snakes of tennessee tennessee agricultural education curriculum chuck flowers liberty ffa 2011

Snakes of TennesseeSnakes of Tennessee

Tennessee Agricultural Tennessee Agricultural Education Curriculum Education Curriculum

Chuck FlowersChuck FlowersLiberty FFA Liberty FFA

20112011

IntroductionIntroduction

Reptiles are Reptiles are misunderstood because misunderstood because of misinformation, of misinformation, legends, myths and their legends, myths and their naturenature

Most of these Most of these misunderstandings misunderstandings come from exaggeration come from exaggeration or hallucinationsor hallucinations

Eastern Hognose Snake

Snakes are beneficial in many ways

You should be able to distinguish between venomous (poisonous) and non-venomous snakes

There are about 44 snake species in Tennessee There are about 44 snake species in Tennessee 3000 World wide3000 World wide Five of these are venomous( pit vipers)Five of these are venomous( pit vipers) The venomous snakes consist of the following:The venomous snakes consist of the following:

2 rattlesnake species timber, pygmy2 rattlesnake species timber, pygmy

1 cottonmouth species1 cottonmouth species

2 copperhead species –northern, southern2 copperhead species –northern, southern

Viviparity-egg develops in the bodyViviparity-egg develops in the body

Poikilothermic-body temperature variesPoikilothermic-body temperature varies

Herpetologist-person that studies reptilesHerpetologist-person that studies reptiles

Amniotic Egg-snake lays an egg- egg membrane Amniotic Egg-snake lays an egg- egg membrane

around the fetusaround the fetus

According to the website eMedicine, there are only 5-According to the website eMedicine, there are only 5-10 deaths caused by snakebite in the United States 10 deaths caused by snakebite in the United States per year.per year.

Snakebite numbers total about 45,000 yearly, but Snakebite numbers total about 45,000 yearly, but only 8,000 (about 18%) of these are by venomous only 8,000 (about 18%) of these are by venomous snakes.snakes.

eMedicine also reports that many of the snakebites in eMedicine also reports that many of the snakebites in the United States are provoked by the victims.the United States are provoked by the victims.

http://www.emedicine.com/aaem/topic417.htm

SnakeSnake CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Cold-BloodedCold-Blooded Lack external earsLack external ears No eyelidsNo eyelids Body temp-68-95 deg.Body temp-68-95 deg. CarnivoresCarnivores Speed-1 mile/hr. Black Speed-1 mile/hr. Black

mamba-14m/nr.mamba-14m/nr. Range-3/4 mile-males Range-3/4 mile-males Females-1/6 mile sg. Females-1/6 mile sg.

Snake CharacteristicsSnake Characteristics

Lifespan-15 years zoo-Lifespan-15 years zoo-20 years(30) possible20 years(30) possible

See movement can not See movement can not focus wellfocus well

Tongue-sense budsTongue-sense buds Jacobson’s organJacobson’s organ Hollow sac-nerve Hollow sac-nerve

endingsendings All reproduce sexuallyAll reproduce sexually

Snake CharacteristicsSnake Characteristics

Mate -spring or fallMate -spring or fall Male and female do Male and female do

not stay together not stay together Avg-6-30 eggs females Avg-6-30 eggs females

but python 50-100 eggsbut python 50-100 eggs Hatching-8-10 weeks Hatching-8-10 weeks

live birth 2-3 mo.live birth 2-3 mo. Female carry eggs 6-8 Female carry eggs 6-8

weeksweeks

Pit VipersPit Viperspoisonouspoisonous

Have venom 2-reasonsHave venom 2-reasons Kill, protectionKill, protection Have a pit between eye Have a pit between eye

and noseand nose Fangs-hypodermic Fangs-hypodermic

needles, can shed, needles, can shed, grow back grow back

Poisonous Snakes-contPoisonous Snakes-cont

2 types poisonous- neurotoxins, hemotoxins2 types poisonous- neurotoxins, hemotoxins Neurotoxins-affect nervous systemNeurotoxins-affect nervous system Hemotoxins –damage blood vessels Hemotoxins –damage blood vessels Snake bite reactions if poisonous-swelling of tissue Snake bite reactions if poisonous-swelling of tissue

tissue turns black/dark blue.tissue turns black/dark blue. Tingling sensation, nauseaTingling sensation, nausea Pit vipers-2 fang marks in addition to 2 row of teeth Pit vipers-2 fang marks in addition to 2 row of teeth

marksmarks 70 % of deaths- 6-48 hours after the bite occurs 70 % of deaths- 6-48 hours after the bite occurs

Snake CharacteristicsSnake Characteristicscont.cont.

Pit Vipers- venom will vary on Potency:

1. Depends on species

2. Size

3. Condition of the snake (ate a meal, old )

4. Size and sensitivity of the victim will also be a condition .

5. Combination of all the above

Top Ten Places to Find a SnakeTop Ten Places to Find a Snake

10. Stream bank , pond10. Stream bank , pond 9. Attic9. Attic 8. Barn Loft8. Barn Loft 7. Shrubs7. Shrubs 6. Basement6. Basement 5.Garden 5.Garden 4. Flower beds4. Flower beds 3. Junk piles3. Junk piles 2. Lumber Piles2. Lumber Piles 1.Firewood Ground1.Firewood Ground

Gray Rat SnakeGray Rat SnakeElaphe obsoleta spiloidesElaphe obsoleta spiloides

Size: 42-72 inchesSize: 42-72 inches Maximum: 84 inchesMaximum: 84 inches

Young: HatchedYoung: Hatched Other common names: Other common names:

Gray Chicken SnakeGray Chicken Snake

Black Rat SnakeBlack Rat SnakeElaphe obsoletaElaphe obsoleta

Size: 42-72 inchesSize: 42-72 inches Maximum: 101 inchesMaximum: 101 inches Young: HatchedYoung: Hatched

Other common names: Other common names: Black Chicken Snake, Black Chicken Snake, Mountain Black SnakeMountain Black Snake

Pine SnakePine SnakePituophis melanoleucusPituophis melanoleucus

Size: 48-66 inchesSize: 48-66 inches Maximum: 83 inchesMaximum: 83 inches

Young: HatchedYoung: Hatched

Eastern Indigo SnakeEastern Indigo SnakeDrymarchon corais couperiDrymarchon corais couperi

Size: 60-84 inchesSize: 60-84 inches Maximum: 103 ½Maximum: 103 ½ Young: HatchedYoung: Hatched

Southeastern Crowned SnakeSoutheastern Crowned SnakeTantilla coronataTantilla coronata

Size: 8-10 inchesSize: 8-10 inches Maximum: 13 inchesMaximum: 13 inches

Young: HatchedYoung: Hatched

Eastern Worm SnakeEastern Worm SnakeCarphophis amoenusCarphophis amoenus

Size: 7 ½ -11 inchesSize: 7 ½ -11 inches Maximum: 13 inchesMaximum: 13 inches

Young: HatchedYoung: Hatched

Northern Black RacerNorthern Black RacerColuber constrictorColuber constrictor

Size: 36-60 inchesSize: 36-60 inches Maximum: 73 inchesMaximum: 73 inches

Young: HatchedYoung: Hatched

Eastern CoachwhipEastern CoachwhipMasticophis flagellumMasticophis flagellum

Size: 42-60 inchesSize: 42-60 inches Maximum: 102 inchesMaximum: 102 inches Young: HatchedYoung: Hatched

Banded Water SnakeBanded Water SnakeNerodia fasciataNerodia fasciata

Size: 24-42 inchesSize: 24-42 inches Maximum: 60 inchesMaximum: 60 inches

Young: Born aliveYoung: Born alive Other common names: Other common names:

“Moccasin”“Moccasin”

Brown Water SnakeBrown Water SnakeNerodia taxispilotaNerodia taxispilota

Size: 30-60 inchesSize: 30-60 inches Maximum: 69 inchesMaximum: 69 inches Young: Born AliveYoung: Born Alive

Eastern Garter SnakeEastern Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis Thamnophis sirtalis

Size: 18-26 inchesSize: 18-26 inches Maximum: 48 inchesMaximum: 48 inches Young: Born AliveYoung: Born Alive

Pigmy RattlesnakePigmy RattlesnakeSistrurus miliariusSistrurus miliarius

Size: 15-22 inchesSize: 15-22 inches Maximum: 31 inchesMaximum: 31 inches

Young: Born AliveYoung: Born Alive

Other common names: Other common names: Barbour’s Pigmy RattlerBarbour’s Pigmy Rattler

Timber/Canebrake RattlesnakeTimber/Canebrake RattlesnakeCrotalus horridusCrotalus horridus

Size: 42-60 inchesSize: 42-60 inches Maximum: 74 inchesMaximum: 74 inches

Young: Born AliveYoung: Born Alive

CopperheadCopperheadAgkistrodon contortrixAgkistrodon contortrix

Size: 24-36 inchesSize: 24-36 inches Maximum: 52 inchesMaximum: 52 inches

Young: Born AliveYoung: Born Alive

CottonmouthCottonmouthAgkistrodon piscivorousAgkistrodon piscivorous

Size: 30-48 inchesSize: 30-48 inches Maximum: 74 inchesMaximum: 74 inches

Young: Born AliveYoung: Born Alive

Eastern Coral SnakeEastern Coral SnakeMicrurus fulviusMicrurus fulvius

Size: 20-30 inchesSize: 20-30 inches Maximum: 47 ½ Maximum: 47 ½

inchesinches Young: HatchedYoung: Hatched

Eastern KingsnakeEastern KingsnakeLampropeltis getulaLampropeltis getula

Size: 36-48 inchesSize: 36-48 inches Maximum: 82 inchesMaximum: 82 inches

Young: HatchedYoung: Hatched Other common names: Other common names:

Chain Snake, Thunder Chain Snake, Thunder SnakeSnake

Mole SnakeMole SnakeLampropeltis calligaster rhombomaculataLampropeltis calligaster rhombomaculata

Size: 30-40 inchesSize: 30-40 inches Maximum: 45 inchesMaximum: 45 inches Young: HatchedYoung: Hatched

ConclusionsConclusions

Many snakes are beneficialMany snakes are beneficial Some snakes make interesting petsSome snakes make interesting pets Snakes can eat more rats than a house catSnakes can eat more rats than a house cat It is important to know the difference It is important to know the difference

between venomous and non-venomous between venomous and non-venomous snake speciessnake species

We need to protect our beneficial snakesWe need to protect our beneficial snakes