Super User Micro Posted November 20, 2007 Super User Posted November 20, 2007 These are series of photos posted at a snake forum I frequent. They were posted by a guy that was bitten on the fingertip while reaching for his camera by a cottonmouth he did not see. The photos show a rather graphic injury to the finger. I thought they were very interesting and migh be of interest to southern bass fishermen who share space on water with these snakes. Was photographing this snake when another one bit him: http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/DeanAlessandrini123/0000Indytalk.jpg Five minutes post bite to the right index finger: http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/DeanAlessandrini123/Slide70.jpg 3 hours later: http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/DeanAlessandrini123/Slide80.jpg Also 3 hour later showing the gradual swelling of the limb: http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/DeanAlessandrini123/Slide77.jpg 6 hours later: http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/DeanAlessandrini123/Slide81.jpg 1 week later: http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/DeanAlessandrini123/Slide86.jpg 8-10 weeks later - getting feeling back: http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/DeanAlessandrini123/Slide92-1.jpg 12 weeks later: http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/DeanAlessandrini123/Slide93.jpg Also 12 weeks later: http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/DeanAlessandrini123/Slide94.jpg The final outcome, permanently disfigured: http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/DeanAlessandrini123/Slide95.jpg Moral, watch where you step or put your hands. Cottonmouth venom is unforgiving. Quote
Super User KU_Bassmaster. Posted November 20, 2007 Super User Posted November 20, 2007 I can't get myself to click on those links. I can only imagine. I am already scared of snakes enough. Quote
Super User Micro Posted November 20, 2007 Author Super User Posted November 20, 2007 They aren't that bad. I wouldn't post anything that would make you throw up. This guy actually got off lucky. I know a fellow that got bit on the right thumb and never got any antivenin - just treated with antibiotics and antihistamines. After several months, his thumb had to be amputated due to chronic infections and gangrene. Quote
slomoe Posted November 20, 2007 Posted November 20, 2007 Oh snap! crazy pics. I've seen a few of them around here. Didn't know they could cause permanent damage. Quote
Super User Long Mike Posted November 20, 2007 Super User Posted November 20, 2007 I grew up in the swamp country of Louisiana, so I'm no stranger to poisonous snakes. Caution was the order of the day when out amongst the "critters" so I've never known of anyone being bitten by a Moccasin, or any other poisonous snake. I've therefore never witnessed the tissue damage that can result from a bite. Those photos are scary stuff. Have you got any idea how much time passed between the bite and receiving medical attention? Quote
Jake. Posted November 20, 2007 Posted November 20, 2007 Wow, It looks like a shell is growing around the tip of his finger then it falls off. Quote
slomoe Posted November 20, 2007 Posted November 20, 2007 Have you got any idea how much time passed between the bite and receiving medical attention? I was wondering the same. Quote
frogtog Posted November 20, 2007 Posted November 20, 2007 Great pics, we have plenty of them CM's around eastern NC. Always have to stay on the lookout for em. Quote
Super User Dan: Posted November 20, 2007 Super User Posted November 20, 2007 I can't believe it would take so long to heal. Quote
skillet Posted November 20, 2007 Posted November 20, 2007 When I was a whole lot younger and thought I was immortal or at least going to live forever ;D, pulled quite a few dumb stunts. One (did this way more than once) of the dumbest was going wadeing while Bream fishing with old pair of tennis shoes, cut off jeans and T-shirt. To make matters way worse when I would catch fish I'd put them on a stringer tied to one of my belt loopes and keep fishing. That was just asking for Mr. No-Shoulders to come bite me. Adding insult to injury, was usually way out in someone's North Forty where I'd have to walk a long ways back to my truck and then drive somewhere to get some help. This lasted until just after I was married and "She Who Must Be Obeyed" showed me an article on snake bites that had pics. like these. Kind of took all the fun out of wadeing for some reason . BE CAREFUL!!! As Ever, skillet Quote
Jake P Posted November 20, 2007 Posted November 20, 2007 Thats a huge eye opener. When i dont have a boat and i go to the lake i hike about a mile to get to the spot my buddy and I found and i never once thought of snakes or anything. I mean there is some FREAKY lookin spiders along the way that you have to watch out for but snakes never crossed my mind. I will be ALOT more carefull next time i go on that hike. Thanks for the heads up Quote
Super User grimlin Posted November 20, 2007 Super User Posted November 20, 2007 Thats a huge eye opener. When i dont have a boat and i go to the lake i hike about a mile to get to the spot my buddy and I found and i never once thought of snakes or anything. I mean there is some FREAKY lookin spiders along the way that you have to watch out for but snakes never crossed my mind. I will be ALOT more carefull next time i go on that hike. Thanks for the heads up That's scary considering Texas has quite a few cottonmouths in the water.I've seen them firsthand myself.They are very aggressive as well...I won't wade the waters in Texas.Call me chicken,i know they are in those waters. What's even more scary is the most dangerous spider is the one you'll never see...the brown recluse.I know a few people who's been bitten by them. Quote
rfrazier Posted November 20, 2007 Posted November 20, 2007 Thats a huge eye opener. When i dont have a boat and i go to the lake i hike about a mile to get to the spot my buddy and I found and i never once thought of snakes or anything. I mean there is some FREAKY lookin spiders along the way that you have to watch out for but snakes never crossed my mind. I will be ALOT more carefull next time i go on that hike. Thanks for the heads up Your lucky, Im constantly paranoid when I'm hiking into the lake I fish/while im fishing. Mountain lions or rattlesnakes! :-/ That 8-10 weeks after pic is crazy, lucky he got bit on the finger (I think?) Quote
CGH Posted November 20, 2007 Posted November 20, 2007 Not only do you have to watch where you step, You also have to watch where you move the boat too. I've had quiet a few Snakes fall/jump from the tress and join me in the boat as I flipping amongst the trees. I hate snakes > Quote
Super User Micro Posted November 20, 2007 Author Super User Posted November 20, 2007 2 years ago I had a large watersnake crawl up my outboard and try to get into my boat. We had seen the snake swimming moments before. When I decided to move on my son asked where the snake was. I checked the motor and sure enough he was on his way up. Quote
Super User Micro Posted November 20, 2007 Author Super User Posted November 20, 2007 Have you got any idea how much time passed between the bite and receiving medical attention? Considering the marks on the arm to show the progreession of swelling, probably under 3 hours. Quote
Super User cart7t Posted November 20, 2007 Super User Posted November 20, 2007 ... What's even more scary is the most dangerous spider is the one you'll never see...the brown recluse.I know a few people who's been bitten by them. I've been bitten. It was nasty and I was lucky, I received a small dose of venom. I've seen some pretty gnarley photos showing massive flesh destruction. I had a hole in my leg eaten up around the size of a half dollar. 5 years later and the effects are still quite visible. Quote
Davis Posted November 20, 2007 Posted November 20, 2007 That is why I love NY state. We may get snow and ice up here.......but the wildlife is usually all pretty friendly. ;D Quote
Guest muddy Posted November 20, 2007 Posted November 20, 2007 That is why I love NY state. We may get snow and ice up here.......but the wildlife is usually all pretty friendly. ;D Rattle Snakes and Copper Heads are not friendly and plentiful throughout Rural NY Quote
Super User Tin Posted November 20, 2007 Super User Posted November 20, 2007 Ouch, for once I'm happy I live up north. Have a few Timber Rattlers and nasty water snakes but thats about it. Hate those things. Quote
Davis Posted November 20, 2007 Posted November 20, 2007 That is why I love NY state. We may get snow and ice up here.......but the wildlife is usually all pretty friendly. ;D Rattle Snakes and Copper Heads are not friendly and plentiful throughout Rural NY We don't have copper heads in Western NY. There may be a stray rattle snake around but mainly in the eastern parts of NY state. Pretty much nothing to fear up here in Western NY except snow lol. Quote
Super User Raul Posted November 20, 2007 Super User Posted November 20, 2007 That is why I love NY state. We may get snow and ice up here.......but the wildlife is usually all pretty friendly. ;D What you ain 't got is scorpions and fire ants; we down here in the deep south got those plus rattle snakes, black widow spiders, bumble bees and them 1 1/2 inch red wasps that have more firepower than an Apache helicopter with attitude. Quote
Davis Posted November 20, 2007 Posted November 20, 2007 That is why I love NY state. We may get snow and ice up here.......but the wildlife is usually all pretty friendly. ;D What you ain 't got is scorpions and fire ants; we down here in the deep south got those plus rattle snakes, black widow spiders, bumble bees and them 1 1/2 inch red wasps that have more firepower than an Apache helicopter with attitude. Man I know lol. I went down to Louisiana for a church trip to help with some clean up and distributing food. Stepped on a fire ant hill and luckily jumped off right away. They were everywhere! Definately weird being from the North. Keeping my eyes on the ground the whole time lol. Didn't see any black widows but we did some some Recluse (spelling?). Didn't see scorpions thank goodness. Quote
Guest avid Posted November 20, 2007 Posted November 20, 2007 Interesting post. Too bad we don't know for sure exactly what medical treatment he got and how long before he got it. I like to think that modern medicine would be able to cure something like a snake bite without such permanant damage. maybe i'll try to not to test that theory. Quote
George Welcome Posted November 20, 2007 Posted November 20, 2007 Interesting post. Too bad we don't know for sure exactly what medical treatment he got and how long before he got it. I like to think that modern medicine would be able to cure something like a snake bite without such permanant damage. maybe i'll try to not to test that theory. Exactly. Quote
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