Run-ins with venomous snakes are an unfortunate reality for many hikers, campers, and nature lovers. In fact, there are about 8,000 venomous snake bites each year in the United States.
Pit Vipers in particular pose a serious threat throughout much of the United States, with the Copperhead accounting for nearly half of all venomous snake bites. The Cottonmouth and several species of rattlesnake including the Timber rattler, Eastern Diamondback, and Western Diamondback also contribute significantly as well.
So today, I’m going to run through some tips about how to protect yourself against venomous snake bites when venturing into areas known for their venomous snake populations.
Know the Habitats of Venomous Snakes
It’s important to know what types of snakes you might come across in a particular region. Copperheads for instance, have a very large demographic range and cover much of the eastern half of the United States into New York and even parts of New England. Check out the map below to get a better idea of their range.
Cottonmouths have a slightly smaller range, as they are more concentrated in the southeastern region of the United States from Texas all the way to the east coast. They can be found as far north as southern Illinois and North Carolina.
Rattlesnakes are fairly widespread throughout the U.S. There are several different species each with their own geographic range, but between the Eastern Diamondback, Western Diamondback, Timber, Mojave, and Prairie Rattlesnakes, these 5 species cover a majority of the U.S. and can arguably be found in all of the lower 48 states.
Study the Terrain While Hiking & Camping
When you’re out exploring nature, it’s important to make smart decisions, tread carefully, and always be on the lookout for snakes when you’re in the wilderness.
Stay on designated hiking trails and avoid walking through long grass and weeds where pit vipers may be hiding.
Don’t ever stick your hands or feet in places you can’t see. Avoid rock crevices, holes, hollow logs, or thick brush. It helps to use a walking stick or hiking poles to traverse terrain where snakes may be hiding.
Always look where you’re stepping, as you may not notice a snake camouflaged near your path. This is especially important when you’re stepping over objects like rocks or logs.
Copperheads blend in perfectly with dead leaves so always be alert when you are around leaf piles. They also remain still and silent when they are approached so you may not notice them until you’re too close.
Sometimes, slowing down in areas of less visibility will decrease the chances of you surprising a snake because it gives them more time to sense you and retreat.
Cottonmouths are the only venomous water snakes in North America (they also thrive on land) so be alert when you’re in or around bodies of water in their geographic range. Cottonmouth bites are rare but dangerous, and they are known to be very aggressive when they fell threatened.
Don’t forget to look up! Copperheads and Cottonmouths are both known to climb trees. So be careful when walking by low hanging branches.
Finally, when camping, always check your tent and sleeping bags before jumping inside!
Identifying Venomous Snakes
The most important rule if you come across a snake and aren’t sure what it is: STAY AWAY FROM IT! Furthermore, there are often many color and pattern variations even with in the same species of snake so they may not to be particularly easy to identify.
The Cottonmouth for instance, may not be the dark brown or black color that you would typically think of. They could be lighter and may or may not have bands running down their backs. They usually do have a distinctive white color in their mouth which they open as an intimidation tactic, but you shouldn’t stick around to check…
The Copperhead can typically be identified by their brownish red color and distinctive brown sideways hourglass patterns running down their backs, but there are several non-venomous snakes that mimic similar patterns to this as well.
Finally, rattlesnakes have a wide variety of color patterns depending on the species, but they can be identified by the signature rattle on the end of their tail.
If you can’t see identifying markings from a distance though, I wouldn’t suggest getting close enough to check. If you assume every snake is venomous and steer clear, you’ll be in good shape.
Know When Snakes are Active
April through October is considered “Snake Bite Season” in Florida and the southern states. This is when rattlesnakes are most active because of the warmer weather.
This is a fairly consistent range for pit vipers in general. During winter months in colder climates, they usually head for their dens where they significantly slow their metabolism and activity, making them less of a threat. In warmer climates though, pit vipers can be active all winter long.
Cottonmouths and Copperheads are preferentially nocturnal, especially during the warmer summer months when it’s too hot for them during the day. They may be more active during the day in the spring and fall when it’s a little cooler.
Rattlesnakes have a similar activity pattern, avoiding the heat of the day in hot climates like the desert. In other settings though like woodlands, they are frequently active all day long. Basically, any time of day is fair game for venomous snakes so it’s important to stay vigilant.
Choose the Right Attire
When pit vipers strike, they typically strike at the ankle level. The best thing you can do to prevent a snake bite is to wear sturdy leather hiking boots that cover your ankles. Even the inch long fangs of an Eastern Diamondback will have trouble penetrating thick leather hiking boots. They will have no problem inflicting a bite through other clothing, shoes and jeans though.
if You Receive a Venomous Snake Bite…
If the unfortunate situation arises where you are bitten by a venomous snake, it’s important to stay calm. Panicking will raise your heart rate and make the venom circulate quicker.
You should call 911 and seek medical attention ASAP! The sooner you get treatment, the better the chances of a good outcome.
Keep the bitten limb below the level of the heart. Raising it will allow the venom to circulate quicker.
DON’T apply ice or a tourniquet. Pit viper venom is hemotoxic and causes tissue necrosis in the affected area. Applying a tourniquet or ice to the bitten limb could worsen the hemotoxic effects and hasten necrosis, increasing the chances of losing the limb.
DON’T attempt to suck out the venom. This technique is ineffective and could introduce further bacteria to the wound. You could also get venom in your mouth which can’t be good…can it?
DON’T attempt to cut or “bleed” the wound. Like the sucking method, this could introduce more bacteria and pathogens to the wound.
Just wrap the bite wound loosely with clean, sterile bandages and seek medical attention ASAP!
(Recommendations via Healthline)
Conclusion
Venomous snakes can pose a serious threat to people and pets, and should be treated with the respect that they deserve. A venomous snake bite can quickly result in death or loss of limbs if medical attention isn’t sought immediately. This article isn’t meant to deter you from getting out into the wilderness, but instead, it’s meant to help prepare you in case you come across a venomous snake.
If you have any questions, comments, or stories regarding venomous snake encounters, we’d love to hear them. We might even include them in a podcast episode! So make sure to reach out in the comments below.
Stay Safe & Stay Alive!
Cody
The Wild Bites Back