Venomous Snakes and Spiders and Fire Ants along the AT

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For some reason pictures could not be injected into text, so please see attached thumbnail pictures.

I decided to put together this thread just to inform, and not to scare, anyone who wants to be able to identify venomous snakes and spiders that can be found on or along the AT. I know many people may find snakes and spiders icky or scarey, but hikers, escpecially, should welcome and appreciate them along the trail as they are a top predator for the peskier pests...mice, rats, mosquitoes, flies, etc.


Snakes will not seek out human contact and only become aggressive if they feel trapped or cornered, messed with or accidently stepped on. If you see a snake, venomous or not, just give them a wide berth and they will either stay put or slither away from you.

If you cannot identify it, best practice is to leave it alone and avoid it. Better safe than sorry.

There are 3 Venomous Snakes and 2 Venomous Spiders that can be found on or along the trail. They are the Timber Rattlesnake, Copperhead and Cottonmouth snakes and the Black Widow and Brown Recluse spiders. I am also including the Fire Ant. Though they are not nearly as venomous as the above snakes and spiders, due to the potential to being bit numerous times by hundreds of fire ants, the subsequent illness can be serious. If bitten by any of these or any animal(excluding mosquitoes and black flies, of course), I personally would recommend seeking medical treatment. An infection from any open wound could sideline (or worse) you for some time.

The chances of actually seeing pr encountering any of these are small, as many people that live around them rarely, if ever, see them. If you spot one consider yourself lucky. Respect them and leave them alone and they will do the same for us.

Again, this is just for informational/educational purposes and not to scare anyone or instill fear of all things creepy crawly. Enjoy the outdoors!

Much of the following information has been copied and pasted from numerous reliable federal, state and local government and educational sources on the internet. This is not intended to be all of the information available about each critter, but rather just a brief overview. By reading the following information you release me from any legal responsibility. In other words, don’t sue me for any information, given or omitted. Feel free to add additional info and/or opinions.

Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)

Identification
36” - 74”. The timber rattlesnake head is noticeably wider than the body portion directly behind the head. Other distinguishing characteristics include a single row of scales on the ventral, or underneath, side of the snake from the vent to the end of the tail, and vertical, elliptical shaped pupils. Timber rattlesnakes have dark brown to black blotches on the body section just behind the head. Moving backwards from the head and neck, the blotches generally become connected and form primarily unbroken lateral crossbands, or chevrons by the mid-section of the body. The dark bands are typically outlined with a lighter color. There are actually three different color phases. On light-phased snakes, the background colors vary from brilliant to pale to brownish yellow. Intermediate phase snakes have shades of grays, blacks, and white. Dark phase timber rattlesnakes are almost completely black, revealing their skin patterns only from a close distance. Although difficult to see on most of specimens in the Northeast, light phase rattlesnakes have a reddish-brown to olivegreen colored stripe running down the center of the dorsal (or upper) side; the intermediate phase rattlers have an olive-green stripe, while the dark phase's darkened stripe is less discernible. In addition to the shovel-shaped head and rattle, a dark-phased rattlesnake can be differentiated from a black rat snake or black racer by its keeled scales. Black rat snakes and black racers have smooth scales. A black racer also has a small patch of white on its chin, while the black rat has traces of white showing throughout its body.
Habitat
Timber rattlesnakes are primarily associated with deciduous upland forest habitats. Here rattlesnakes use hardwood and hemlock forests, seeps, open fields, floodplains, talus slopes and rock outcrops to varying degrees based on the season and their physiological state (e.g. ecdysis (shedding their skins), their current reproductive state, etc.) The typical timber rattlesnake den is located on a rocky, sparsely to moderately wooded steep slope that faces southeast to southwest. Extensive survey work by Martin (1992) described dens in the mountainous habitat of the northeastern U.S. as being either a fissure in a ledge or crevice between the ground and a rock outcrop, talus slopes, or fallen rock partially covered by soil. Here snakes are able to gain access to underground cavities and voids below the frost line.
The summer ranges of male and non-gravid female timber rattlesnakes typically include forested habitats with greater than 50% canopy cover and approximately 75% vegetative ground cover. Gravid (pregnant) females prefer areas with approximately 25% canopy cover, nearly equal amounts of vegetation and leaf litter covering the ground and numerous fallen logs. Both populations hibernate in communal dens sharing the hibernacula with other rattlesnakes as well as northern copperheads (northern population only), black rat snakes, and others.

Northern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortix mokasen)

Identification
22" - 53". The northern copperhead is normally a rather short and heavy-bodied snake, averaging around two to two and one half feet in length, sometimes as much as three feet or longer in large specimens. Specimens larger than this are rare but do occasionally occur. The coloration of the copperhead can be quite variable from light to dark but specimens from the mountains of western North Carolina tend to be much darker than those found in lowland areas. The background color is generally a brownish gray to reddish-tan with a series of distinct darker hourglass or saddlebag-shaped markings over the back. The head is often copper-colored hence their common name but may also be lighter or much darker. Like other members of the pit viper family, the head of the copperhead is usually quite wide in relation to the neck and heat sensitive pits or openings are found between the nostril and the eye on each side of the face. The pupils are elliptical, an adaptation for nocturnal vision but open up to become almost round in dim light. Baby copperheads up to a year or so in age may be easily identified by the presence of a bright yellowish-green tail tip, an adaptation which is used by the young snakes to procure their food.
Habitat
The coloration of the copperhead resembles the fallen leaves, sticks, and other debris on the forest floor. It provides excellent camouflage to protect these snakes from their enemies and also to enable them to blend into their surroundings to ambush their prey. Young copperheads will use their brightly colored tail tips to lure in small animals such as lizards and frogs on which they feed. The tail is twitched and turned to resemble the movements of a grub or worm. Investigating animals see the movement as a possible meal but do not notice the well hidden snake attached to the tail. The yellow-green tail tip coloration disappears within a year or two as the snake begins to mature. As adults, copperheads will feed on a variety of prey animals including mice and other small rodents, frogs, other snakes, and even large insects such as cicadas. They hunt primarily at night, especially during the summer months, but may sometimes be encountered during the day. During daylight hours, copperheads rarely venture far from protective cover. They may be found in a variety of habitats including rocky, wooded hillsides, brushy forest edges, and in and around overgrown thickets, especially where there is plenty of ground cover in the form of rocks, fallen logs, and other debris.
Despite their reputation, copperheads are actually very shy and reclusive snakes. They avoid predators and other danger by remaining motionless, letting their protective camouflage hide them. If they are stepped upon or otherwise disturbed, they may attempt to strike and bite in self-defense but given the chance, will often quickly crawl away. Since they are very adaptable to many habitats, the copperhead is sometimes found living close to humans although most snakes encountered in daylight that resemble copperheads are harmless look-a-likes such as milk snakes, corn snakes, and water snakes. The bite of the copperhead is almost never fatal but can be quite painful. Bites are rare due to the secretive nature and nocturnal habits of these shy snakes. Because they feed on rodents, copperheads are considered beneficial animals and should not be killed when encountered. They are also eaten by various other animals. Their presence near human habitations can be discouraged by eliminating overgrown areas with abundant ground debris under which they may take refuge as well as by protecting non-venomous species which eat food that is then unavailable for copperheads.

Cottonmouth (aka: Water Moccasin) (Agksitrodon piscivorus)

Identification
30” – 75”. Agksitrodon piscivorus is a large, heavy-bodied snake. Unlike species of the nonvenomous genus Nerodia (watersnakes), Cottonmouths have a facial, heat-sensing pit between each nostril and eye, which is larger than the nostril. Additionally, the dorsal portion of their chunky heads are distinctly flattened and covered with a few large scales, and they possess a single anal scale; characteristics not found in Nerodia. The dorsum of A. piscivorus varies from olive to brown, or black, with broad crossbands that vary from distinct to obscure, or absent. Young Cottonmouths are strongly patterned and have a yellow tail. The Water Moccasin looks a lot like the Northern Water Snake and the Lake Erie Water Snake and it lives around water and wet places. The Water Moccasin is a larger snake, however. The adult is as much as 20 inches longer than the harmless Water Snakes, and its body is much heavier. Also, its broad-based head is much wider than its neck.
The eyes of the Water Moccasin have vertical pupils, while those of the common Water Snakes have round pupils. The inside of a Water Moccasin's mouth is snowy white, and an individual may repeatedly open and show its mouth when threatened, thus exposing the light, cotton-colored lining of its mouth.
Habitat
This is a semi-aquatic snake and usually will be found near water, but also up to a mile away from a water source. It is very aggressive and often will stand its ground when threatened. Or it may crawl slowly away from the threat. In contrast, non-venomous Water Snakes typically flee quickly, often dropping into the nearest water. Also, when aroused or excited, the Water Moccasin vibrates its tail rapidly. The common Water Snakes do not do this. Cottonmouths range throughout the Southeast, north to southeastern Virginia. Cottonmouths are generally restricted to the Coastal Plain but are found in a few Piedmont locations west of Atlanta, Georgia. They can be found in nearly all freshwater habitats but are most common in cypress swamps, river floodplains, and heavily-vegetated wetlands. Cottonmouths will venture overland and are sometimes found far from permanent water. Cottonmouths often congregate around drying pools in wetlands to feed on trapped fish and amphibians. Cottonmouths can be found during the day or night, but forage primarily after dark during the hotter parts of the season. Throughout much of their range, they can be found year-round, even in sunny days in the winter. Cottonmouths bask on logs, rocks, or branches at the water's edge but seldom climb high in trees (unlike many of the nonvenomous watersnakes which commonly bask on branches several feet above the water). They employ both ambush and active foraging strategies. Cottonmouths are opportunistic feeders and are known to consume a variety of aquatic and terrestrial prey, including amphibians, lizards, snakes (including smaller cottonmouths), small turtles, baby alligators, mammals, birds, and especially fish. Despite their aggressive reputation, research has indicated that cottonmouths will seldom bite unless stepped on or picked up. When not alarmed, cottonmouths can be readily recognized when swimming because most of their body is above the water's surface.

Black Widow (Latrodectus bishopi, Latrodectus hesperus, Latrodectus mactans, Latrodectus variolus)

Identification
The female black widow is normally shiny black, with a red hourglass marking (see photo) on the underside of the abdomen. The abdominal marking may range in color from yellowish orange to red and its shape may range from an hourglass to a dot. The body of an adult black widow female is about 1/2 inch long.
Habitat
The black widow is commonly found in the following places: woodpiles, rubble piles, under stones, in hollow stumps, and in rodent burrows, privies, sheds and garages.
Medical Information
The bite of the black widow may be painful or it may go unnoticed. The skin may display one or two bite marks with local swelling. Pain usually progresses from the bite site and eventually to the abdomen and back. Severe cramping or rigidity may occur in the abdominal muscles.Symptoms may include nausea, profuse perspiration, tremors, labored breathing, restlessness, increased blood pressure and fever. The pain from the bite will usually persist for the first 8-12 hours. Symptoms may continue for several days. Clean the bite area with soap and water. Apply ice to the bite area to slow absorption of the venom. Elevate and immobilize the extremity. Capture the spider, if at all possible, for identification purposes. Seek medical attention immediately. If you have a heart condition or other heart problem, you may need hospitalization.

Brown Recluse (Loxosceles Reclusa)

Identification
These spiders are chocolate brown in color, and their bodies are about 9 millimeters in length with long legs. They have three pairs of eyes, arranged in a triad, and have a violin-shaped marking on the cephalothorax. The body of the “violin” is near the eyes and the neck of the “violin” extends backward, ending before the abdomen. Males are similar to females in appearance.
Habitat
The brown recluse, L. reclusa , in its normal range, prefers to inhabit gaps under rocks, boards, and the bark of dead trees and logs. In structures, it will live inside cracks in walls and boards and behind and under any number of items in storage. The brown recluse prefers nesting sites that are warm and dry. Eleven species of Loxosceles are indigenous to the continental United States, four of which are known to be harmful to humans. Brown recluse spiders are established in 15 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. In addition, isolated occurrences have been reported in Arizona, California, the District of Columbia, Florida, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wyoming. Brown recluse spiders are rarely encountered in Pennsylvania, but they may be transported in boxes and similar items from a locale where the spiders normally occur.
Medical Information
The bite of the brown recluse spider is often not immediately painful, although a slight stinging sensation may be felt. This spider’s venom includes a neurotoxic component, but the principal concern is its necrotic or cytotoxic properties, which cause it to destroy the tissue where it is injected. About seven hours after a bite, a small blister-like sore appears that will grow in size. There may be a generalized or systemic body reaction in sensitive individuals. Symptoms include chills, fever, bloody urine, fatigue, jaundice, pain in the joints, nausea, rash, and in extremely rare cases, convulsions and death. The amount of damage depends on the amount of venom injected. The damaged area may be the size of a dime or as large as 20 centimeters in diameter. Affected tissue becomes gangrenous, turns black, and eventually sloughs off, leaving a depression in the skin. Healing is slow and scar tissue results from the wound. Healing may take six to eight weeks or require up to a year if the wound is large.

Fire Ant

Description
Red imported fire ants produce hills or mounds in open areas where the colonies reside, although colonies occasionally occur indoors and in structures such as utility housings and tree trunks. Disturbance of mounds results in a rapid defensive response by worker ants, which quickly run up vertical surfaces. Worker ants range from 1/16 to 3/16 inch (1.5 to 5 mm) in length and are dark brown. Queen ants are larger (3/8 inch) and have no wings after mating.
Habitat
Fire ants are omnivorous, but their primary diet consists of insects and other invertebrates. Predatory activities of fire ants suppress populations of ticks, chiggers, caterpillars and other insects. Predatory activity attributes to wildlife reductions in some areas. Imported fire ant workers aggressively defend their nests from invaders. When fire ant mounds are disturbed, worker ants quickly rush to the surface and climb up on any vertical objects such as grass blades, sticks or legs of people or animals that are standing on or near to the nest. Generally, these ants can begin to sting within 10 to 20 seconds after climbing upon victims. Do not disturb ant nests. Although large visible ant mounds are avoided by most people, smaller mounds or nests with little “worked” soil can be stepped on inadvertently. Colonies can also be formed under rocks, wood or other debris on the ground. Also, during flooding conditions, colonies are capable of floating in clusters or “rafts,” posing a threat to anything encountering them.
Medical Information
Because large numbers of worker ants often occur together, as in a nest, incidents usually involve multiple stings. When, for instance, a person steps into a mound, hundreds of ants can rapidly crawl (1.6 cm per second) up their leg. Within several seconds, they begin stinging almost simultaneously. High numbers of stings can lead to severe medical reactions even in people with normal immune systems. Infants, neurologically compromised people, the elderly and otherwise immobile or unaware individuals are at a higher risk of multiple stinging incidents and should be supervised carefully. People vary greatly to their sensitivity to fire ant stings, with some claiming to be “resistant” to the venom. Others are hypersensitive to venom or may have other medical conditions (e.g., heart condition, diabetes) that can result in serious medical problems or even death from a single sting. Secondary bacterial infection can also be a problem, and might require longer-term medical attention. While most people can tolerate many stings, severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) occur in less than 1% of people stung by fire ants. Localized skin reaction to venom of the sting hurts for a few minutes and then reddens; then it swells into a bump or hive within 20 minutes. Within a several hours to a day after being stung, most people develop an often white fluid-filled sterile pustule characteristic of imported fire ant sting. These pustules last for several days may become infected and require medical attention. For most people, the pustule dries up in several weeks. Although stings are not usually life threatening, they can be easily infected if the skin is broken. Whole body reactions, symptoms of anaphylaxis can include dizziness, nausea, sweating, low blood pressure, headache and shortness of breath. If any of these symptoms occur, the person requires immediate medical attention. Anaphylactic shock can lead to death. People who show symptoms indicating anaphylactic shock should seek advice from an allergist before entering known fire antinfested areas. Other syndromes that have been attributed to fire ant stings include neuropathy, seizures, cerebrovascular incidents and nephrotic syndrome.
For minor stinging incidents, with the only symptoms being pain and the development of pustules, stings can be treated with over-the-counter products that relieve pain and prevent infection. For those suffering just pain and the development of pustules, a simple solution of half bleach and half water applied immediately to the area can reduce the pain, itching and, perhaps, pustule formation. It is essential to apply it quickly. If a sting causes severe chest pain, nausea, severe sweating, loss of breath, serious swelling or slurred speech, the person should be taken to an emergency medical facility immediately.

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Additional Photos

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And More Photos

[Dances with Mice]

You can scratch cottonmouths from your list. I don't believe there's any near the AT.

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You can scratch cottonmouths from your list. I don't believe there's any near the AT.

I know there is no likelihood of seeing one up in the mountains, but there have been reports of them in some of the lower valleys and streams. (blue blazes possibly). I will try to refind the information and provide a link.

[mweinstone]

"there will be no bears while you are sleeping" quote:jeff from hike inn at fontana

[mweinstone]

on a shuttle in 06 to the trail jeff said that in response to julieanns question from the back seat," what if a bear comes while im sleeping?"
we laughed for 500 miles.
the way he said it calmed her fears well. thats what is needed. calm. we are feared way more than they fear us. from ants to bears, the best thing is calm.

[Bob McCaw]

on a shuttle in 06 to the trail jeff said that in response to julieanns question from the back seat," what if a bear comes while im sleeping?"
we laughed for 500 miles.
the way he said it calmed her fears well. thats what is needed. calm. we are feared way more than they fear us. from ants to bears, the best thing is calm.

LOL, I can hear him say that.

[Cookerhiker]

I hadn't realized fire ants were found in the AT corridor. My experiences with them was in Southern Mississippi.

Re. cottonmouths, the article states: "...Cottonmouths are generally restricted to the Coastal Plain but are found in a few Piedmont locations west of Atlanta, Georgia... " - so it doesn't appear they're an issue on the AT.

[Wise Old Owl]

I know there is no likelihood of seeing one up in the mountains, but there have been reports of them in some of the lower valleys and streams. (blue blazes possibly). I will try to refind the information and provide a link.

When hiking at Port Clinton down by the river - you can find Water Moccosins

[Cookerhiker]

When hiking at Port Clinton down by the river - you can find Water Moccosins

So you're saying the books are all wrong including my recent Peterson field guide to reptiles? You're not referring to non-venomous water snakes as water "moccosins" like a friend of mine from Wisconsin did? There are poisonous water snakes in PA?

[moytoy]

When I was about 12 we found a dead Cottonmouth at the mouth of Eagle Creek on Fontana Lake. So I guess it's possible to see one on the AT but I would agree not likely.

[Rain Man]

When I was about 12 we found a dead Cottonmouth at the mouth of Eagle Creek on Fontana Lake. So I guess it's possible to see one on the AT but I would agree not likely.

All I can say is I doubt that. When I was 12, I "played" with snakes and spiders in SC. I know cottonmouths. Fontana Lake has no native cottonmouths.

RainMan

.

[Pedaling Fool]

When I was a kid, living in central florida, I use to catch alligators (babies) and water snakes with a guy that was really into reptiles. And it is very easy to mistake a cotton mouth with some non-poisonous water snakes. I'm no expert and can't describe the differences, but do remember keeping my hand in the boat when he said "don't reach for that snake..."

[10-K]

This comes up from time to time...

I'm from Georgia where there are most definitely cottonmouths and I agree that there range generally doesn't reach to the AT.

Having said that, who can say with 100% certainty that at least a few have managed to work their way that far north - species do evolve and adapt over time and average temps are rising.

It's like the saying, "There are no poisonous snakes in Maine." to which my reply is to ask if someone is standing at the state line checking ID..... I don't think animals respect man-made boundaries.

[moytoy]

All I can say is I doubt that. When I was 12, I "played" with snakes and spiders in SC. I know cottonmouths. Fontana Lake has no native cottonmouths.

RainMan

.

Doubt it or not I have no reason to make it up. The reason I am so sure about it is that some of the boys (boy scouts) were dissecting its mouth to see the fangs. Boys will be boys! I distinctly remember seeing the fangs and white mouth.

[chili36]

I disagree that Fontana has no water moccasins.

[Pedaling Fool]

This comes up from time to time...

I'm from Georgia where there are most definitely cottonmouths and I agree that there range generally doesn't reach to the AT.

Having said that, who can say with 100% certainty that at least a few have managed to work their way that far north - species do evolve and adapt over time and average temps are rising.

It's like the saying, "There are no poisonous snakes in Maine." to which my reply is to ask if someone is standing at the state line checking ID..... I don't think animals respect man-made boundaries.

I basically agree with you and wasn't saying that the snake was NOT a cottonmouth, just that I know it's easy to mix up some species, including cottonmouths. Reminds me when I was trying to id a spider I took a pic of, turns out there are several types that look exactly like the spider I took a pic of that have a totally different habit and range.

And yes it is true, they do evolve and science always makes mistakes in this area of logging species range of habitat or their ability to adapt to a new habitat.

However, WRT to rising temps, I don't agree. This reminds me of a time I was watching some Japanese scientist that saw a starfish, supposedly a tropical species that was sighted in their diving area near Japan. Their claim was that this tropical species was never seen in these waters and that it must be GW that pushed this species there. Yet, they failed to note that they had just been discussing how cold the water was and the special precautions to combat the near-freezing temps.

GW...I don't think so. It's either another species look-alike or we don't know everything about that particular species of starfish.