Tiny Copperhead
Was I just bit by a venomous snake? Please help.?
So I was outside cleaning up some old lumber and I found what I thought was a small rat snake- which usually aren’t very aggressive. I picked it up to take it away from the house and right before I let it go it gave me a casual bite on my left index finger. I sat it down on the ground and it slithered away. I looked at my hand and i had four tiny bite marks -top and bottom teeth I guess- on my finger. Its about an hour later and its tingling a little but no swelling or discoloration. But I am very worried if it was a copperhead- I live in Maryland and we do have them in the area. From what I remember of the snake it had the banding but did not have the triangular head- it was a very streamlined head. I couldn’t see the shape of the pupils because the snake had cataracts. I dont want to go to the hospital for no reason. If anyone has advise about the symptoms of a venomous bite- other than don’t pick up snakes- I would really appreciate it.
You should be fine but make sure to wash the wound with antibacterial soap to ward off infection. Copperheads have very triangular heads and would have left distinct fang puncture wounds. Two big holes on top, not four same sized bite marks. Copperhead bites would be met by significant pain, swelling, and tissue damage (necrosis). I would guess a rat snake or similar species is what bit you. It was getting ready to shed since it looked like it had cataracts, which were eyecaps because the snake is going to shed. This can make them more agressive as well and I am sure you scared it as much as it scared you. Just keep the wound clean and watch out for infection but I can’t think there is any reason for a hospital visit unless you notice any more severe symptoms soon. After and hour, a venomous snake bite would be very, very painfull from any venomous species that would be in your area.
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