Health Library
The Health Library is a collection of health and wellness resources created for learning and accessibility. Select a topic below for related health information or search for a topic in the search bar for more information on other medical conditions.
Snake and Lizard Bites
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Poisonous snake or lizard bite A bite from a poisonous (venomous) snake or lizard requires emergency care. If you have been bitten by a snake or lizard that you know or think might be poisonous, call or other emergency services immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to develop. If you are not sure what type of...
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Poisonous snake or lizard bite A bite from a poisonous (venomous) snake or lizard requires emergency care. If you have been bitten by a snake or lizard that you know or think might be poisonous, call or other emergency services immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to develop. If you are not sure what type of...
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The Gila monster and the Mexican beaded lizard are two types of poisonous (venomous) lizards found in North America. These large, thick-bodied lizards have short, stubby limbs. They live in desert regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Poisonous lizards do not generally bite unless they are...
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Poisonous snake or lizard bite A bite from a poisonous (venomous) snake or lizard requires emergency care. If you have been bitten by a snake or lizard that you know or think might be poisonous, call or other emergency services immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to develop. If you are not sure what type of...
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The copperhead is a poisonous (venomous) pit viper found in areas extending from the eastern United States to Texas. Copperheads may leave distinctive double marks on the skin. They leave one, two, or three puncture marks on the skin, but you won't always see any marks. A copperhead has: Hourglass-shaped...
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Coral snakes are found in tropical regions of North America and are often confused with nonpoisonous (nonvenomous) milk snakes because they look similar. A coral snake can be up to 3 ft (1 m) long and has: Red, yellow, and black bands along the length of the body. Round pupils and a black nose...
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The cottonmouth, also called a water moccasin, is a poisonous (venomous) snake found in southeastern and south central North America. They leave one, two, or three puncture marks on the skin, but you won't always see any marks. Water moccasins can be up to 6 ft (2 m) long and have: Distinctive white...
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Rattlesnakes are the most widely known of the pit vipers (family Viperidae). They are found throughout the United States and parts of Canada and account for most poisonous (venomous) snakebites in North America. They leave one, two, or three puncture marks on the skin, but you won't always see any marks...
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Pit vipers, such as the rattlesnake, copperhead, and cottonmouth (also called water moccasin), are poisonous (venomous) snakes. They leave one, two, or three puncture marks on the skin, but you won't always see any marks. Symptoms of a pit viper snakebite usually appear within a few minutes to a few hours after a bite...
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Snake venoms can cause many problems, such as: Blood-clotting problems. Injury to muscles. Low blood pressure leading to shock. Kidney damage. Nervous system problems. Severe allergic reactions. Swelling. Antivenom is a medicine that is given to stop snake venom from binding to tissues and causing serious...