COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. – An Oakland County man is receiving treatement after being bitten by Michigan’s only venomous snake on Tuesday.
A 41-year-old Novi man was bitten on the hand by an Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake at a boat launch at Proud Lake Recreation Area in Commerce Township on July 21.
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The man was taken to a hospital at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, as it was the closest hospital with the anti-venom.
The Commerce Township Fire Department said rattlesnake bites in Michigan are extremely rare, but they can happen.
What to know about the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
The Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, a protected species, is typically found in wetland habitats, hence its nickname "Swamp rattlers."
This species is shy and known to avoid humans whenever possible. They spend most of their time in year-round wetlands hunting mice.
Their population has been declining due to fragmentation and loss of wetland habitat. They are listed as a threatened species.
How to identify an Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes are gray or grayish brown with dark blotches edged in white and spots down the back and sides. They can be 18.5 to 30 inches long on average. They are heavy-bodied and are often found coiled.
The snake species has a wide, triangular head with a pit on each side of the head between the eyes and nostril, with cat-like pupils.
The snake’s tail has a distinct segmented rattle. The tail is thick and squarish, and it does not taper to a point like all other snakes in Michigan.
What to do if you see a rattlesnake
If you encounter an Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, stay calm and keep your distance.
The Commerce Township Fire Department said you should never try to handle, capture, or kill the snake.
Keep children and pets away from the area, and if the snake poses an immediate public safety concern, call law enforcement.
You can report a sighting here.
What to do if you are bitten by a rattlesnake
If you are bitten by an Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, call 911 immediately.
Try to stay as calm and still as possible, and keep the wound immobilized while having it at or slightly below heart level. Before swelling happens, be sure to remove any rings, watches or restrictive clothing.
Fire officials urge you not to cut the wound, try to suck out the venom, apply a tourniquet, or use ice. These actions can cause more harm.