A quiet afternoon at Proud Lake Recreation Area turned into a high-stakes medical run yesterday when a 41-year-old Novi man was bitten on the hand by a rattlesnake at a boat launch inside the Commerce Township park.
First responders and park staff rushed in to help, and the man was taken to University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, the closest hospital with antivenom. He is receiving treatment there, according to officials.
The incident, reported by ClickOnDetroit, involved the state’s only venomous snake and happened in exactly the kind of wetland environment where the species is known to live. The Commerce Township Fire Department told the outlet that rattlesnake bites in Michigan are extremely rare, but as Tuesday proved, not impossible.
Michigan’s Only Venomous Snake
The culprit was an eastern massasauga rattlesnake, a species the Michigan Department of Natural Resources says typically lives in year-round wetlands and is sometimes nicknamed the “swamp rattler.” Adults usually measure about 18.5 to 30 inches long, with gray to grayish-brown coloring, dark blotches edged in white, and a thick, squarish tail tipped with the familiar segmented rattle.
Despite the dramatic reputation that comes with a rattle, these snakes are generally shy and avoid people whenever they can. Tuesday’s bite is a reminder that sharing space with wildlife sometimes comes with surprises, even if the animals would usually prefer to stay out of sight.
What To Do If You See One, Or Get Bitten
Officials say the first move if you spot a massasauga is simple: keep your distance. Stay calm, give the snake space, and keep children and pets well away. The Commerce Township Fire Department told ClickOnDetroit that people should never try to handle, capture, or kill the snake.
If someone is bitten, call 911 immediately. Keep the person still, with the bite immobilized at or slightly below heart level, and remove rings or tight clothing before swelling starts. Do not cut the wound, try to suck out venom, apply a tourniquet, or put ice on the area. Those old movie tricks will not help and can make things worse.
Why The Massasauga Is Protected
The eastern massasauga is listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act, with populations declining because of wetland loss and habitat fragmentation, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. That status means conservation work and monitoring are ongoing, even as public safety remains a priority when people and snakes cross paths.
State officials encourage people who see a rattlesnake at Proud Lake or anywhere else in Michigan to report the sighting to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources so biologists can better track populations and guide management decisions. If the animal poses an immediate safety risk, contact park staff or law enforcement. For more on the species and local guidance, visit the Michigan DNR.
