Guide to Surviving a Snake Encounter
Snakes,
just how creepy are they? In many cultures, snakes have been portrayed
as the nemeses of mankind, be it the wily serpent of Eden, the dark and
chaotic Apep of ancient Egypt or the World Snake, a tremendous
constrictor spanning the entirety of Earth’s girth from Norse mythology.
It is easy to understand why people fear snakes. They squirm and crawl,
they are smooth and oily, can swallow things far wider than they should
be capable of, and they move about without any limbs. It also helps
that many are actually dangerous to humans. What should you do in the
unfortunate case of a snake encounter to avoid getting bitten?
Every year, about 5.4 million
people are bitten by snakes, of which about half are bitten by a
venomous snake. Deaths from snake bite are relatively uncommon, at about
80,000-140,000 on a yearly basis, but almost three times as many people
are left with permanent damage to their body in the form of amputation,
permanent nerve damage and kidney failure. Most snake bites occur in
the tropics - Central and South America, Sub Saharan Africa, and South
and Southeast Asia, most happen during the summer, and the majority of
victims are young males who provoke the snake in some way.
Here are several things to consider when encountering a snake:
Most snakes want nothing to do with humans
The
diet of most medium-sized snakes consists of rodents and other small
animals. Because all snakes consume food by swallowing it whole, they
are rather limited in their choice of prey. Humans are far too large for
venomous snakes to eat, and many of them actively avoid
densely-populated areas. Venomous snakes that have adapted to life in
the vicinity of humans prey on vermin and leave humans alone when left
unprovoked. If you see a snake, a good rule of thumb is to leave it
alone and step away.
Identify the snake
Many
snakes pose no danger at all to humans, but ignorant people may still
attempt to kill them to avert a perceived threat. There is no foolproof
way of telling snakes apart, but there are some identifying attributes
which may help you recognize whether the snake you’re seeing is
dangerous:
Vipers
The
most common venomous snakes, vipers are also relatively easy to
identify. Most vipers have a bulky body, a broad head, and slit pupils.
Rattlesnakes, a species of viper endemic to the Americas, are even
easier to recognize, as they also have a distinctive rattle at the tip
of their tail which they use to scare away would-be predators.
Cobras
Cobras
are also very easy to identify, owing that to their famous hoods. Cobra
species can be found all over Africa and in South Asia. Spitting cobras
have less pronounced hoods and can spray venom as a defense mechanism
when threatened. Venom administered by spit is nonlethal but should
still be treated, especially in case of contact with the eyes.
Coral Snakes
Coral
snakes are the most venomous snakes in North America, and are also
harder to identify, as they share many attributes with non-venomous
milksnakes and kingsnakes, such as coloration, pattern, and shape.
Unlike vipers and cobras, they don’t have a distinct-looking head.
Luckily, coral snakes are also among the most reclusive, living far away
from humans. A coral snake would probably slither away when
encountered. There are some mnemonics that are supposed to help identify
coral snakes, but these are unreliable. If you see a ringed snake with
black and red coloration, just stay away and leave it alone.
Constrictors
Constrictor
snakes are not venomous, but a few species can pose a threat to humans.
Constrictors kill prey by wrapping their body around it and using their
powerful muscles to crush it, upon which they swallow it whole. The
largest of constrictors, such as anacondas and reticulated pythons
sometimes prey upon humans, but even those don’t typically target
adults. Some people keep large constrictors as pets, which could be a
bad idea, as there are several known cases of pet constrictors killing
their owners.
So, what should you do if you see a snake?
First,
remain calm. Make note of what the snake looks like, its coloration,
shape, and patterns. If the snake is several feet away, don’t move and
see how the snake reacts. Usually, a snake will look for an escape route
at this point. If the snake rises up, it’s threatened and may be
preparing for an attack. If the snake does not move away, slowly back
away.
If
you’re unlucky enough to step on or close to a snake, forgo caution and
quickly move away. Only stop once you’ve created sufficient distance
between you and the snake.
Do
not touch the snake, not even with a pole. Don’t try to kill or catch
it. If it bit you or someone nearby, do not attempt to seize it.
Remembering what the snake looked like should be enough to get you the
help you need.
When
hiking in grassy areas where snakes may hide, thick boots and long
trousers are a good idea and may offer some protection from a snake
bite. Avoid tall grass and be cognizant of your surroundings.
If
the snake is in or around your house, do not attempt to kill it and do
not remove it by yourself. Call a professional snake catcher.