For Goodness Snakes

For Goodness Snakes by Gary Benton
article copyright

Snakes. That is a word spoken when I was young that was right up there with the boogieman. I was especially scared of the name of one local snake, the Copperhead. Over the years I have learned that snakes do not really live up to the terrible reputation they have acquired. I have also discovered that most will avoid you, if they have a choice. Yep, I know all the old stories of snakes that catch their tails in their mouths and roll, I heard about the snakes that “spit” at you (there is one of these, a cobra, in other parts of the world), snakes that fall apart when you strike them, and snakes that chase you. Well, they may be out there, but I have not seen them in my forty plus years of meandering through the woods. But, I learned a few things on a recent camping trip, on the Little Piney River in Missouri that can help make your survival situation or camping trip safer.

Wally and I had taken four teenage boys on a combination fishing and camping trip. The evening was warm, but we were all huddled up around the campfire as Wally started talking about snakes. Immediately he had the boy’s attention. There is something about the subject of snakes that always seems to grab attention. Not a word was spoken as Wally told us about a creature that is hated by some and fear by most.

“There are about 2400 different types of snakes in the world. And, you might be interested to know that only a few, near 200, are actually dangerous to man. That means that less than 10 percent of the snakes in the world are harmful. But, people are usually very fast, too fast in my opinion, to kill a snake because they think it is dangerous.

“I know about a the types of poisonous snakes in United States. And they all, but one, belong to a group called pit vipers (The other group is called short fanged snakes, or Elapidae, and they are coral snakes). Now, some folks call pit vipers long fanged snakes, or Crotalidae. The Copperhead group, Rattlesnake group, and the Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin) are all pit vipers.

Of all the snakes in the United States, I am concerned about these three, because we have all three of them in this area. Remember, though, snakes are to be respected, not feared. And, regardless of the type of snake, or its group, most will avoid man if given half a chance.”

“So, what do I know about snakes?” Wally asked with a crooked grin, and then continued speaking. Actually I don’t know very much, but I have never been bitten and that makes me an expert in my mind. Snakes are usually inactive during really hot weather and during the cold season. During the winter they actually hibernate, or sleep, kinda. Keep in mind now that a snake will move to the shade during the hot part of the day and move into the sun during the cooler part of the day. So, where do these snakes live?

Snakes like to stay around stacked firewood (all the boys turned their heads toward our wood pile for the fire), under and around old lumber and junk piles, along stream and pond banks, under rocks or logs, and in or around old worn out buildings. They may even be in holes or on ledges during the day. Well now that you know just a little about snakes, what about a snake bite? How dangerous is it?

Statistics show that less than one half of one percent of people bitten by a poisonous snake will die from the bite, even if left untreated. Or, that was what the Army told me when I went through military training. I’ll tell you how to treat snakebite in a minute. Why wait to tell you? Because snakebite is very unlikely if you use common sense when you are outdoors.

First, dress for the outdoors. Wear high top boots, heavy pants (like jeans or heavy military surplus fatigues), a shirt, hat, and wear gloves when you pick up wood, or when you have to place your hands in places that could be a living room for a snake. Also, if you know there are a lot of snakes where you will be, wear snake chaps. You can purchase them at many stores and they can make your trip less stressful.

Second, make noise as you move. When moving through grasses or weeds make as much noise as you can. This will alert the snake and it will know you are coming. Stay on trails as much as possible and keep the kids close by. Be very cautious when you step over logs or large rocks. Notice I said cautious, not paranoid. Snakes hear by vibrations and the more noise you make the more vibrations that are in the air, so warn them you are coming. Usually, with kids around noise is not a problem. Also, snakes smell you by using their tongues. That is one reason a snakes tongue is always flickering in and out. When they smell prey with their tongues they go after dinner.

Pages: 1 2