These 2 Massachusetts Creatures Can Thrust Your Body into Shock

It's that time of year when Massachusetts residents are seeing a variety of wild animals in their yards and running through neighborhoods. Deer, bears, rabbits, coyotes, skunks, and raccoons are common animals that you'll see this time of year.

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Two Rare Snakes are in Massachusetts This Time of Year and You'll Want to Keep Away from Them

There are two species of snake that are also around in Massachusetts, but you may or may not see them depending on where you live in the Bay State.

The bites of Eastern Copperheads can potentially be lethal, causing death.

Symptoms from an Eastern Copperhead Bite:

• Pain: Local pain and tenderness at the bite area, which can sometimes be severe
• Swelling: Swelling around the wound
• Redness: Redness around the wound
• Bleeding: Bleeding around the wound
• Puncture marks: One, two, or three puncture marks on the skin
• Other symptoms: Numbness or tingling around the mouth, tongue, scalp, feet, or the bite area, a metallic, rubbery, or minty taste in the mouth, swelling in lymph nodes near the bite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, low blood pressure, and signs of shock.

It should also be noted that various web sources report that about 20–25% of copperhead bites are "dry bites", meaning there are no symptoms. Copperhead venom is relatively mild, and the severity of a bite depends on how much venom is received. In addition, the copperheads are non-violent and non-aggressive. Copperheads are primarily found in the Boston area of Massachusetts.

A timber rattlesnake bite can cause severe pain, swelling, and other symptoms, and is considered a medical emergency:

• Pain, tingling, or burning
• Swelling, bruising, or discoloration
• Numbness in the face or limbs
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty breathing
• Trouble seeing
• Excess salivation and sweating
• Shock

Timber Rattlesnakes are endangered, and they can be found in the Holyoke Mountain Range and the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton. These snakes are very mild-mannered and are rare in the Bay State. You can check out mass.gov for more information about both species of snake.