By Gail Marsh
My husband collected snakes as a teen. Ugh! Fortunately, he abandoned this hobby before I met him! Snakes give me the willies! I’m not a fan of non-venomous snakes, but rattlesnakes, copperheads, and other dangerous serpents really frighten me.
Avoidance tips
Yes, I’ve heard the adage: “Snakes are more afraid of you than you are of them,” but I’m not fully convinced. I do my best to avoid crossing paths with any type of slithering reptile, venomous or not. Here are some snake tips to consider:
• Never try to handle, capture, or tease a snake.
• Avoid alcohol when in an area where snakes may be found. Drinking alcohol not only weakens inhibitions, but it can also lessen your coordination and lead to a mishap.
• When hiking, wear boots and long pants.
• Be aware of your surroundings—where you step and where you place your hands (e.g., gathering firewood).
What if I’m bitten?
If a snake bites you and you don’t know if it’s venomous, it’s best to have a doctor examine the bite and determine if treatment is necessary.
If you’re with a friend, ask them to take a quick photo of the snake to show to the doctor. If that’s not possible, try to remember what the snake looked like so that a professional can make a correct diagnosis.
Stay calm. (Well, as calm as possible.) Get medical treatment as soon as possible. This video shows what to do if a rattlesnake bites you. Its principles apply to most other snakebites likely in the U.S.
What about you?
Are you afraid of snakes? Tell us in the poll and then explain your response using the comments.
MORE POLLS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
- If there were a permanent moon base, would you spend a week there if invited?
- What would you fear stumbling upon most in the wild — a bear, rattlesnake or alligator?
- How many RVs have you owned in your life?
- Have you ever seen a UFO?
I absolutely hated snakes. Scared to death of the slithering things. I good snake has tire tracks over it.
I’m ok if I see them before they see me.
I’ve been struck at by 3 varieties of poisonous snakes but never bitten. The last time was a baby copperhead that sunk its fangs into my leather work gloves. The first time by a sidewinder when camping in the Mohave Desert as a young boy with our family. It just missed my leg.
I am not afraid of them. However, I do have a respect for them. We live on a 40 acre farm so they are a part of life. They do an excellent job of rodent control. We have at least 7 different types on our property with 3 being poisonous.
Aaron
Respect them. Avoid them. They avoid us.
We had a 4′ snake get inside our coach. Staying calm was not an option. We eventually pushed it out the driver’s window using brooms. The next night it came back and we got out the brooms again. Later I discovered I didn’t fully open one of the slides and there was a gap. We double check all slides now. We briefly considered selling the coach or lighting it on fire.
Ha! I read on here years ago where a guy said if there was any kind of a snake anywhere near his RV, he’d burn it to the ground. I still laugh about that every time I think about it.
My favourite snake story involves my daughter when she was a preschooler, at the Reptile museum in Drumheller Alberta. An employee came out with a 7-foot Boa Constrictor to show everyone, and then asked if anyone wanted to hold it. Next thing we knew, our daughter was wrapped in snake, and loving it. And we had forgotten our camera! PS – Her daughter now owns a Ball Python…
I’m okay with snakes.
They lack the running speed of a bear, the swimming speed of a shark and the pack mentality of the wolf. They’re not known for hunting humans and only strike if they feel threatened. They don’t chew through wiring or wreck your camp as they seek out the very same field mice you also seek riddance.
If you see one, give him space. He’s no threat unless you choose to be a threat.
I’m not afraid of snakes, but hate them. Kill them when I see them.
Didn’t used to be afraid, but got bit by a rattlesnake. 6 or 8 years ago. Thought I was still not afraid til last year, when we had about a half dozen or more copperheads hanging around the yard and house. I shot and killed them all, but they just frightened the hell out of me. PTSD I guess. Have only had to shoot one copperhead this year. Maybe they got the hint.
I have lived in the Mojave desert my entire life (except for my 3 year Army stint) and have never come close enough for a rattle snake to strike at me. I have a very healthy respect for them and will avoid them at all cost. However, we do have non-venomous snakes (Bull and Racers for the most part) and will allow them to have access to my yard at any time. Either will bite if surprised or agitated by your actions. I leave them alone and they leave me alone.
I can still hear my father saying, “ look before you step” while we were hiking to our favorite fishing creek. Even today I hear his voice while hiking any trail. As a rule I give snakes a wide path.
I have a healthy respect for snakes, growing up in a small Florida town surrounded by woods streams and creeks there was many encounters with snakes. Knowing which were poisonous and to be avoided was common knowledge but unexpected encounters were always scary.
There are many places near me where rattlesnakes exist (Upstate NY). I’m not fearful but have the utmost respect for them. Like stated in the video, they aren’t out to attack you but will if they feel threatened or are suddenly surprised with your presence. If you see or hear a snake, just stop and back away. 99% of the time that will avoid any confrontation with one.
I have a healthy respect for the venomous ones. I had the pleasure of explaining to a gal in a national park why snakes aren’t killed on sight, that they avoid us if possible. While explaining it the “offending” rattlesnake took off and was gone before she looked back down at where it had been.
I grew up around poisonous snakes and am not afraid, but also I’m not stupid enough to not closely watch my step and surroundings either.
If you’re bitten by a snake and make it to a doctor with few if any symptoms then the snake is not poisonous. You would immediately know if poisonous.
Had a kingsnake as a pet when I was a kid. Quiet, low maintenance and don’t smell.
I’ve been close to Rattlesnake, Water Moccasin and Pit Viper. Only eliminated the Viper after it show me its fangs, In my mind they looked 2in long they were only about 3/4in, this is in an area that had what we called the 2 step because that’s all you got it bitten.
Thank you for the question, RV Travel! Yes, near fear, but more leery. We owe much thanks to the non-venomous snakes around the farm for feeding on field mice and other rodents that can be problems. In the eight years that we have been back on the farm, I MAY have seen one venomous snake, a copperhead. But it was never seen well enough to properly identify. I have been told that rattlesnakes are around, just not on our farm. I can’t confirm that or explain why it might be true. We do not traipse through the woods in the summer, reserving that for the coldest months. Have a great day and safe travels!
I do not like any snake but I am not afraid of them. When in an area you know has snakes, especially rattlers, just be very careful……they will go on their merry way. And keep telling yourself ‘they are very beneficial’ because they eat bugs and especially the ticks!
last rattler that I encountered was unfortunate enough the be on the wrong end of a 20 gauge shotgun…it tried to strike and was stopped mid effort. I usually avoid the snakes but this one was aggressive.