Latest news with #KimberlyCataudella
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
8 recommendations from experts for copperhead safety in North Carolina
Stories by News & Observer journalists, with AI summarization Experts advise North Carolinians to watch where they step, especially in summer when copperheads are active. Knowing the copperhead's appearance — usually brownish-gray with hourglass patterns — and being able to tell them apart from harmless snakes is crucial. Keeping yards clear of debris and using protective gear like gloves while gardening can reduce chance encounters; copperheads may take shelter under porches or near cicada hotspots. If bitten, seek emergency care at hospitals with antivenom and call NC Poison Control if symptoms are mild. For hikers, planning ahead by alerting others to your route and carrying a satellite phone in remote areas helps ensure rapid response in case of emergencies. Always seek medical treatment, but antivenom is not always necessary, doctors say. Here's why. | Published May 8, 2023 | Read Full Story by Kimberly Cataudella We talked to the medical director of NC Poison Control for his advice. Screenshot this story so you have it on your phone in an emergency. | Published June 15, 2023 | Read Full Story by Kimberly Cataudella Copperheads are NC's most common venomous snake, and sometimes they come a little too close to our front doors. | Published July 18, 2023 | Read Full Story by Kimberly Cataudella 'Identifying snakes can be tricky, and mistaking a non-venomous snake for a venomous one is common.' | Published March 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by N&O Service Journalism Team, with Nota AI summarization The hiss of cicadas is the copperhead's dinner bell. | Published May 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska Here's what a wildlife biologist says you should do in your backyard to deter snakes (and nudge them out when you see one). | Published May 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska Glass (legless) lizards look remarkably snake-like. We talked to wildlife experts to find out how to tell the difference. | Published May 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted Copperheads are the only venomous snake you're likely to encounter in the Triangle and central NC. Here's how to identify and avoid them. | Published April 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Explore 7 stories demystifying NC copperheads and other snakes
Stories by News & Observer journalists, with AI summarization North Carolina copperheads, our most common venomous snake, are often spotted searching for food like cicadas or rodents in yards and gardens. Experts say copperheads prefer hiding under vegetation, porches, or in piles of leaves and wood, so clearing these shelters is the best way to make your space less attractive to them. Removing food sources like spilled birdseed can also help, as rodents drawn to the area bring copperheads in. Stories clarify common myths, such as baby copperhead bites not being more dangerous than adults, and that copperheads would rather avoid humans than bite. If you do see a snake, experts advise giving it space, not handling it, and calling professionals like NC Snake Catcher if needed, while always watching where you step, especially at night or in thick ground cover. Copperheads are NC's most common venomous snake, and sometimes they come a little too close to our front doors. | Published July 18, 2023 | Read Full Story by Kimberly Cataudella Fact or fiction: Are baby copperhead bites more venomous than adult bites? Here's what the experts say. | Published August 9, 2023 | Read Full Story by Kimberly Cataudella I've written more than a dozen stories about copperheads, but this was my first up-close-and-personal encounter. (Tip: cussing the snake out doesn't help.) | Published September 25, 2023 | Read Full Story by Brooke Cain Glass (legless) lizards look remarkably snake-like. We talked to wildlife experts to find out how to tell the difference. | Published May 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted We fact checked 15 common beliefs about snakes, including several about copperhead behavior. | Published May 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska We may be more likely to see snakes this time of year, as the weather warms. Use this information to make encounters less scary. | Published March 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted Humans know to leave snakes alone if we see them. Dogs don't. In case a copperhead strikes your furry friend, keep these tips in mind. | Published April 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted Brooke Cain The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
