's strong, but they're currently worried about his paw.
posted by weskit at 12:13 PM on April 25, 2012
Copperhead bites to dogs are serious but usually survivable. I know two dogs who have been bitten 6 or more times (Kelso the hound mutt and Burma the plott hound - THEY DO NOT LEARN. EVER.) It sounds like your vet is on top of this; antivenin use in dogs presents dangers of its own. Scritch Max between the ears for me.
posted by workerant at 12:47 PM on April 25, 2012
posted by workerant at 12:47 PM on April 25, 2012
Dogs can get snake aversion training. My gf used to live in the South, where there were copperheads, water moccasins, and rattlesnakes. Her dogs -all- got snake aversion training. I'd be surprised if your vet didn't have five or six trainers' numbers right on hand to do that training.
posted by jet_silver at 5:13 PM on April 25, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by jet_silver at 5:13 PM on April 25, 2012 [1 favorite]
I hope that this has a happy ending. Would love an update.
posted by futz at 8:35 AM on April 29, 2012
posted by futz at 8:35 AM on April 29, 2012
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posted by Captain_Science at 10:33 AM on April 25, 2012