Kingsnake.com - Herpforum - RE: Copperhead bite information.

Posted by: taw at Sat May 8 02:46:02 2004 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by taw ]

If bitten by a Copperhead a trip to the hospital is not necessary because the venom is only designed to kill small mammals and frogs and is almost harmless to people. The venom has the same effects as bee, wasp, or hornet sting if even that. If there is a case where you are bitten just clean the bite with and anticeptic. A small amout of swelling may occour but shouldn't last over 12 hours.

The only part of this paragraph that is remotely accurate
is the fact that copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) venom evolved to subdue small prey. Copperhead venom is much less toxic when compared to that of other North American pit vipers and even others of the same genus. However, a copperhead envenomation is no small thing and depending on the severity of the bite can have serious medical consequences. Severe nausea, vomiting, tissue damage and necrosis of the bitten area are common effects of copperhead bite. It is not unheard of for a finger to have to be amputated do to necrosis. Gross nerve and muscle damage are also possibilities. As with any and all envenomations the possibility of severe allergic reaction is there.

There has never been a recorded death from a Copperhead bite anywhere in the world

I don't know if that statement is completely true, but I have never heard or read anything that spoke of anyone dying from a copperhead bite.