North Carolina has highest venomous snakebite rate in US, new report shows

ASHEVILLE, N.C. --  North Carolina has the highest estimated rate of venomous snakebites per capita in the United States, according to a 2026 national analysis.

A new report says the Tar Heel State ranks above every other state, with an estimated 856 venomous snakebites per year and a rate of 18.79 incidents per 100,000 people.

Overall, Texas has the highest count of estimated venomous snakebites, topping 1,400 per year, but North Carolina ranks higher when population adjustments are made.

The top ten states with the highest estimated rate of venomous snakebites are as follows:

1. North Carolina: 18.79 incidents per 100,000 people
2. Arkansas: 17.19 incidents per 100,000 people
3. Texas: 14.70 incidents per 100,000 people
4. Georgia: 13.44 incidents per 100,000 people
5. West Virginia: 11.29 incidents per 100,000 people
6. Mississippi: 10.83 incidents per 100,000 people
7. Louisiana: 10.25 incidents per 100,000 people
8. Oklahoma: 8.85 incidents per 100,000 people
9. Arizona: 7.83 incidents per 100,000 people
10. South Carolina: 7.72 incidents per 100,000 people

In North Carolina, the risk of snake bites can appear in a range of places during warm months, when people may come into closer contact with snakes in Piedmont yards, Blue Ridge trails, coastal plain wetlands, campsites and more.

The state is home to a variety of venomous species, including copperheads, cottonmouths, rattlesnakes and the rare eastern coral snake.

SEE ALSO: Teen bitten by venomous snake while fly fishing on end of year camping trip in WNC: 'I was scared'

Copperheads are the most common venomous snake in North Carolina and can be found in wooded areas and suburban neighborhoods all across the state. Copperhead bites are rarely fatal and typically only occur when these snakes are stepped on or stressed.

Timber rattlesnakes are more common in forested and mountainous areas, such as in western North Carolina. Cottonmouths, eastern diamondback rattlesnakes and pigmy rattlesnakes are more often found on the coast and in the Eastern part of the state.

What should I do if I am bitten by a snake?

Signs and symptoms of a snake bite vary, but can typically include puncture marks, bleeding, redness, swelling or bruising, and pain or tenderness around the wound, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). After a snake bite, a person may experience nausea and vomiting, a rapid heart rate, a weak pulse, trouble breathing or seeing, and muscle twitching.

If a snake bites you, stay calm and get to a safe distance away so you are not at risk of being bitten again. If you can, take a picture of the snake from a safe distance to help medical professionals determine the species.

Call 911 or seek emergency medical care immediately. You can also call North Carolina Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for first-aid guidance.

Safely remove any tight clothing, rings or watches to avoid swelling. Gently wash the bite with soap and water, and cover the bite with a clean dressing if you are able.

What not to do if a snake bites you:

• Do not pick up or handle the snake, or try to trap it
• Do not wait to receive medical attention
• Do not apply a tourniquet or tight bandage
• Do not attempt to suck the venom out of the wound
• Do not apply ice to the wound
• Do not take pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen, as they can thin the blood

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