How to Avoid Poisonous Snakes

Most people fear snakes because of the unknown. Will it hurt you? Is it poisonous? What do you do if you're bitten? There are some easy steps to take to avoid poisonous snakes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Sleep in a cleared area when camping. Do not sleep near tall grass, brush, wood piles, large rocks or other snake habitats.
2. Watch where you place your hands and feet. Use a stick to poke around under rocks or brush if you are looking for something. Use caution and never put your hands in dark places. Don't place your feet in dark places either. Look down when walking through tall grassy areas, leaf-covered areas or other areas where snakes might be hiding. Watch where you step and put your hands.
3. Step on top of logs or fallen trees. When walking in the woods where snakes are prevalent watch yourself near fallen trees and similar objects. Step up on top of the tree, look onto the other side from a distance, and look for snakes. Do not jump over a log without looking first. Snakes could be hiding there.
4. Be careful handling snakes. Do not pick up a snake unless you know what you are doing and what kind of snake you are handling. Sever the head of a dead snake before picking it up. Snakes still have venom in them that can harm you even when they are dead.

Tips & Warnings

• Familiarize yourself with the kinds of poisonous snakes that live in your area and where they tend to reside.