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How to Avoid Snake Bites

By: C.M.Shorter

Tips on How to Avoid Snake Bites

Exercise caution when exploring - avoid putting your hands into dark places such as rock crevices, heavy brush or hollow logs without first investigating thoroughly. CLICK HERE TO SEE ANIMAL WEBCAMS
How to Avoid Snake Bites

Be sure to wear proper foot gear - hiking or heavy walking shoes - do not go barefooted or wear sandals to go exploring outdoors. Exercise care around fallen trees and when in heavy brush - look before you step!!

Do not place your sleeping bag(s) next to brush, tall grass, large boulders or trees where snakes are known to live and nest. Place your camp site and tents in a cleared area and use mosquito netting tucked well under the bag to provide a barrier.

Do not try to pick up snakes or handle them unless you have formal training and are able to handle them efficiently. Most experts advise against trying to handle even a freshly killed snakes as their nervous system may be still active and they can still deliver a bite!

Poisonous Versus Nonpoisonous Snakes

No single characteristic distinguishes a poisonous snake from a harmless one except the presence of poison fangs and glands. Only in dead specimens can you determine the presence of these fangs and glands without danger.

Wilderness Survival and Education

We here at TigerHomes encourage you to become involved - get out and explore the wonders of nature. Nature has provided us with beautiful scenery filled with a simply remarkable array of creatures that share this earth with us everyday. Education is the key to understanding, to preserving and to enjoying the marvels that surround us.

It is important to be able to recognize various species of snakes and become familiar with their habits and habitats on your wilderness journey. Nearly ALL snakes will avoid man, if possible. The danger of being bitten by a poisonous snake is very small compared to the hazards of malaria, cholera, dysentery or other diseases. There are however snakes known to aggressively attack man such as the King Cobra of Southeast Asia, the Bushmaster and Tropical Rattlesnake of South America and the famous Mamba of Africa but even these snakes do only occasionally. Most snakes bites results as a chance encounter very unexpectedly. Most will "get out of the way" given the chance unless aggravated intentionally. It is important to be aware of your surroundings and familiarize yourself with the snakes and animals that inhabit the area you are exploring. While snake "attacks" are rare they most certainly can be deadly.

Snakes are widely distributed throughout the world and are found in all tropical, sub-tropical and most temperate regions. Snakes use their venomous strikes to secure food and they also use these same venomous strikes for self-defense. Snake-bite accidents occur when you step on them, walk too close, agitate or threaten one - even if unintentionally.

See also:
How to Avoid Snake Bites | Poisonous Snake Bites Effects | Snake Venom | Snake Fangs