Don't reach under that log! See which venomous snakes to look out for in Illinois
Though your instinct may be to fear them, very few of the state's native species are harmful, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. You just need to know how to correctly interact with and identify them while in their home territory.
Here's a look at what snakes you might find around Illinois and what to do if you spot them.
Are there venomous snakes in Illinois?
Only four of Illinois' 40 native snake species are venomous, according to the IDNR. Here's what to look out for:
Found throughout southern Illinois. Average length of 24 to 36 inches with a flattened head wider than its neck and ridged scales. The snake has a copper-red head, red-brown or yellow-brown body and hour-glass markings across the back when viewed from above. They prefer forests and river bluffs.
Found mostly in southern and western regions of Illinois. Average length of 36-60 inches in length. A flat head much wider than the neck with a rattle at the tip of its tail and ridged scales. The body is gray, yellow or green-white with a series of dark bands along the back and a rust-colored stripe in the middle of the back. A dark bar may be found between the eye and jaw.
Northern Cottonmouth: Found in swamps and wetlands in the southern tip of Illinois. Averages 30-42 inches in length with a flat head much wider than its neck. Ridged scales with plain black or brown coloring and little evidence of a pattern. Some have dim crossbands across the back.
Found in prairie wetlands and river flood plains in the Chicago metro area, as well as parts of central Illinois. Average length of 18-30 inches with flat head much wider than its neck and ridged scales. The snake has a rattle at the tip of its tail, a row of dark blotches down its back and three rows of dark spots on the sides. The body is gray.
Non-venomous snake species found in Illinois
Here's a list of the remaining nonvenomous snake species found in Illinois:
Scarletsnake
North American Racer
Coachwhip
Prairie Kingsnake
Eastern Kingsnake
Milksnake
Rough Greensnake
Smooth Greensnake
Great Plains Ratsnake
Western Foxsnake
Gray Ratsnake
Eastern Foxsnake
Gophersnake
Flat-Headed Snake
Common Wormsnake
Western Wormsnake
Ring-Necked Snake
Red-Bellied Mudsnake
Western Hog-Nosed Snake
Eastern Hog-Nosed Snake
Kirtland's Snake
Mississippi Green Watersnake
Plain-Bellied Watersnake
Southern Watersnake
Diamond-Backed Watersnake
Common Watersnake
Graham's Crayfish Snake
Queensnake
DeKay's Brownsnake
Red-Bellied Snake
Western Ribbonsnake
Plains Gartersnake
Eastern Ribbonsnake
Common Gartersnake
Lined Snake
Smooth Earthsnake
What to do if you see a snake
The Illinois Poison Center and IDNR recommend avoiding the following actions if you find yourself in areas with snakes:
Intentionally handling a snake
Attempting to trap or feed a wild snake
Touching a snake that appears dead (freshly killed snakes can bite)
Stepping on a snake in the wild
Reaching under or stepping over rocks or logs (look around before sitting)
The two organizations recommend wearing leather boots in areas known to house venomous snakes.
What to do if a snake bites you
The IPC recommends the following actions if you are bitten by a snake:
Immobilize the affected limb.
Remove any jewelry such as rings, bracelets and watches.
Do not apply ice or heat, tight tourniquet, electric shocks, conduct oral suctioning or make incisions to the bite area.
Go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
You can speak to toxicology experts through the IPC's helpline 24/7 at 1-800-222-1222.
Snakebite symptoms
Here's a list of venomous snakebite symptoms, according to the IPC:
Rapid progressive swelling
Severe pain
Redness on skin
Broken blood vessel or bruised appearance
Large blisters
Bleeding
Tissue ulceration
Tingling of the mouth, hands and feet
Drop in blood pressure or shock
Respiratory failure
Weakness and sweating
Nausea and vomiting
Are venomous snake bites deadly?
Venomous snake bites are usually not deadly, but are painful and can cause swelling, nausea and the risk of infection, according to the IDNR. If you are bitten, go to a hospital for treatment immediately.
Jenny Porter Tilley contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Does Illinois have venomous snakes? What to do if you see one, get bit
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