Last Updated: 08-12-2025      

Snake Bites

What is a snake bite?

A snake bite is a wound caused by a snakes fangs piercing your skin. A snake is a slithering reptile that's long and doesn't have limbs. A snake may bite to capture prey or to defend itself. A snake bite can cause an injury and, in some cases, it can be life-threatening. If you're not expecting to see a snake in the wild, it can scare you when it reveals itself. You might feel your heart rate increase as you jump or shriek in response to seeing something move quickly past your feet on a walking trail or slithering up a tree beside you. The potential dangers of getting a snake bite can make your fear more intense. For this reason, a snake bite can cause emotional trauma in addition to a physical wound.

Are snakes venomous?

Snakes are both venomous and nonvenomous. Venom is a poisonous substance that a snake makes to help it capture prey, protect itself and digest food. If a snake is venomous, it injects venom through its teeth (fangs) into whatever it bites.
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Many species of snakes carry certain types of venom that affect your body in different ways, including: Cytotoxins: Cause swelling and tissue damage wherever youve been bitten. Haemorrhagins: Disrupt your blood vessels. Anti-clotting agents: Prevent your blood from clotting. Neurotoxins: Cause paralysis or other damage to your nervous system. Myotoxins: Break down your muscles. What is the difference between poison and venom? Poison is a toxic substance that enters your body through inhalation, absorption or swallowing. Venom is a poisonous toxin that enters your body through injection. A common way to understand the difference between poison and venom is: If you bite it and experience symptoms, its poisonous. If something bites you and you experience symptoms, its venomous. For example, a bite from a copperhead snake is venomous. A dart frog is poisonous if you eat it, put it in your mouth or some of the poison that the frog makes on its skin enters your body.