How dangerous are the venomous snakes in Florida?
Globally, the average number of snake-related deaths is at least 50,000 a year! This number may seem astronomical, but it is reality. In the US, we can use antivenoms, and while we have species like the wood rattlesnake and cottonmouth, they are not the most venomous snakes in the world.
Internationally, the "big four" snakes are responsible for approximately 75% of snakebite deaths. These snakes include the Russell pit viper, the common krait, the Indian cobra, and the sawtooth viper. Each of these snakes lives in India, where they come into contact with rapidly developing urban areas with large populations.
There are between 7,000 and 8,000 venomous snakebites reported in the United States each year, but only five result in death. The number of children bitten by snakes is much higher in Florida and Texas, in part because of the high number of snakes in each state.
There are six species of venomous snakes in Florida: Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, many woods of children bitten by snakes higher in Florida and Texas, in part due to the number of snakes in each state.
Florida has six venomous snakes within its borders: the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake, cottonmouth, copperhead, and eastern coral snake. Recent snake bite deaths included a 2014 incident where a 4-year-old was bitten by a timber rattlesnake and two deaths in 2005 from a coral and eastern diamondback rattlesnake. Overall, most recorded snakebite deaths in Florida have come from eastern diamondbacks.
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