Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect accurate information regarding snake bite treatment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend bringing a dead snake to the hospital after a snakebite, as stated in the video above and previously stated in the article below. This weekend, many people will spend time outdoors watching fireworks or hosting backyard barbecues for the Fourth of July. If you’re getting outside, you might come across one of the Triad’s dozens of species of snakes.Local environmental specialist Parker Whitt says there are several species folks commonly come across.”Most of the time, people see black rat snakes, black racers and black rat snakes. Sometimes in the garden, brown snakes, crown snakes and garter snakes,” Whitt said. “And if you’re around a lake or a pond or any body of water, we have about three or four water snake species.”Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking hereWhitt says that all of these snakes are non-venomous, but some may be mistaken for venomous species.”One of the most misidentified snakes in our area is a young black snake. They’re patterned when they’re born, gray and black,” he said. “And over time, they lose the pattern and turn sort of black and a little bit white.”However, there is one common species people should watch out for. “In Forsyth County we only have one venomous snake; that’s the copperhead,” he said. Keep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.Whitt says snakes tend to emerge from hibernation in March and April. This time of year, they’re more active at certain times of day.“When it gets this hot, normally they’re not active in the daytime, they’re active at night,” he said. “And that’s also when their prey’s out, usually mice and rats and moles and shrews.”Just like humans, Whitt says snakes will try to find some relief from the blistering hot summer temperatures. “That’s why people see them sometimes accidentally in their basements and in their crawl space, accidentally in their house,” he said. Watch: NOWCAST streaming newscastsYou may not like to find them in your home or out in nature, but with the exception of the copperhead, most snakes in the Triad area are harmless. He says most of them aren’t out to bite people.”If you see a snake before he sees you, the best thing is to leave it alone,” he said. “He would rather flee than fight.”He says people poking and prodding snakes or accidentally stepping on them can lead to bites.”Especially at night, going to the garbage can or doing anything in the yard with flip-flops or barefoot, that’s a no-no,” he said. “You need to at least put on some old tennis shoes or something to protect your feet from a copperhead bite.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if you get bitten by a venomous snake, you should seek immediate medical attention. DO’SLay or sit down with the bite in a neutral positionKeep calmRemove jewelry before swelling beginDONT’SDo not cut the wound and attempt to suck out the venomDo not drive yourself to the hospital, as a snakebite can make you dizzy or pass outDo not apply a tourniquet to the areaDo not pick up or touch the snakeDo not apply ice or immerse the wound in waterDo not take over-the-counter painkillersSEE: Venomous snakes in North CarolinaNAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Watch NOWCAST TV | Local News | National | News We Love Trending Stories

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect accurate information regarding snake bite treatment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend bringing a dead snake to the hospital after a snakebite, as stated in the video above and previously stated in the article below.

This weekend, many people will spend time outdoors watching fireworks or hosting backyard barbecues for the Fourth of July. If you’re getting outside, you might come across one of the Triad’s dozens of species of snakes.

Local environmental specialist Parker Whitt says there are several species folks commonly come across.

“Most of the time, people see black rat snakes, black racers and black rat snakes. Sometimes in the garden, brown snakes, crown snakes and garter snakes,” Whitt said. “And if you’re around a lake or a pond or any body of water, we have about three or four water snake species.”

Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here

Whitt says that all of these snakes are non-venomous, but some may be mistaken for venomous species.

“One of the most misidentified snakes in our area is a young black snake. They’re patterned when they’re born, gray and black,” he said. “And over time, they lose the pattern and turn sort of black and a little bit white.”

However, there is one common species people should watch out for.

“In Forsyth County we only have one venomous snake; that’s the copperhead,” he said.

Keep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.

Whitt says snakes tend to emerge from hibernation in March and April. This time of year, they’re more active at certain times of day.

“When it gets this hot, normally they’re not active in the daytime, they’re active at night,” he said. “And that’s also when their prey’s out, usually mice and rats and moles and shrews.”

Just like humans, Whitt says snakes will try to find some relief from the blistering hot summer temperatures.

“That’s why people see them sometimes accidentally in their basements and in their crawl space, accidentally in their house,” he said.

Watch: NOWCAST streaming newscasts

You may not like to find them in your home or out in nature, but with the exception of the copperhead, most snakes in the Triad area are harmless. He says most of them aren’t out to bite people.

“If you see a snake before he sees you, the best thing is to leave it alone,” he said. “He would rather flee than fight.”

He says people poking and prodding snakes or accidentally stepping on them can lead to bites.

“Especially at night, going to the garbage can or doing anything in the yard with flip-flops or barefoot, that’s a no-no,” he said. “You need to at least put on some old tennis shoes or something to protect your feet from a copperhead bite.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if you get bitten by a venomous snake, you should seek immediate medical attention.

DO’S

  • Lay or sit down with the bite in a neutral position
  • Keep calm
  • Remove jewelry before swelling begin

DONT’S

  • Do not cut the wound and attempt to suck out the venom
  • Do not drive yourself to the hospital, as a snakebite can make you dizzy or pass out
  • Do not apply a tourniquet to the area
  • Do not pick up or touch the snake
  • Do not apply ice or immerse the wound in water
  • Do not take over-the-counter painkillers

SEE: Venomous snakes in North Carolina

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Copperhead snake

The Copperhead is the most common and widespread venomous snake in North Carolina.

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Cottonmouth Snake

The cottonmouth is common in eastern North Carolina.

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Timber Rattlesnake

North Carolina is home to three rattlesnake species: the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake and Pigmy Rattlesnake.

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Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

North Carolina is home to three rattlesnake species: the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake and Pigmy Rattlesnake.

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Pigmy Rattlesnake

North Carolina is home to three rattlesnake species: the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake and Pigmy Rattlesnake.

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Eastern Coral Snake

The highly venomous coral snake takes its name from its bright colors, reminiscent of those found in some species of coral. It is North Carolina’s only member of the cobra family and our only snake with strictly neurotoxic venom.

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