Biodiversity of Alabama: Poisonous and Parasitic Species

79. Copperhead Agkistrodon contortrix hourglass markings most common poisonous snake in the woods of north Alabama Ambush predator Least poisonous venom of all North America snakes, but bite is painful Not aggressive, but camouflage is so good that people can get bitten if they come upon it without seeing it

80. Timber Rattlesnake Crotalus horridus chevrons on back are characteristic One of the pit vipers – has heat-seeking organs on head to detect prey, such as small mammals Numbers are declining Powerful venom, but not aggressive, usually gives warning display before attacking

81. Cottonmouth or water moccasin Agkistrodon piscivorus (name means fish-eater) pattern or solid black, inside of mouth white, shows open mouth in threat display found near water aggressive

82. Coral snake south Alabama only “red on yellow, kill a fellow” Not much of a threat to humans because they are so shy and fangs are short Compare to Scarlet Kingsnake – “red on black, venom lack”

83. Black Widow found in undisturbed protected areas (old woodpiles, stumps, dry drains, old stacks of newspapers, etc.) red hourglass on abdomen neurotoxin affects nervous system

84. Brown Recluse also found in undisturbed areas like the black widow dark brown violin shape on thorax (“fiddleback”) Necrotic effect of poison (eats away tissue)

85. Order Hymenoptera Flying stinging insects: bees, wasps, yellowjackets Includes fire ants (also invasive)

86. Poison Ivy grows as a low weedy plant, a climbing vine or a shrub “Leaves of three, let it be.” Hairy vines on trees are also poisonous

87. Poison Sumac a woody shrub or small tree growing 20 ft tall. Grows only in wet areas, such as swamps, bogs All parts of the plant contain a resin that causes skin and mucous membrane irritation to humans. When burned, inhalation of the smoke may cause the rash to appear on the lining of the lungs, causing extreme pain and possibly fatal respiratory difficulty Has compound leaves, with 7-13 leaflets per “leaf”

88. Leech parasite on freshwater organisms produces an antisthetic (numbs site) and anticoagulant (keeps blood from clotting)

89. Deer tick very small (adults are the two on the left below) Bites host to get a blood meal before reproducing may transmit Lyme disease – causes bull’s eye-shaped rash, then joint pain, fever, flu-like symptoms