Here’s the difference between the SC critters that are poisonous and those that are venomous

One of Mallory Maher’s pet peeves is when people refer to snakes as poisonous.

The natural resources extension associate at Clemson University responds sweetly but firmly that snakes cannot be poisonous. They can be venomous. Not poisonous.

You get the feeling she wants you to repeat the mantra after her.

“Both poison and venom are toxins and can cause harm to humans,” she said in a post on the Clemson Home and Garden Information website.

The difference is how venom and poison enter the body.

Poison is eaten, inhaled, or touched.

Venom comes in through bites or stings that puncture the skin.

“You have my permission to correct the next person who tells you a snake is poisonous!” she said.

Here are her recommendations for avoiding poison and venom:

• Wear long sleeves, pants, and shoes when outdoors or walking through vegetation.

• “Leaves of 3, let it be” – this is a great saying to avoid poison ivy and poison oak, but in general, never eat or handle plants that you are unfamiliar with!

• Stingrays typically sting whenever they get stepped on or are surprised. Shuffle your feet as you walk in the ocean. Stingrays will get out of your way.

• In South Carolina, chances are the snake you come across is most likely nonvenomous. South Carolina is home to 38 species of snakes, and only six are venomous. Never handle a snake and give it plenty of room.

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