Snakes
Miami-Dade County is home to a surprising number of real snakes, too. There are many varieties native to the area, although most are harmless and rarely seen since they are both fast and shy.

There are only four types of dangerous snakes found naturally in South Florida.  The first three are Pit Vipers:

• The Eastern Diamond-back Rattlesnake, which can reach more than 6 feet
• The Pygmy Rattlesnake, which is 1 to 2 feet long and very aggressive
• The Cottonmouth or Water Moccasin, which is usually found near water

Snakes in the Pit Viper family are all identifiable by their diamond-shaped heads, which have a pit between the eyes. They all have vertically elliptical (or cat-like) pupils and two prominent fangs. Rattlesnakes are further identifiable by their rattlers, but you should know that they don’t always rattle prior to striking.   

Signs and symptoms of a pit viper bite may include: two distinctive punctures, pain and swelling at the site, weakness, nausea, vomiting, numbness and tingling around the face or head, and a metallic or unusual taste in the mouth.

The fourth dangerous snake native to South Florida is the Coral Snake, and it’s a tricky one. It doesn’t have any of the distinctive features of the Pit Vipers, and with it’s red, yellow and black rings, it actually looks a lot like several other harmless snakes found in the state. The only difference is the order of the colored rings.

There is a saying involving a “friend of jack” and “killing a fellow” that is supposed to help you remember which one is dangerous, but even in the most ideal situations, I have a hard time remembering it correctly. I can just imagine the trouble I would have trying to get it right while locked in a fierce staring match with any snake wearing red, yellow and black.

A better way to remember is to think of a stoplight. It goes yellow, then red, and then you STOP. If the snake’s rings have yellow that touches red, you STOP (and stay away!) Of course, my favorite reminder is to stay away no matter what order the rings are in, just to be on the safe side!

The signs and symptoms associated with a Coral Snake bite can be delayed up to 12 hours, so if you’ve been bitten by anything that looks like a Coral Snake, monitor very closely for the development of central nervous system disturbances and respiratory distress. If in doubt, call 911.    
Initial treatment of any venomous snakebite will be the same:

• Remove yourself from the snake’s area. 
• Do not attempt to catch the snake; just try to remember a general description. 
• Call 911 immediately and remove any jewelry or clothing that would cut circulation if swelling occurs.
• Maintain the injured site below the level of the heart. 
• Remain calm in order to slow the circulation of the venom through the rest of the body.
• DO NOT apply a tourniquet, ice or cold packs, try to suck the venom out of the wound, or make any cuts around the site. 

Besides the native venomous snakes in our area, there are the occasional exotic snakes that have escaped or been set free. If you find a snake and you do not know if it is venomous, the safest thing to do is leave it alone. Many snakebite victims are bitten on the hands and arms, which usually means they were handling the snake or trying to catch it. Never try to catch or handle a snake unless you are trained to do so and you are sure it is not venomous. For more on snakes, visit

Other Critters
It’s summer in Miami, and the oppressive heat and heavy rain sends many of us scurrying indoors or, in some cases, completely out of town. If you are brave enough to venture outside for some reason other than the necessary transition into your car, and you actually remain outside for more than a few minutes, you are likely to discover a wide variety of biting and stinging creatures, who actually thrive in the Miami summer months.

Our most common biting pest is the mosquito. There was a time when the “skeeter” was nothing more than an itchy nuisance, but with the recent spread of West Nile Virus, this nasty little pest has become a serious health hazard, too. 

Everyone should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, but it is especially important to protect small children and the elderly since they are the most vulnerable to West Nile Virus. If possible, avoid outdoor activity near dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active, and if you plan on being outdoors for any length of time, use an approved repellent.

With the high-octane contents in most new insect repellents, you would think that you are safe from virtually all bugs, but insect repellents will only help protect you against mosquitoes and some varieties of flies and ticks. 

Repellents are NO protection from some of the most offensive biters and stingers. Bees, wasps, hornets, fire ants, scorpions and spiders are abundant here in South Florida, and they will laugh out loud from their hiding places as they watch you drench yourself in repellent.

Fortunately, the bites of most of these creatures are not usually life-threatening unless you have an allergic reaction. Stings by bees, wasps and ants are especially common, and normal reactions to bites from all these pests include pain, itching, redness and swelling confined to the sting site. Even though scorpions have a dramatic reputation, the varieties that are native to South Florida are typically no more dangerous than bees. 

A bite or sting from any of these insects can turn dangerous or even deadly if you have an allergic or abnormal reaction. While these reactions are not common, you should always monitor for any development of the following signs and symptoms, and call 911 immediately if you notice:

• Hives or swelling in areas other than the sting site
• Tightness in the chest or difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the mouth, tongue or throat
• Dizziness or sharp drop in blood pressure
• Unconsciousness or cardiac arrest

People who have had one allergic reaction have a much greater chance of having a similar or worse reaction with each future bite, so ALL allergic reactions--even mild ones--should be evaluated by a doctor. In some cases, a doctor will prescribe an emergency auto-injector pen containing the drug epinephrine to be carried by individuals who are prone to severe allergic reactions.

Most spiders found in the United States are harmless, with the exception of the Black Widow and the Brown Recluse spiders. Both are found here in South Florida, but neither of these spiders is aggressive so bites are not very common.  The bite may not cause much pain initially. In fact, many patients are unaware that they have been bitten until the following signs and symptoms appear:

• For the Black Widow look out for pain and severe muscle spasms in the shoulders, back, chest and abdomen, as well as fever, vomiting, nausea, headache and seizures.
• The Brown Recluse bite will produce a dark purple bite surrounded by a white ring and then redness and swelling around that. It often resembles a “bulls-eye.” Fever, chills, nausea and joint pain may also accompany this “target” at the injury site.

Bites by either of these spiders are considered true emergencies and 911 should be called immediately.

If you are involved in those “other types of stings” here in Miami, these safety tips will be of little use, but I do know of a pretty good lawyer!