<P> In the United States, more than 40 percent of people bitten by snake intentionally put themselves in harm's way by attempting to capture wild snakes or by carelessly handling their dangerous pets--40 percent of that number had a blood alcohol level of 0.1 percent or more . </P> <P> It is also important to avoid snakes that appear to be dead, as some species will actually roll over on their backs and stick out their tongue to fool potential threats . A snake's detached head can immediately act by reflex and potentially bite . The induced bite can be just as severe as that of a live snake . Dead snakes are also incapable of regulating the venom they inject, so a bite from a dead snake can often contain large amounts of venom . </P> <P> It is not an easy task determining whether or not a bite by any species of snake is life - threatening . A bite by a North American copperhead on the ankle is usually a moderate injury to a healthy adult, but a bite to a child's abdomen or face by the same snake may be fatal . The outcome of all snakebites depends on a multitude of factors: the size, physical condition, and temperature of the snake, the age and physical condition of the person, the area and tissue bitten (e.g., foot, torso, vein or muscle), the amount of venom injected, the time it takes for the person to find treatment, and finally the quality of that treatment . </P> <P> Identification of the snake is important in planning treatment in certain areas of the world, but is not always possible . Ideally the dead snake would be brought in with the person, but in areas where snake bite is more common, local knowledge may be sufficient to recognize the snake . However, in regions where polyvalent antivenoms are available, such as North America, identification of snake is not a high priority item . Attempting to catch or kill the offending snake also puts one at risk for re-envenomation or creating a second person bitten, and generally is not recommended . </P>

Snake bite first affects which part of body