The Scary Tale of Snakesss… and Their Bitesss

Abstract

If you have a fear of snakes, you are not alone! There are over 3,000 species of snakes in the world and many of them are poisonous. The most common poisonous snake in the United States is called the pit viper. Poisonous snakes use their venom to capture prey or to bite their enemies in self-defense. If a snake bites you, it is important that you go to the hospital to get treated. Some doctors specialize in recognizing and treating snakebites, and there is an antidote that can be given for bites from the most dangerous snakes. In this article, we review why some snakebites are worse than others and what to do if you are bitten.