Charlotte Girl Bitten by Copperhead

CHARLOTTE COUNTY – A Charlotte County youth recently was bitten by a poisonous snake whose species is prevalent in the area.

Melissa Dotten, who works for the Charlotte County School System recently said that her 10-year-old daughter, Kassidy, was bitten by a copperhead snake while playing in their backyard. The bite occurred near a brush pile and trees in that vicinity.

Kassidy described the bite as feeling something like a bee sting. After initially being cleaned up and bandaged on the area of the bite, the leg began to swell and the youth was taken for further medical attention.

While Kassidy is recovering from the incident, this is reportedly one of several copperhead bites in the area during recent years. Copperheads vary in color from reddish to golden tan. The colored bands on their body are typically hourglass-shaped. Most adults are 18–36 inches long. They are not usually aggressive, but you may be more likely to be bitten when you unknowingly step on or near a copperhead. Copperheads are often found in forests, rocky areas, swamps, or near sources of water like rivers as well, but make their homes and nests under piles of leaves or brush.

According to experts, Black snakes and Easters King snakes actually eat the copperheads and can be better to have near a home than some with a fear of all snakes may think. If someone is bitten by a poisonous snake, they should seek immediate medical attention.