{"id":10914,"date":"2022-04-08T20:02:23","date_gmt":"2022-04-08T20:02:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=10914"},"modified":"2022-04-08T20:04:39","modified_gmt":"2022-04-08T20:04:39","slug":"how-bad-are-bull-snake-bites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/how-bad-are-bull-snake-bites\/","title":{"rendered":"How Bad Are Bull Snake Bites?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You\u2019ve noticed that a bull snake has moved into your yard. Perhaps you\u2019ve even had a close encounter with the snake, and now you\u2019re wondering: what should you do if you ever get bit by it? How bad are bull snake bites? Should you be worried about having a bull snake so close to home? Keep reading! In this article, we\u2019ll answer all of these questions and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Dangerous are Bull Snakes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is fair to say that bull snakes are some of the calmest snakes<\/a> out there. They aren\u2019t likely to strike unless they feel acutely threatened and can\u2019t get away from whatever is threatening them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bull snakes are quite large\u2013they can grow up to 8 feet long in many cases. They are also relatively stout and heavy, though they don\u2019t necessarily look like it because they are so long; but they are strong and muscular, as they kill their prey by constricting it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, bull snakes are not likely to treat a human as prey\u2013they will more likely strike and attempt to bite than wrap around an arm or leg and attempt to constrict you. Which begs the question: are they venomous?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luckily, no\u2013bull snakes are nonvenomous snakes. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, they are often confused with venomous snakes such as rattlesnakes, and the two kinds of snakes often live in the same areas. It\u2019s easy to confuse bull snakes and rattlers because they behave very similarly when threatened\u2013they will both shake their tails, hiss, coil their bodies, etc, and they look very much alike when doing so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With that in mind, if you\u2019re bitten by a snake and you\u2019re not sure whether it\u2019s a bull snake or a rattler, it\u2019s important to get to the hospital immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you know it was a bull snake that bit you, it\u2019s still a good idea to get medical attention. Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Happens if You Get Bitten By a Bull Snake?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bull snakes aren\u2019t venomous, but you may still experience complications if you get bitten by one. This is because their mouths are full of bacteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bull snake bites will not cause acute poisoning, but if left untreated, they may get badly infected. Depending on the exact strains of bacteria present and the severity of the bite, an untreated bull snake bite may eventually lead to blood poisoning, which could spread throughout the body and cause systemic damage.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again though, bull snake bites don\u2019t usually cause such serious complications. But because of the risk of infection, it\u2019s important to get any snake bite checked out and get proper treatment if necessary so an infection doesn\u2019t develop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are bitten by a bull snake, get to a doctor’s office as soon as possible. The bite will likely be very painful, and the sooner you get treatment, the lower your risk of infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bull snake bites likely won\u2019t require emergency treatment unless the bite punctured an artery or vein and is bleeding severely. It\u2019s still important to take the bite seriously and to get medical treatment\u2013the sooner the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Do if a Bull Snake Bites You?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a look at some tips to help you avoid infection if you are bitten by a bull snake:<\/p>\n\n\n\n