- Size:
Length in Kansas up to 33 1/2 inches.
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Range:
Found throughout the eastern three-quarters of Kansas; occurs on the High Plains
only along the aquatic corridors of the Arkansas and Cimarron river valleys. |
- Description:
Smallest rattlesnake in Kansas. Small pit on each side of head between and slightly
below eye and nostril, a small rattle on the tail and nine large scales on top of head.
Head, body and tail are gray or light brown with 20–50 dark gray or brown blotches on
back; smaller blotches on tail. Belly mottled, blotched or light with an indistinct
pattern. Young look like miniature adults.
- Habits:
Found in a wide variety of habitats ranging from arid open sagebrush prairie and
rocky, prairie hillsides to open wetlands; seems to reach a peak of abundance in grassy
wetlands such as Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. Diurnal during
spring and fall and prowls at night during summer. Three to 13 young per litter are born
in July and August. Eats frogs, lizards, other snakes and rodents.
Basic
Information About Snakebites
Death from snakebite is rare. There is only one
documented fatality in Kansas since 1950. Snakebites still occur and knowing what to do is
important for anyone who spends time in areas where venomous snakes are found.
- Precautions:
Always wear protective clothing when hiking the rugged areas of Kansas and never go
alone. Wear gloves if possible and don’t stick your hands under rock ledges, logs or
stumps. Sturdy, high boots are preferred footwear. Stay on paths or trails and watch where
you walk. If you discover a venomous snake, don’t try to catch or harass it. Venomous
snakes are a fascinating part of our environment. They are easy to observe and make easy
subjects to photograph with an appropriate lens. Be familiar with the venomous snakes of
Kansas. Learn to recognize the harmless snakes that resemble potentially dangerous ones.
For example, Northern Water Snakes frequently are mistaken for Copperheads and
Cottonmouths.
- If you are bitten by a snake:
Was the snake venomous? If you know you have been bitten by a harmless snake,
it will save you much stress and eliminate the need for treatment. Many people are bitten
by harmless snakes each year and experience nothing but small scratches that readily heal.
If you are certain a venomous snake was involved, get to the nearest hospital or medical
facility as quickly as possible. If possible, notify them ahead of time via telephone of
your situation. This gives the physician time to prepare and call the nearest poison
information center for advice.
The Arizona Poison and
Drug Information Center in Tucson (800-222-1222) maintains a list of which types of
antivenins (sometimes called antivenoms) are available and can advise a physician where to
call in the event of a bite from a venomous snake.
- If bitten by a venomous snake:
- Stay calm.
- Treat for shock.
- Drive to nearest hospital or medical facility.
- Do not attempt to kill or capture the snake. It gives the snake
another opportunity to bite.
- Do not use a tourniquet. If tied too tight, it may cause the
loss of a limb.
- Do not make cuts through or near the site of the bite.
- Do not try to suck venom from the site of the bite. You might
have a tooth cavity or gum sore and this would place venom into that wound.
- Do not allow anyone, including a physician, to administer
antivenin to you UNLESS you have FIRST been tested to determine whether or not you are
allergic to antivenin.
Regional Poison Information Centers are also
important sources of information.
For Kansas, call:
Mid-America Poison Control Center
University of Kansas Medical Center
3901 Rainbow Blvd., Room B-400
Kansas City, KS 66160-7231
Emergency Phone: (800) 332-6633 (KS only);
(913) 588-6633
TDD/TTY: (913) 588-6639 (TDD)
Website: www.kumed.com/poison/
If you do not live in Kansas, find your state
poison control center by clicking here.
Other Kansas venomous
snakes
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