RESIDENTS SHOULD TAKE PRECAUTIONS NEAR CORAL SNAKES

Summer is a great time for fun outdoor adventures in Lake County. Like anywhere else, there are occasional dangers to consider- one of those is venomous Coral snakes.   Although bites are infrequent, the strength of a coral snake's venom is the second deadliest after the black mamba.

Coral snake habitats can be found in most places in Lake County with rotting wood, decaying plants, and piles of leaves. The best precautions are to avoid these hiding places and to wear pants and tall boots when in any of these environments

Having the ability to identify a coral snake is the next best precaution to avoid a fatal encounter with one. "Red touch black, safe for Jack. Red touch yellow kills a fellow" is a simple rhyme that serves as an accurate way to identify local coral snakes.

Due to the small mouths and fangs of coral snakes,  it is difficult for them to puncture human skin. However, since their venom is extremely poisonous, any bite should be treated as an emergency with a call to 911.  Coral snakes have a powerful neurotoxin that paralyzes the victim’s breathing muscles. Mechanical or artificial respiration, along with large doses of expensive antivenom, are often required to save a  life.

Symptoms can take several hours to appear and include color changing or bruising at the wound site, swelling. slurred speech, double vision, muscular paralysis, severe burning, nausea, weakness, and an odd taste in the mouth.

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