PubHawk
Am J Emerg Med July 2021 PMID 33046301

Epidemiology of fatal snakebites in the United States 1989-2018.

Spencer C Greene, Jason Folt, Kimberly Wyatt, Nicklaus P Brandehoff

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Mentions

39
Peak: 27 in Apr 2023
across 4 sources since Aug 2020

Extended reach

643,646
potential audience

Total likes

4,832

Video views

551,361

Mentions per month

Aug 2020 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter32 posts
  • News4 articles
  • Bluesky2 posts
  • YouTube1 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions exhibit a balanced mix of factual reporting and curiosity, exemplified by comments highlighting the rarity of fatalities from copperhead bites over nearly three decades, and references to the focus on specific snake species and victim behaviors. The tone varies from casual remarks about snake encounters to more analytical mentions of data and epidemiology, showing an overall moderate interest and engagement with the publication’s findings.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most comments acknowledge the rarity of fatalities from snakebites, aligning with the publication's findings that fatal cases are few over the decades, especially from certain species like copperheads.

InterestHigh interest

Posts demonstrate strong curiosity, highlighting specific statistics and details about snake species, victim demographics, and the rarity of deaths, indicating high relevance and engagement.

EngagementModerate engagement

Some discussions reference specific data points, such as the primary body parts injured and the median age, reflecting a moderate depth of engagement beyond surface-level reactions.

ImpactModerate impact

The posts suggest that while the topic is fascinating and well-supported by data, it doesn’t provoke strong calls to action, indicating moderate perceived societal impact.

Abstract in brief

  • There are between 5,000 and 10,000 snake envenomations each year in the U.S., but only a small number are fatal; this study focuses on the epidemiology of those fatalities.
  • The research analyzed data from the American Association of Poison Control Centers and other sources over nearly three decades, uncovering 101 fatal snakebites, primarily from rattlesnakes.
  • Most victims were male, with a median age of 40, and many interactions with snakes were intentional; seeking quick medical help significantly reduces the likelihood of death from a snakebite.
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Emily Taylor
@snakeymama · X

Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are the species associated with the highest number of deaths, in large part due to religious handling of snakes! @ToxSpencer DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2020.08.083 https://t.co/GcoPhV1DZJ

Apr 7, 2023 · 123 likes · 32 shares · 9,141 followers View post →
LKS ASE
@LksAse · X

Epidemiology of fatal snakebites in the United States 1989–2018 https://t.co/7ssltGjtb2

Aug 30, 2020 · 1 like · 975 followers View post →
Professor Goose
@thundergoose.bsky.social · Bluesky

From J. Am ER Med - fatal snake bites in the US: "The median age for victims was 40 years old. In cases for which data were available, many of the snake interactions were intentional, e.g. religious services, animal husbandry, and attempting to kill the snake." pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33046301/

Dec 14, 2023 · 1 like · 1 share View post →
Dr Dani Rabaiotti
@DaniRabaiotti · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 9, 2023 · 32 shares · 24,856 followers View post →
John P. Friel, Ph.D.
@friel · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 7, 2023 · 32 shares · 7,687 followers View post →
Philip Amies
@AmiesPhilip · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 7, 2023 · 32 shares · 7,085 followers View post →

All mentions

R Smith
@FamousWulfe · X

A visit to Florida! You are a victim of a Diamondback Rattlesnake Bite! ... https://t.co/ANOBuIuEZe via @YouTube

Sep 9, 2025 · 39 followers View post →
Boss Chonk
@bosschonkhold · X

@Mustangrde1 @Waylon_McGee @BudLightSadness https://t.co/1oWztvqqWx(90.2,by%20an%20eastern%20coral%20snake. Between 1989 and 2018 there were five fatalities from copperhead bites. Five. In 29 years. What are the odds that you knew multiple of them?

Aug 17, 2025 · 53 followers View post →
The Voodoo Kudzu Podcast
@VoodooKudzu · X

https://t.co/PL0TwuehvY

May 22, 2025 · 30 followers View post →
Professor Goose
@thundergoose.bsky.social · Bluesky

another publication lists "Arms/hands (46.8%) and legs/feet (46.1%) were the primary body parts injured." pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33046301/

Dec 14, 2023 View post →
Professor Goose
@thundergoose.bsky.social · Bluesky

From J. Am ER Med - fatal snake bites in the US: "The median age for victims was 40 years old. In cases for which data were available, many of the snake interactions were intentional, e.g. religious services, animal husbandry, and attempting to kill the snake." pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33046301/

Dec 14, 2023 · 1 like · 1 share View post →
Dr Dani Rabaiotti
@DaniRabaiotti · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 9, 2023 · 32 shares · 24,856 followers View post →
Carmen Cayo Gonzales
@CarmenCayoG · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 8, 2023 · 32 shares · 74 followers View post →
Charlosea22
@Charseawin22 · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 8, 2023 · 32 shares · 2,482 followers View post →
Jackson Roberts
@JR_Roberts265 · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 8, 2023 · 32 shares · 253 followers View post →
Michelle Souza
@Souzam7139 · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 8, 2023 · 32 shares · 1,163 followers View post →
Hiral Naik
@HiralNaik25 · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 8, 2023 · 32 shares · 2,170 followers View post →
daniela guerrero
@danielag818 · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 8, 2023 · 32 shares · 140 followers View post →
Maik Damm
@DammMaik · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 8, 2023 · 32 shares · 1,177 followers View post →
Mark A. Davis
@Mark_A_Davis79 · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 8, 2023 · 32 shares · 1,414 followers View post →
Dr. Julia Riley
@jr4science · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 8, 2023 · 32 shares · 3,143 followers View post →
Kabir Chatterjee
@Logicoraptor · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 8, 2023 · 32 shares · 139 followers View post →
Amy Panikowski
@AmyPanikowski · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 8, 2023 · 32 shares · 1,818 followers View post →
Emma McAndrews
@e_mcandrews · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 7, 2023 · 32 shares · 7 followers View post →
Luiz Gonzaga! - BaiãoEterno!_A Capacitância! - NE!
@A_Capacitancia · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 7, 2023 · 32 shares · 374 followers View post →
Michael G. Starkey
@mgstarkey · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 7, 2023 · 32 shares · 655 followers View post →
John P. Vanek, PhD
@wild_ecology · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 7, 2023 · 32 shares · 4,792 followers View post →
SirFowlman
@SirFowlman · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 7, 2023 · 32 shares · 374 followers View post →
Philip Amies
@AmiesPhilip · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 7, 2023 · 32 shares · 7,085 followers View post →
TheAlexisZap
@TheAlexisZap · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 7, 2023 · 32 shares · 293 followers View post →
Dr Steven Allain
@stevoallain · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 7, 2023 · 32 shares · 3,847 followers View post →
Timothy J. Colston
@maddreptiles · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 7, 2023 · 32 shares · 1,216 followers View post →
Stephen Riffle, Ph.D.
@EyaSpectre · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 7, 2023 · 32 shares · 1,210 followers View post →
little grey mouse
@mouse_math · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 7, 2023 · 32 shares · 4,026 followers View post →
John P. Friel, Ph.D.
@friel · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 7, 2023 · 32 shares · 7,687 followers View post →
Uru Podcast
@PodcastUru · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 7, 2023 · 32 shares · 4,693 followers View post →
Milton Tan
@mtanichthys · X

RT @snakeymama: Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are…

Apr 7, 2023 · 32 shares · 5,092 followers View post →
Emily Taylor
@snakeymama · X

Fascinating new-ish paper on the epidemiology of snakebite deaths in the U.S. Deaths are very rare. Timber Rattlesnakes are the species associated with the highest number of deaths, in large part due to religious handling of snakes! @ToxSpencer DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2020.08.083 https://t.co/GcoPhV1DZJ

Apr 7, 2023 · 123 likes · 32 shares · 9,141 followers View post →
stephen wegner
@swegn001 · X

Epidemiology of fatal snakebites in the United States 1989-2018 - PubMed. 101 people died, “many” were intentional encounters. https://t.co/rZ5Uu2RPJh

Sep 5, 2021 · 137 followers View post →
LKS ASE
@LksAse · X

Epidemiology of fatal snakebites in the United States 1989–2018 https://t.co/7ssltGjtb2

Aug 30, 2020 · 1 like · 975 followers View post →