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.

A milksnake, similar in appearance to the coral snake, but non-venomous

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.

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Snake Bite- What To Do Or Not To Do

Treatment: First Aid

If you’ve been bitten by a snake, get medical help right away. To help someone with a snakebite:

• Take off all jewelry and tight clothing to avoid problems with swelling.
• Keep the area of the bite below the heart to keep venom from spreading.
• Keep the person as still as possible to keep venom from spreading.
• Cover the bite loosely with a clean, dry bandage.
• Help the person stay calm to prevent shock.

What Not to Do

• Don’t try to pick up or kill the snake. Even dead snakes have been known to bite.
• Don’t tightly wrap the bite area. Use only a loose bandage.
• Don’t cut across the area of the bite or try to suck the venom out.
• Don’t drink alcohol or anything with caffeine. They make your body take in the venom faster.
• Don’t use any ointments, chemicals, heat, cold, or ice.
• Don’t take aspirin -- it can make bleeding worse.

Treatment: Antivenom

This is the only way to treat venomous snakebites. It’s best to get antivenom within 4 hours of the bite, but it can still help if you get it within 24 hours. You get it through an IV -- the medicine goes into a vein through a needle. It drips in slowly to make sure you don’t have a reaction. 

Which Are Most Dangerous?

Rattlesnakes are the kind most likely to bite you in the North America., and almost all the deaths reported are from them. There are a lot of rattlesnakes, and they have a strong venom. The eastern diamondback rattlesnake's venom is the most toxic. Copperheads cause the second most bites and have a weak venom. Cottonmouths are next as far as number of bites, and they have a medium-strong venom. Coral snake bites are rare, but their venom is deadly.

Pit Vipers

Rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths are in this family. They have:

• A pit between the eye and nose on each side of the head
• Long, hollow fangs that fold back into their mouths
• Narrow, oval-shaped pupils in their eyes, like cats
• Triangle-shaped heads

• Bite Symptoms

  These depend on your age and body size, as well as the type of snake, where you got bit, how many bites there were, and how much venom went in. Signs of pit viper bites include:
  
• Fang puncture marks -- typically two very clear marks, maybe along with scratches or marks from smaller teeth
• Bruising
• Serious pain
• Oozing from the bite mark
• Swelling within 5 minutes
• Throwing up
• Weakness

• Pit Viper Venom

  This isn’t deadly right away unless it happens to go directly into a vein. But it will start to break down tissue and blood vessels, and that can lead to fluid buildup, bleeding inside your body, and serious problems like kidney failure. 
  
  Rattlesnakes

  There are many different kinds of these across the mountains, prairies, deserts, and beaches of the U.S. They’re also found in Mexico and a few pockets of Canada. They can have different  colors and markings, which can include ovals, diamonds, or rings. Their most obvious feature is the rattle sound they make by shaking their tail -- a warning to other creatures to stay away.
  
  Cottonmouths
  Also called water moccasins, these snakes live in and around ponds, marshes, rivers, and other waterways in the southeastern U.S. They’re dark in color, from dark tan to almost totally black, and they have dark bands that may be hard to see. Their mouths have a white, cottony lining, which is how they got their name.

• Coral Snake Bite Symptoms

  These bites may not leave much of a mark or cause any swelling, and you may not feel any pain. You might not have any symptoms for many hours. When they do show up, they can include:
  
• Anxiety
• Blurred or double vision
• General feeling of sickness
• A lot more saliva than usual
• Nausea, throwing up, and stomach pain
• Sleepiness
• Slurred speech
• Sweating 
• Coral Snake Venom Venom from coral snakes attacks tissue in your nervous system. Your muscles may get weak, and eventually you may not be able to move them. It can also paralyze the muscles that control your heart and lungs. If it’s not treated in time, one of these bites can be deadly.
  
  Why Snakes Bite
  Usually, they only attack when it’s dinnertime or when they need to defend themselves. They’re typically more interested in getting away from people than attacking them. The danger is when the snake is startled or threatened. Venomous snakes can control how much venom they give you. Sometimes, they bite but don’t put out any venom at all.
  

• How to Prevent Snakebites

  You can do things to try to avoid them:
  
• Wear shoes outside.
• Don’t camp near swamps, streams, or other places snakes live.
• Don’t stick your hands into places you can’t see, like in between rocks.
• If you see a snake, slowly back away.
• Keep the grass around your house cut low.
• Never try to catch or pick up a snake.
• Keep piles of wood, rocks, or other debris away from your house -- snakes, and the animals they eat, can hide there.    
  

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