About 12 to 15 people die each year in the United States out of 8,000 to 10,000 bites from venomous snakes. Snakebite victims are usually males between the ages of 5 and 25 years who are attempting to handle a poisonous snake. There are two families and 26 species of venomous snakes found in the United States. There are four venomous snakes found in Tennessee. In addition, collectors in this country have imported many species of exotic snakes, which form a special problem to those involved in the management of snakebites.
Snake venom is one of the most complex substances known.
It contains protein and non-protein compounds including metals, amino acids, peptides, lipids, biogenic amines, enzymes, and polypeptides. Pit viper fangs are retractable and remain folded while the mouth is closed, but rotate outward when the snake strikes. The fangs are hollow and the venom is injected through an opening at the end of the fang. This process is similar to how one receives an injection by a hypodermic needle. By contrast, the Elapidae have tiny, immobile fangs that are grooved to allow the venom to flow down the fang surface and trickle into the wound.