RACCOONS-With their masked eyes and adorable babies trailing behind, our raccoons can be too cute for visitors to ignore. In most parts of the country, raccoons rarely come out during the day, but here they've become accustomed to scavenging for food in dumpsters. Dye says if you discover one struggling to escape, don't reach in to help it out-those cute critters bite. "If it found its way in, it'll find its way out," he says.

Watch those squirrels, too. Dye preaches respect for any furry little animal that can open a nut with its mouth when humans need a mallet. "Some of our worst bites have come from squirrels," says Dye. He's even seen bites to the lips of visitors who tried to feed them potato chips from their mouths.

A squirrel bite will send you to the hospital for a tetanus shot, but if you get plugged by a raccoon, you'll need rabies shots, too, since it's usually impossible to locate the one that bit you.

Other tips for dealing with squirrels and raccoons: Don't leave ice chests open. Keep the chests and all food up and away from tents and sleeping areas. Dye says raccoons will rip apart a tent in search of food.

SNAKES-In Sarasota, we see mostly black racers, yellow rat snakes and garter snakes. All are harmless. The most prevalent venomous snake is the pygmy rattlesnake, so called because it seldom reaches beyond 20 inches; but we also have diamondback rattlers and cottonmouths. Dye stresses that if you've walked in the woods at all, you've passed many without even knowing it.

Bites are rare. At Myakka, most occur on the hand or fingers of people trying to catch or kill snakes. Avoiding trouble is as simple as watching where you put your feet. Don't cram your hand under logs or anywhere else that you can't see into first.

Another comforting note: "Snakes use venom to capture and kill prey," says Dye. "If a snake bites you in self-defense, it rarely injects venom."

If you are bitten, stay calm. Try to determine what kind of snake bit you and seek medical attention immediately. Do not wrap tourniquets around the wound. Dye says snake venom contains anticoagulants that allow for easier distribution in the victim. Wrapping something tight around an arm with a bite will isolate the venom and cause considerably more tissue damage.

Heed all these hints and you'll return home safe with a tan, all your digits intact and great memories to last a lifetime.

SIDE BOX

HERE'S HELP

Walk-in and emergency care.

Dr. Pamela Mumma, of Sarasota Family Medical Walk-In Clinic, says she probably sees more visitors with stingray bites than any other injury. Other common problems are sunburns and allergies exacerbated by red tides. The most unusual injury she treats? Dolphin bites. "People keep trying to feed the dolphins that feed beneath the Blackburn Point bridge near Venice," she says.

Visitors also get colds, stomach upsets and other illnesses they might suffer at home. If you need emergency or walk-in care during your visit, here's where to look:

Bon Secours-Venice Hospital

540 The Rialto, Venice

(941) 485-7711

Doctor's Hospital of Sarasota

5731 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota

(941) 342-1100

Med Plus Medical Group

2130 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

(941) 363-9474

Sarasota Memorial Hospital

1700 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

(941) 917-9000

Sarasota Medical Center (Walk-In)

4450 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

(941) 927-1234

Sarasota Family Medical Walk-In Clinic

6813 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

(941) 923-5861

St. Armands Medical Center

500 John Ringling Blvd., St. Armands

(941) 388-4408

The Circle Family Practice Walk-In

542 John Ringling Blvd., St. Armands

(941) 388-1108

Dr. Ted Meyer, Pediatrician

1666 Mound St., Sarasota

(941) 365-9369

Walk-in hour from 7:30-8:30 a.m. weekdays.