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Desert Snake

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Basic Information on the Desert Snake

Information on the desert snake is very broad.  This is because there is more than one type of snake that can be found in the desert.  You are going to discover that you may have heard of some of these snakes in the past.  You may not have even realized that they live in the desert.  This article will explore some of the different types of desert snakes that actually exist.

The most recognized desert snake is the rattlesnake.  These snakes are very poisonous so you need to stay away from them if you see one.  There are several different types of rattlesnakes as well.  Therefore, you need to be able to identify each type if you are going to be in an area where they can be found.  Many of us may know what a rattlesnake looks like but we may not know what each rattlesnake species looks like.  Therefore, if you are going to be in the desert, or camping in the wilderness, you may want to find some information on these snakes, as well as pictures, so that you can be prepared.

Another desert snake that is very poisonous is the coral snake.  This snake is often found in Arizona and New Mexico.  The average length of this type of snake is 14 inches long.  Because they are so small, you would need to be bitten for a very long time in order to suffer any serious effects from the snakes bite.  However, if you have a child that is bitten by one of these snakes you will want to take them to the hospital as soon as possible.  Be sure to have an idea of what type of snake bit your child, such as size and color, so that you can inform the doctor.  This is going to help him or her identify what type of snake bite they are dealing with.  The coral snake is going to have red marks that touch yellow marks.  It is also going to have black on it.  You are going to know if it is poisonous if the red is touching the yellow. This will help you identify a poisonous snake.  This is important because the Arizona Mountain Kingsnake looks a lot like the coral snake but the yellow and red do not touch.  This snake is not poisonous.

A regular kingsnake is black and white.  It does not have any yellow or red on it.  This snake is also found in the desert but it is not venomous either.  It will often kill its food by constricting around the prey.  They do this rather than biting and killing with poison.  They frequently make their meals out of lizards and other snakes.  They may also feast on mice and birds.

If you live in a desert area there are a few things that you can do to help keep snakes out of you area.  You need to keep tools and toys cleaned up so that the snake can not find a place to hide.  You should also keep food and bird seed cleaned up so that the desert snake is not attracted to your area looking for a meal.  However, if you do find a snake on your property, you will need to know that they can strike at a distance that is at least one half the length of themselves.  Therefore, you should back away from the snake in order to remain safe.  This is especially true if you do not know if the snake is poisonous or not.  It is always better to remain safe.  Contact a doctor as soon as possible if you are bitten.

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