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