Louisiana Snakes Are Out But It’s Not Likely They’ll Bite You

I have seen a lot of discussion of late regarding the annual reappearance of snakes, especially venomous snakes, and the increased odds for getting bitten this time of year.

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Obviously we want to keep our eyes open while working the flower beds or spending the day on one of our many Louisiana lakes, but to be frank, you're highly unlikely to be bitten by a venomous snake, and if you are, the chances are even slimmer that it will kill you.

Louisiana Has The 5th Highest Amount Of Snakebites Each Year

According to worldpopulationreview.com, Louisiana falls behind Texas, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida as the fifth highest state in America for snakebites, but we only average a reported 334 incidences per year and the American Journal For Tropical Medicine and Hygiene says none of those were fatal.  In fact, they report there hasn't been a snakebite fatality in Louisiana in the past twenty five years.

To put this in perspective, about 4.5 million people in America are bitten by dogs each year, with most of those being children, so while snakes do pose a danger, by comparison, the danger is relatively low.

The Most Snakebites In Louisiana Are From Water Moccasins & Rattlesnakes

There are only seven species of venomous snakes in Louisiana, but of the reported snake bites in the Bayou State, the ones reported to bite most often are water moccasins and rattlesnakes, but again, though the bite can be extremely painful and can bring on serious medical complications, it's really not likely to be fatal.

I'm not suggesting that you should throw caution to the wind, but happening on a copperhead in your backyard garden shouldn't be something to lose sleep over.

What we should be concerned about are things like heart disease and homicide.  Just check out the Top 10 Most Likely Things to Kill You in Louisiana.