Copperhead snake bites on the rise in Georgia

ATLANTA - It is the season once again when many people are headed outdoors, but unfortunately so are Copperhead snakes.

Experts at the Georgia Poison Control said they are seeing a big spike in snake bite calls, in particular from Copperheads.

Brad and Cat Fraker came across a baby Copperhead and perhaps its mother, a larger one, while on the wildlife trail at Tuckers Henderson Park.

"We just knew not to harass the snake, avoid the snake especially with our little dog Phoebe here," said Cat Fraker.

At the Georgia Poison Center, one of the calls when FOX 5 News stopped by had to do with a woman hospitalized in metro Atlanta from a Copperhead bite.

"As we speak in Georgia we've had close to 100 already in the snake bite season and it is a busy season," said Dr. Gaylord Lopez, Director of Georgia Poison Center.

Dr. Lopez said calls are up about sixty percent from last year, the busiest year. The warm weather he said has made a difference.

"It didn't get cold in north Georgia, so they were out and about, and causing a lot of problems," said Dr. Lopez.

Experts said copperheads are found around brushy areas, woodpiles, and waterways.

Guests at the home of Randy Dobbs are being advised to stay out of trouble spots during a wedding this weekend.

"I stay out of this because I think that's an ideal place for snakes," said Dobbs.

Some other venomous snakes in Georgia include the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Timber Rattler, and Water Moccasin.

Snake bite calls to the Poison Center are primarily about Copperhead bites which will land somebody in the hospital, but are rarely fatal.

Dr. Lopez said do not try to do it yourself when it comes to snake bites.

"Don't try to cut or suck the venom out. We don't want people putting on tourniquets and cutting out blood flow. So get a set of car keys get yourself to an ER get yourself evaluated," said Dr. Lopez.