by SEAN KIMMONS
A paralyzing fear of snakes may stop Indiana Jones in his tracks from trapping wild snakes, but not this local man.
Springtime has presented an influx of venomous snakes, particularly coral snakes in Mountain City, and likely other nearby areas. If one slithers onto your property, snake enthusiast Rick Thomas, of Mountain City, may be able to relocate it for free.
“If I can get there fast enough I’d be happy to catch it,” said Thomas, who suggests placing a bucket on top of the snake. He can also set up traps.
Once caught, the snakes are then released into big, open fields away from human interaction, Thomas says.
“I’m thinking more about the snakes’ safety,” he said.
One of the recent snake reports included a 20” long coral snake in the backyard of Jeff Kauffmann’s home on Pin Oak Drive in Mountain City. The snake apparently died after being run over by a lawnmower.
“We’ve seen a couple of small garden snakes but that’s the first time we’ve seen a coral snake,” Kauffmann said. “It was right there in my backyard, which was kind of surprising.”
“We’re glad my dogs didn’t find it before we did,” he added.
Coral snakes have a distinctive striping pattern from similar non-venomous snakes. There’s an old saying that goes, “red on yellow, kill a fellow; red on black, venom lack.”
In Central Texas, there are four types of venomous snakes, including coral snakes, Western Diamondback rattlesnakes, copperheads and cottonmouths or water moccasins.
Though they can be deadly, snake bites rarely kill people. In actuality, a person has a better chance to being killed by lightning or by a venomous arthropod, such as a spider or scorpion, according to the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife.
The South Texas Poison Center reports that while about 8,000 people a year receive venomous snakebites in the U.S., only five to six victims die.
On average, one to two people in Texas die each year from venomous snakebites. In 2005, former Hays CISD schoolteacher Margaret White was found dead on a Wimberley-area ranch, presumably killed by a venomous snake.
Roughly half of all venomous snakebites are “dry.” That is, the snake does not inject venom into the victim, the Texas Department of State Health Services says.
Snakebite symptoms include and are not limited to blurred vision, convulsions, fever, vomiting, swelling in the bite area, tissue death and weakness, the Parks and Wildlife Department says.
If bitten, the South Texas Poison Center advises the victim to seek medical help and to stay calm, since venom passes through the bloodstream. The bite area should also be cleaned with disinfectant soap. Attempting to suck out the poison is ineffective and a tourniquet on the wound cuts off the blood flow and could lead to amputation.
Prevention is key. The Parks and Wildlife Department suggests being cautious when walking through high grass and wooded areas. Protective clothing, such as boots and snake-proof trousers and/or leggings, should be worn in areas where snakes are suspected.
When a snake crosses your path, stay still and allow the snake to retreat. If you must move, back slowly and carefully away from the snake, the Parks and Wildlife Department says.
Find a snake, call to relocate
If a snake slithers onto your property, give Rick Thomas (393-1986) a shout and perhaps he’ll be able to relocate it free of charge.
