Snake Bite

William Wise Photo Nature Notes is a wildlife, birding and nature photography blog documenting the wonders of God’s creation. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message

Close up of a snake bite from Lampropeltis getula, also known as the Eastern kingsnake. Found in a house on an animal control call in Loganville, Georgia.

​In a lightning fast moment, as fast as the serpent’s strike, my entire life flashed before my eyes along with the fear that my life might soon be ending. The impact of the snake against my skin, and the sharp needle-like jabs told me 100% that I had been bit. As I was about to drop my camera and call for the hospital’s helicopter to air lift me out, I remembered… Oh yeah, it’s just a harmless Eastern Kingsnake!  
 
Snakes always make sensational subjects! From that very first encounter in Eden, snake stories are always dramatic. Some people only need hear the word “snake” to be sent off in a sprint of hysteria. But the truth is, the majority are totally harmless (depending upon where you live, perhaps).

Eastern Kingsnake coiled in the pine needles ready to strike. Lampropeltis getula, also known as the chain kingsnake, is a harmless colubrid snake native to the United States and Mexico. Found in a house on an animal control call in Loganville, Georgia.

This beautiful Eastern Kingsnake was the subject of one of those frantic calls to animal control.  “Hello? 911? Yes, there’s a huge snake in my living room.” The homeowner marveled at the audacity we had to just walk right in and pick it up barehanded. But when you know your snakes, you know when there is danger, or when it is safe to handle. Here in Georgia, it is simple. Just learn how to identify a Coral Snake, a rattlesnake, a copperhead and a cottonmouth. After that, you'll know the rest are harmless. 
 
I took this guy to a couple of school classrooms for talks before photographing him and releasing him back to the wild. Even though he’d been captive and handled for a few weeks, he was still quite feisty. When he decided our photo session was over, he let me know by chomping down on my arm. So what did I do? Photograph it, of course! 

Eastern Kingsnake close up of face and scales. Lampropeltis getula, also known as the chain kingsnake, is a harmless colubrid snake native to the United States and Mexico. Found in a house on an animal control call in Loganville, Georgia.

Eastern Kingsnake coiled in the pine needles ready to strike. Lampropeltis getula, also known as the chain kingsnake, is a harmless colubrid snake native to the United States and Mexico. Found in a house on an animal control call in Loganville, Georgia.

Eastern Kingsnake close up of face and scales. Lampropeltis getula, also known as the chain kingsnake, is a harmless colubrid snake native to the United States and Mexico. Found in a house on an animal control call in Loganville, Georgia.

Close up of a snake bite from Lampropeltis getula, also known as the Eastern kingsnake. Found in a house on an animal control call in Loganville, Georgia.

Eastern Kingsnake close up of biting. Lampropeltis getula, also known as the chain kingsnake, is a harmless colubrid snake native to the United States and Mexico. Found in a house on an animal control call in Loganville, Georgia.

Eastern Kingsnake close up of face and scales. Lampropeltis getula, also known as the chain kingsnake, is a harmless colubrid snake native to the United States and Mexico. Found in a house on an animal control call in Loganville, Georgia.

No swelling; no instant death. No worse than a paper cut, the bite of an Eastern Kingsnake is really no big deal.