TULSA - With the rainy weather and warmer days ahead, health officials are reporting an increase in snake bites.
Experts say snakes tend to come out from their habitats after it rains.
The number of bites by venomous snakes in the state has increased this year from this same time last year.
According to the Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Information, there have been 49 snake bites reported since the beginning of the year compared to 23 last year.
Dr. Boyd Burns, the University of Oklahoma Emergency Medicine Residency Director, says this spike could be caused by two things.
He says the mild winter and wet spring could be the reason behind the increase, as well as better reporting of snake bites from emergency rooms.
Experts advice is you see a venomous snake, keep your distance and back away slowly.
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