THE VENOMOUS SNAKES OF TEXAS

THE DAILY SENTINEL (Nacogdoches, Texas) 17 Mar 07

A 40-year-old Cushing man died early Saturday — a week after being bitten by a copperhead snake.

Mark Mahaffey died at about 1 a.m. Saturday at Nacogdoches Medical Center, according to Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Kerry Williamson, but the official cause of death had not been determined as of press time Saturday. An autopsy has been ordered.

About 8,000 venomous snakebites are reported in the U.S. each year, but only five to 12 are deadly, according to Dr. Paul Risk, a biologist and former SFA forestry professor. Half of venomous snakebites are "dry," which means they inject no venom, Risk said.

"Copperheads are not that venomous," Risk said. "Often, they (doctors) don't have to treat the bites with antivenin."

Copperheads can control the amount of venom they inject, he said, and they have the ability to strike multiple times.

According to Laird Funeral Home, Mahaffey's funeral will be held in Oberlin, La.

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