Bitten By a Snake in Louisiana? The 5 Things You Shouldn’t Ever Do

(KMDL-FM) The official calendar might not say it's summertime in Louisiana, but according to the thermometer outside our window, we are close enough. Temperatures from Lafayette, Lake Charles, and Baton Rouge will be in the mid to upper 80s this afternoon. And yes, there will be a feels-like temperature reading that is even higher.

How Many Species of Venomous Snakes Live in Louisiana?

As temperatures get warmer, the 48 different species of snakes that call Louisiana home will become even more active. The good news is that of the 48 species that call Louisiana home, only seven of them are venomous. Still, venomous or not, none of us really wants to spend part of our day diagnosing a snake bite.

READ MORE: These Are The Most Dangerous Animals in Louisiana

READ MORE: Louisiana's Largest and Most Dangerous Snakes

Fortunately, snake bite mortality in Louisiana isn't that outrageous. It's estimated that one in 50 million people will die from snake bites in the United States. From what we've been able to glean, a snake bite death in Louisiana happens about once every decade, still, no one wants to be that one, right?

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The best way to avoid a snake bite is to avoid snakes. That means don't go where they go, and if you happen to find yourself in their habitat, you can usually just chill and the snake will leave you alone. They want less to do with you than you want to do with them.

What Do I Do If I Find a Snake in My House or My Yard?

If you happen to discover a snake in your home, your business, or someplace around children, then you will probably want to have the creature removed. You can call a wildlife specialist who will come and relocate the creature to a different place so all involved are none the worse for wear, other than an accelerated heartbeat, okay, that might just be me.

But in the unlikely event you are bitten by a snake, don't let Hollywood be your guide. All of that stuff they do in the movies will make things worse or cause you to die. So, what are the four things you should never do if bitten by a snake?