st. Cloud, Fla. (WFLA) – When it comes to the creepy crawly creatures of Florida, experts want residents to believe in the power of fact against fear.
“The more you are educated, the less fear you are,” Jason Compton, founder of Snake Identification App SnakesNap, told NBC affiliate Wesh.
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There are four venomous snakes in the sun. Wesh spoke to researchers (one of three in the state) who were approved to extract the poison.
Jack Facente, a lab called agritoxin on St. Cloud, said it could be used to study venom and create medicines to combat conditions such as cancer and dementia.
“Toxins are considered to be really bad, but they’re packed with toxins and proteins and a whole lot of chemically experimenting with them,” Facente said.
Its venom can be used for good, but Floridians can meet more closely with snakes as their habitat decreases.
“There are subdivisions everywhere. They bulldos and they remove all their habitat,” Feiste told Wesi. “This is a problem with Central Florida. As this development continues to work, I think there will be more snake bites in the next year or two.”
Nevertheless, Faceente said snake bites are rare and can be avoided.
“Snakes aren’t going to chase you. Snakes don’t want to bite you. Poison is a digestive process. Snakes don’t bite, they swallow the entire prey,” Feiste said. “If you don’t pick them up or you don’t try to kill them, your chances of being a little of you go very little.”
Residents can stop snakes by freeing their garden from debris and hiding places like mountains of trees and leaves. You should also wear gloves when gardening or working outside. Anyone who encounters a venomous snake can call a trapper to remove it.
Florida has four main venomous snakes.
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake – the snake that most people think of, the pygmy rattlesnake with a loud rattle sound – a small version of the Eastern Diamondback cotton mouse – also known as the water moccasin coral snake – you may have heard the rhymes.
A bite from any of the first three can cause symptoms quickly, such as burning or swelling. Coral snake bites can take longer to show symptoms, Facente said.
Anyone who is bitten by a venomous snake should immediately go to the hospital and ensure that hospital staff contact the Florida Poison Control Center.
