Snake bites in the United States are not very common. In most cases, snakes bite humans as a defensive reaction due to feeling threatened. As with most wildlife, snakes will leave you alone if you respect their space and leave them alone. If you are bitten by a snake, you should remove all jewelry and rings as the bite can cause swelling. Keep the area of the bite lower than the heart if possible. Wash out the wound with soap and water. Do not attempt to "suck the venom" out of the area. Get medical attention as soon as possible.

Although you may feel some panic at the time, take note of the physical characteristics of the snake such as markings, shape of head, coloring, presence of a rattle. This information can be helpful to determine the best medical treatment appropriate for the bite.

The statistics on snake bites indicate your chances of being bitten by a dangerous snake are unlikely. It is the usually the people working and living in an area where the poisonous varietys exist that are more likely to suffer a dangerous bite.