The stunning natural beauty of Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley is simply unparalleled. Many of us cannot even imagine being anywhere else yet living here in our little corner of paradise does come with its share of dangers, including many poisonous snakes in the area. It’s a bit of a conundrum. After all, it’s their home too, and they play an important, essential role in the local ecosystem. While we cannot simply exterminate them, we can learn to coexist with them peacefully. Knowledge is the key.
There are presently
39 known species of snakes native to Arkansas, only 6 of which are venomous:
Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
Northern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)
Texas Gulf-Coast Coral Snake (Micrurus tener)
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)
Western Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius)
Contrary to the way snakes are sometimes portrayed in movies and media, they are not aggressive towards humans. They won’t typically bite unless threatened and usually try to run (slither) away first. The following tips can greatly minimize your chances of a snake encounter:
Snakebites are fairly uncommon, but they do happen. Rattlesnakes are the worst offenders and account for approximately 63% of the bites in the state. Deaths are extremely rare, however. According to the Arkansas Department of Health, only three deaths from snakebite have been recorded here, and those happened many decades ago. Here’s what to do (and what not to do) if you’ve been bitten by a snake:
If you have a snake on your property that needs to be removed or other snake issues (whether venomous or not), avoid the temptation to handle the animals yourself. Please contact a professional for assistance like Natural State Wildlife Solutions. We are the leading local experts. We can swiftly and humanely remove the snake threat and advise on preventative measures to help keep them away.
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