Snakes are masters of camouflage. They can easily be overlooked for leaf litter, sticks and plant materials. This is why you are at greater risk of encountering a snake when going off-path and into thick vegetation. The human defensive skill when walking amid potentially dangerous wildlife is vision and whenever human sight is reduced, the risk increases.
This inability to hear in the same way that we do can be used to your advantage, as you can alert your fellow humans that you have come across a snake without any concern that your talking will aggravate it.
You tread on it. While this may seem unfair, it’s a case of the snake not knowing what has suddenly landed on it and you being surprised at its presence. Surprise is something you can control and prevent. The snake is cornered. A snake, like any animal, will react unkindly to feeling it has no escape from a potential predator (yes, you look like a predator to a snake, as you’re much larger and you’re moving). Some snakes are more fiercely defensive than others, so always presume a snake will fight its utmost to stay alive. You hassle the snake in any way, such as chasing it, throwing rocks at it, trying to pick it up, or worse still, trying to kill it. [1] X Research source
The snake curls itself up; in some snake species, this can be a sign it is getting ready to strike. The snake raises its head. When done in reaction to an encounter, it is a fairly good indicator that the snake is getting ready to strike. Striking distance of a snake is generally about half the snake’s body length but you should give the snake at least double that length of space between you and it. Moreover, this is dependent on the snake type, hence the need for learning more about the snakes in your walking area, before you go walking. [4] X Research source
What snakes are in your area? Are they venomous or non-venomous, or a mix of the two? Have you spent some time looking at images of the snakes in your area to enable you know the type of snake should you encounter one? What are the specific habits of the snakes in your local area? All this knowledge can help you to avoid them or keep safe should you encounter one. The risk of snake bite varies depending on where you are but, on the whole, it is statistically low. While the statistical likelihood doesn’t reduce the need for vigilance, it can help to put things in perspective.
If you cannot walk with others, always have a means for contacting people if an emergency happens. If there is no mobile reception, take a form of communication that will work. At the very least, let a park ranger or other suitable person know your movements and expected return time.
Boots that cover the ankles are a very good choice. Avoid any shoes with open toes; sandals and flip flops (jandals/thongs) offer no protection and do not make adequate vibrations when walking. Looser pants (trousers) are better than close-fitting ones. Since a snake’s bite instinctively clamps on, if it gets nothing more than pants, you may avoid a bite on your skin. Looser pants also allow for better airflow that cools you in warmer weather (the weather you’re more likely to encounter snakes in). The fabric is best when close-knit and strong. Thick socks are an extra layer of protection, provided you can stand them if it’s hot. Gaiters may be preferable if it’s too hot or your feet are too sweaty, although combining both gives added protection. If the snakes are known to strike higher, knee-high gaiters may be your best choice. Note! Do not rely on clothing alone, as it is just one part of your whole line of defensive actions. There is no guarantee a snake won’t bite through clothing, the clothing suggestions here are just a sensible precaution as part of the whole.
If you need to do anything that causes you to take your eyes off the path ahead, stop first, then do it. If you walk while trying to read a map, take photos, admire the scenery, fish out some snacks from your pack or drink water and you can’t keep looking at the path ahead, there is a risk of walking into a snake. Do not rely on the person in front to clear the path ahead. A snake can slither across the path after the person ahead has passed on by. Every walker needs to be vigilant. If you are walking with persons who cannot see or who cannot stay alert (children, visually impaired persons, etc. ), then you are wholly responsible for their safety too. By all means enable them to stay safe by talking to them about what to be concerned about and how to act with care but remain wholly responsible for looking out for their safety in the knowledge that they have limitations.
It can be helpful to have a walking stick or pole. These aren’t just a walking aid but can also be used to part grass or other vegetation if you need to walk through it, especially if it’s obscuring your pathway. Better that a snake bites the stick than you. Use it gently, as the best outcome is that no living being gets hurt. If climbing over a log or rock, stand on it first. Then look down on the other side where you weren’t able to see before ascending. If there is a snake resting there, you still have time to back down on the original side and walk a different way.
One example of a snake that relies on its camouflage over moving out of the way is the Australian death adder. It will often remain coiled up, relying on the leaf litter as camouflage. This is why you must not rely on vibration alone, but also use sight (look for coiled, round shapes in this instance), while also gently prodding through vegetation with the walking stick before heading across it. This is yet another reason why you need to be aware of what type of snakes are in the area and their typical habits.
A log can be tapped with the walking stick to create vibrations to encourage the snake to move on.
Look before grabbing onto tree branches. It can be helpful sometimes to hold onto a tree when climbing or descending a path, or just to take a rest. However, snakes can climb and sometimes a branch can contain a snake. Before you grab that branch, be sure to check it’s just a branch and not holding a snake as well. Take care when using rock ledges and other natural features to help you to climb or rest on. Check for snake presence first. If you are doing a rocky trail walk in an area known for snakes, consider wearing thick gloves and long sleeves to protect your hands and arms while grabbing onto rocks. Don’t pick up sticks unless you’re absolutely sure it’s a stick. People have mistaken snakes for sticks and have been bitten as a result.
Remember to step on the log or rock before checking the other side, in case the snake is resting on the side you cannot see.
If you are using the bush for urinating at night, always wear shoes and take light. [4] X Research source
If you couldn’t keep sleeping gear safely secured away or you’re just unsure if it was kept safely enough, shake it out before using it. It is better to have a snake drop out and slither off than to put your bare feet into a bag with a snake inside. [5] X Research source
Check boots before putting them on. Tip them upside down and give them a good shake. Do not put your hand inside; use a long stick if you need to prod inside the boot.
Do not leave rubbish or garbage around; it attracts mice and rats, which in turn attract snakes. Yet another great reason to keep your outdoors experience litter-free. [5] X Research source
Sometimes snakes like to go underneath cars to stay protected from the open air and still have contact with the warm asphalt. If you have parked somewhere that snakes are likely to be around, be aware of this possibility. Get into the car quickly and shut the door straight away; don’t stand next to the car for too long or lean on or lean your legs out of the car in case there is a snake frightened out of its slumber by your presence.
Yelling at a snake makes no difference, it cannot hear what you are saying. However, calmly warning your walking companions to slowly back off is a sensible use of your voice.
The striking distance for some snakes is less because they are bigger or more agile, such as the Western Taipan. The more distance between you and the snake, clearly the safer.
A snake has a short attention span, usually lasting less than a minute. Hence, once it has slithered away from you, it has forgotten about you and goes about its business elsewhere. It’s not harbouring thoughts of coming back to chase you.
If the snake is within strike range, you may be better off remaining completely motionless and letting it pass by. If you are between the snake and where it wants to go, it may wish to come past you as part of its escape strategy. If this does happen, stay absolutely still and let the snake slide on by. If it slides over your boots, keep very still and let it pass on by. Stay motionless until the snake passes. Never deliberately corner a snake. That’s asking for being bitten and reflects poor decision-making.
If there is enough space under the door for a snake to slide through, cover it with a strong rubber seal or weather stripping. This will also keep out mice, rats, dirt and dust, and the like. [13] X Research source
Wood stored for fires in winter should be kept well away from the house. It is best kept inside a secure shed that has no opening to outside; use a concrete floor as the base.
Snakes need water too. If you leave water out for animals, keep it well away from the house. If you have a pond, pool or other water feature, keep the grass low around it, to help you to see if a snake has come for a drink.
Do not compost food scraps in open heaps. This makes it easy for rats and mice to feed off and they’ll gather around. Use sticks to poke compost before picking it up with your hands. This applies to all garden piles, such as mulch and leaf heaps.
Only remove pets and fish tanks if this does not endanger you.
If you know there is a snake in the house but you don’t know where, vacate the whole house; remember to lock your doors if leaving the property, to avoid being burgled while seeking help or sitting it out at the neighbour’s. If it’s possible, put signs on the doors explaining that there is a snake inside, especially if family members cannot be reached but might return home before you get back.
