However, if you are bitten by a venomous species, do not make a tourniquet- this can cause nerve damage to the limb from reducing blood flow. In general, you are not in danger from a nonvenomous snake bite- your greatest concern will be the secondary infection you could get from the bite (in which case you should thoroughly wash the area with soap and water, or use alcohol wipes and neosporin from your first aid kit). Try to remain calm, identify the species if possible, and plan your next move accordingly. However, what do you do if you are bitten by a snake? Don’t panic. What to do if you are bittenįortunately, there are far more nonvenomous than venomous species in the US. Moving around the snake, even if in the middle of the trail, is your best option. Fortunately, the venomous snake species in the United States very rarely pose fatal threats to humans, which means there is absolutely no need to harm a snake on the trail, venomous or not (according to the Center for Disease Control, of the 7-8,000 people in the US bitten by snakes, only 5 will die). The closer you get, the more likely you are to suffer a bite. That’s right- don’t touch the snake! Most snake bites occur when people try to move or kill a snake. Regardless of whether the animal is venomous or nonvenomous, you’ll want to treat it the same way: leave it alone. Second, if you can, determine the species of the snake (using that handy field guide). Responding to a snake on the trailĮven when you’ve done everything possible to prevent a snake encounter, there is still the possibility of bumping into one - after all, your hike is in their territory! If you see a snake, the first thing you want to do is to give the animal some space. If you cannot clearly see a ledge or are stepping into tall brush, take a moment to pause and look around before continuing onward. 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. Regardless of whether they huff, hiss, or rattle, the snake is always more scared of you than you are of it- remember, you are bigger, warmer, and smarter! 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! Some species will even play dead, like the hognose snake. Snakes may travel via ravines, riparian corridors, or trails in order to meet their resource needs. Depending on the species, you may be more likely to find snakes nestled in rocky crevices, in leaf litter or debris, on the edge of streams and creeks, or in tree canopies. This is why you’re likely to find a snake stretched across a trail in the early morning or evening - he or she is just gathering energy for the day! During the hottest part of the day, snakes seek shelter from the sun like we do, and you may find them resting under rocks and limbs. Because snakes are ectotherms, they depend on external sources for heat. While the obvious answer may be “anywhere,” knowing a little bit about snake ecology helps take the guesswork out of where you could potentially encounter an animal. Where are you likely to encounter a snake? Having a regionally appropriate field guide is more helpful than guessing what species your snake is! 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. Having a good field guide may also be helpful.
Prior to your adventure, check with your state or national park ranger or local biologist to find out what species you may encounter - relying on the internet to identify a species is generally not accurate. Contrary to popular belief, color and head shape are not reliable indicators of whether a snake is venomous. In the United States, venomous snake species include rattlesnakes, copperheads, water moccasins, and coral snakes. Your hike may be through great snake habitat, and the snakes you encounter could be venomous or non-venomous. Just like checking weather conditions beforehand or making sure we’ve packed enough water, knowing what wildlife you may encounter outdoors is an important step to being prepared. Here are a few guidelines to make your outdoor adventures snake-friendly. 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. Snakes are just one of many species that call the wild places we love home.
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