Its best to stay away from any snake you see while out on the trail but knowing which ones pose a threat is key for keeping yourself safe. Be alert to potential snake encounters while hiking by keeping an eye out for signs of their presence. Hey, this is true even for sharks, so think of the timing of your outdoor excursions as the surf-and-turf law of safety in the natural world. So if you see one, back away slowly (so youre not a threat) and give it at least 6 feet of space. So you have a better chance of avoiding snakes by choosing places where there are a lot of hikers using the trails. Simply give it plenty of space and walk away as far as possible. Reading all this info on snake safety while hiking might have you feeling paranoid or even more scared. When wrapping tightly, make sure there are no gaps that would allow a finger to pass beneath the bandage. WebDepending on the type of snake, the signs and symptoms may include: A pair of puncture marks at the wound. snake Snakes love sunbathing. Remember, we share the wilderness with all sorts of wildlife, its their home after all. Use only soap and water to clean a snake bite wound. Rattlesnakes can strike around two-thirds of their total body length. How To Avoid Rattlesnakes While Hiking What to do if a snake chases you? The best method to keep the snakes at bay is to choose your campsite carefully. Snakes While Hiking Snakes However, what do you do if you are bitten by a snake? Clean the wound. The fewer things you have around the yard, the fewer places that the snakes have to hide. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Hissing is one of many defense mechanisms snakes use to protect themselves from predators. Increased salivation and sweating. Your email address will not be published. Yes, snakes can bite through hiking boots. a Rattlesnake Bite Through Leather Boots Allow space between you and the snake. Sometimes things happen and youre bitten. React The Right Way. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The key is respecting the wildlife you encounter. Get out there on the trails, its worth it! + Save to a List. Snakes An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Play dead and wait for the attack to end. Sit in a nearby stream if you start to feel overheated, she said. If you come across a snake on your trail, you should immediately move away. to Survive a Tiger Attack Avoid wild or stray animals. Wear anti-snake appropriate gear. Repellents, netting, long pants, and sleeved clothing are the best ways to protect yourself from insect bites. Low ankle socks are more fashionable, but a comfortable pair of high ankle socks will also protect your ankles from accidental snake bites when youre out hiking. When you use hiking poles, you may clear the bush to improve your visibility on the trail. Bring enough water and filters. So respect the wildlife wherever you are and you will most likely be more than fine while hiking. The Outbound Collective LA City Project partnered with Coleman and Paulina Dao to cook up incredible camping tacos. When faced with a predator, many snake species will flee, but if they coil up in an S shape, rattle, or writhe around, they are scared and are telling you to leave them alone! Take care not to block the flow of blood. Tips to Keep Yourself (and Your Dog) Safe From Snakes While Because snakes are ectotherms, they depend on external sources for heat. Redness and swelling around the bite. Wear bug spray repellent to ward off mosquitoes and Understanding these critters and being able to manage an encounter with one is an important way to mitigate human-wildlife conflict and to keep everyone involved safe. When the bear charges you, hold your ground and stay calm. Theres nothing like hiking in the great outdoors. Snakes attack when they feel threatened (as most wildlife does), so dont be a threat, just give it some space to get away. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures. How to protect yourself Just how you want to be left alone in peace at your own home, snakes dont want to be bothered either. I recommend the Peterson Field Guides to Reptiles and Amphibians - there is an eastern and western version for North America, and they fit right into your day pack. SNAKE To avoid attracting rodents, remove potential sources of food, water, and shelter such as garbage, dirty dishes, and debris. * Do not cut into a snake bite with a knife or razor. Copyright 2023 Tales of a Mountain Mama | Bamboo on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Wilderness First Aid for Outdoor Families, Labored breathing (in extreme cases, breathing may stop altogether), Numbness or tingling around your face and/or limbs. We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Piles of cans, scrap metal and other trash should be picked up. How To Prevent Snake Bites While Hiking - Happily Ever Hiker The tricky part with snakes, is they blend into the ground usually, so make sure youre keeping an eye out on the ground too. While they may be small, many can pack a big punch that can send you to the hospital, or worse. Avoid these areas while youre out and about, and keep these areas trimmed if you have a yard. The thicker the pants and boots, the better chance you have against getting a bite from a rattlesnake. Protect Yourself From Snake The thicker and stronger the material, the better. No matter how menacing they look, most snakes mean no harm. Wearing hiking boots and long pants offer an extra layer of protection from The closer you get, the more likely you are to suffer a bite. insect repellents. What To Do If You Get Bitten By Poisonous Snake While Hiking. This is most common in high water when you may feel a bite but assume it was something other than a snake. Check these reviews for signs of snakes in the area, and make sure to check the date the review was made. Bear spray is also effective against most other dangerous wild animals, and against people too. Instead remove any constricting clothing, watches, or jewelry in case of swelling. How to protect yourself from snakes WebThe Australian Snakebite Project (June 2017) shows that on average between 2005-2015, that two people a year die from being bitten by a snake. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we earn from qualifying purchases. Join us as we explore the side of Rocky Mountain National Park no one ever talks about with the help of Gerber Gears More Than Ready Collection. So release the fear and know what to do if you see a snake. Check your clothing and your body for ticks during and after your hike. The Camper's Guide to Snake Safety - Campendium Your best bet on or off the trail is to be mindful of where you put your hands and feet, as not all snakes make a warning sound. This means a snake with a length of three feet can strike two feet high. Web3. Snake gaiters, How To Protect Yourself From Snake Bites. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Dont panic. Their family is lucky enough to live in a ranger house in a state park and have lots of access to the outdoors year-round. Observe your surroundings. Moreover, when the sun is at its highest point in the sky. A good way of doing this is by singing songs loudly or talking with friends during hikes just dont forget about safety measures like wearing masks. Whether youll be traversing the desert or doing yardwork in your desert oasis, here are five things to know about rattlesnakes to ensure you stay safe. Swelling is common after a snake bite, so youll want to remove any jewelry, watches, bracelets, or tight clothes that might be causing the swelling to be restricted. The top of the guard should be positioned just below your knee, with the bottom resting on top of your shoe. WebStand Still. Dont even put an ice pack on the bite, as this may cause further tissue damage. Never go barefoot or wear sandals when walking in areas where you cannot clearly see where you are placing your feet. There are four types of venomous snakes in the U.S. Before you head out, research what kind of snakes you can expect in your area. Snakes will generally leave you alone if they are not provoked. When ascending steeper trail sections, lean on trekking poles to preserve energy. Its important to remember that snake defense when hiking is not just about avoiding or defending yourself against a potential attack. Colorado: 303-297-1192. To do so, follow the instructions outlined below: The first thing that comes to mind is probably screaming and running, but its crucial to maintain your temperament! If bitten by a venomous snake, remain calm and immediately seek assistance. When you buy through links on this site, we may earn a commission. google-site-verification: google4c1da16a9cb2eb68.html google-site-verification: google4c1da16a9cb2eb68.html top of page. Snakes usually like areas with plenty of cover, such as tall grasses or thick underbrush. You might think there arent poisonous snakes in Canada, but you would be wrong. It is important to identify snakes correctly in order to keep yourself safe while hiking. 3. Consequently, its best to hike when its a bit chilly. While snake attacks are not a super common occurrence, peace of mind is priceless; taking the time to hope for the best and prepare for the worst is a great attitude to have before hiking and doing anything else in life. Listen to mysterious rustles and be aware of movement in the brush. How to keep snakes away from the campsite? In addition, certain species like Coral Snakes tend to display unique banded patterning that helps set them apart from other similar looking reptiles. If you want to train your dog, you can give him food or a toy (such as a rubber snake) and tell him to leave it.. Your hike may be through great snake habitat, and the snakes you encounter could be venomous or non-venomous. While its not without its risks, hiking is generally worth the cost it presents because of the immense amount of benefits the sport offers. In Canada, there are around 35 species of snakes, of which 26 are native. Keep the bitten limb below the level of the heart. If you accidentally walk closer, your best bet is to back away slowly. Things happen and you get bitten every now and again. Once help arrives, keep still and avoid exerting energy as much as possible while waiting for medical attention every bit of movement will increase blood flow throughout your body which could speed up absorption of the venom into other areas of your body where it can cause more damage.