Here’s when a copperhead in SC is more likely to bite you, new research shows
.jpg "The copperhead is the most common venomous snake in South Carolina.")
The hotter it gets, the more likely a copperhead or other venomous snake is likely to bite you, new research shows.
An Emory University study determined that the risk of being bitten by a snake jumps 6% with every degree Celsius that daily temperatures increase.
There are six types of venomous snakes in South Carolina and the copperhead is the most common, according to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.
The study, published in GeoHealth, analyzed all emergency department visits reported by the Georgia Hospital Association from 2014-2020 — during which time there were more than 5,000 snakebite-related hospitalizations, including 3,908 reported venomous snake bites. That data was compared to the minimum and maximum temperatures, air pressure and humidity on the dates the bites occurred. The researchers then compared that data with the temperature on the same day of the week within the same month.
“An increase in odds of snake bite by 6% per degrees Celsius is a strong effect and is certainly higher than what we often see from other types of health outcomes that are linked to heat,” Noah Scovronick, assistant professor of environmental health at Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health and the study’s lead author, said in a recent press release. “Our results show that we need to spend more effort understanding the potential health burdens from snakebite in the context of climate change. The large temperature effects we found, combined with the fact that snakebites often affect populations without access to adequate health care – particularly in other parts of the world – indicates that rising temperatures is a reason for concern.”
Snake bites in SC
South Carolina has seen an uptick in year-over-year snake bites in 2023 so far, according to the Palmetto Poison Center.
“I cannot project out for the rest of the year, but we have received more snakebite calls at this time of year vs the last three years,” Christina DeRienzo, education coordinator for the poison center, wrote in a Thursday email to The State. “The number of bites we are consulted on per year can vary but are generally between 240-270 bites/year.”
Below are the number of snake bite cases the poison center has handled between 2020 and 2023.
- 2020: 244 total (through July, 153)
- 2021: 264 total (through July, 156)
- 2022: 245 total (through July, 155)
- 2023 YTD 174
DeRienzo added that of the 174 reported bites this year, 135 were positively identified as a venomous snakebite or were determined to be venomous based on symptoms. And of those, 84 received antivenom.
“Not all bites from venomous snakes need antivenom therapy, it depends on the symptom severity,” DeRienzo wrote. “And some people can have what is called a ‘dry bite.’ The snake bites but no venom is released.”
Copperheads and other venomous snakes
The copperhead gets its name from the coppery-tan color on its head and on parts of its body, Clemson Cooperative Extension states. Copperheads have triangular-shaped heads, similar to an arrowhead and can grow up to 4 feet long.
Copperheads also feature an hourglass-shaped pattern on their bodies — from the head down to the tail. When curled up, this camouflage can make them look like a pile of leaves. And like most other venomous snakes in South Carolina, copperheads have yellow eyes with black vertical and elliptical pupils.
Other venomous snakes in South Carolina include the cottonmouth, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, the pigmy rattlesnake, the coral snake and the timber rattlesnake.
What to do after a snakebite
Stay calm after venomous snakebite
Remaining calm and composed can be vital after a snakebite. Panicking can elevate your heart rate and accelerate the spread of venom throughout your body.
Remove constrictive items
Victims should remove any jewelry or restrictive clothing from around the snakebite. Swelling from the bite will likely occur and any restrictive items could impede circulation and worsen the situation.
Keep the snakebite high
Do your best to keep the snake bite high or at a neutral level to help reduce swelling. Also, limit the movement of the affected limb and avoid any unnecessary physical activity.
Clean the wound
Clean the bite wound with water or with soap if possible. While it won’t neutralize the venom, cleaning could help minimize the risk of infection.
Get to a hospital
You need to go to a hospital for care. Facilities will have antivenom to treat you, regardless of which kind of venomous South Carolina snake has bitten you.
