Oklahoma Poison Center Urges Caution During Snake Season

OKLAHOMA CITY – As temperatures rise across Oklahoma, so does snake activity – and with it, the risk of potentially dangerous snake bites. The Oklahoma Poison Center is reminding residents to stay alert and know what to do if they encounter a snake.

Each year, the Oklahoma Poison Center plays a critical role in helping Oklahomans safely manage snake bites. In 2025 alone, the Oklahoma Poison Center assisted in the management of 311 snake bite cases statewide.

Of those cases:

• 143 were copperhead bites
• 41 were rattlesnake bites
• 10 involved cottonmouths
• 77 were from an unknown type of venomous snake
• 27 were unknown whether venomous or not
• 13 involved non-venomous snakes

Since 2010, the Oklahoma Poison Center has helped manage more than 4,100 snake bites, highlighting just how common these encounters are across the state.

“Snake bites are more common than many people realize, especially during the spring and summer months,” said Kristie Edelen, PharmD, managing director of the Oklahoma Poison Center. “The good news is that most bites can be managed effectively with the right guidance, and that’s exactly what we’re here for.”

Know Before You Go: Common Oklahoma Venomous Snakes

Oklahoma is home to several venomous snakes, including:

• Copperheads
• Rattlesnakes (Western Massasauga, Prairie, Timber, Western diamond-backed, Western pygmy)
• Cottonmouths (also known as water moccasins)

These snakes are often found in wooded areas, tall grass, rocky terrain and near bodies of water, but they can also be encountered in backyards, garages and walking trails.

What To Do If You’re Bitten

If you or someone else is bitten by a snake:

• Stay calm and move away from the snake.
• Remove tight clothing or jewelry near the bite site.
• Call the Oklahoma Poison Center immediately at 1-800-222-1222.

Do NOT:

• Try to suck out the venom.
• Apply ice or a tourniquet.
• Attempt to capture or kill the snake.

“Calling us right away can make a significant difference,” Edelen said. “We provide real-time guidance to the public and healthcare providers, helping determine when a trip to the emergency department is necessary and when it’s not.”

A Trusted Resource, 24/7

The Oklahoma Poison Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, offering free, confidential expert advice. In 2025, the center helped keep 95% of exposure cases safely at home, reducing unnecessary emergency room visits and saving both time and healthcare costs.

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About Oklahoma Poison Center

Oklahoma Poison Center is dedicated to providing expert advice and support in cases of poisoning and exposure to harmful substances. Our mission is to prevent poisonings and reduce their impact through education, prevention, and providing emergency treatment recommendations. The Oklahoma Poison Center is a program of the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy.

About the University of Oklahoma

Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university with campuses in Norman, Oklahoma City and Tulsa. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. In Oklahoma City, the OU Health Campus is one of the nation’s few academic health centers with seven health profession colleges located on the same campus. The OU Health Campus serves approximately 4,000 students in more than 70 undergraduate and graduate degree programs spanning Oklahoma City and Tulsa and is the leading research institution in Oklahoma. For more information about the OU Health Campus, visit www.ouhsc.edu.