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Tips for avoiding snake bites when camping

One of the most dangerous creatures out in the woods is poisonous snakes. Even though they are elusive and tend to avoid humans, they can still be present in campsites and mostly in backcountry. If you plan to settle in a campground or trek off into the woods and set up in an impromptu area, you should always be aware of a potential encounter with snakes.

When you have found a location to set up your tent, assure that it is in a clearing and avoid rock piles or deep brush. Scan your location and pay close attention and make note of the possible area snakes might be present. Some hotspots for snakes would be thick bushes, rocky areas, and distinctive in campgrounds, woodpiles. Make sure that your gear is clear of any possibility of a snake slithering into your boots, clothes, or packsacks. Once your tent is pitched, cover the edge of you tent with earth or sand and pack it down in a way so that a snake cannot crawl under your tent while you are in it sleeping. Always keep your tent zipped up, even if you are not using it.

Snakes are a coldblooded creature, mostly roaming when it is hot outside, and during the cool days they are curled up under a warm log, rock or in a snuggly bush. During the cool days, if you are going to sit or settle down in an area where a snake might be, look around before sitting. Snakes will only attack moving objects, so once you have looked over you seating area and made sure no snake is nearby, you can enjoy your comfort. Take care when flipping over rocks, logs, or anything large enough for a snake to be snoozing under.

If you are in rattle snake territory and all of a sudden hear its rattle, don’t move until you know exactly where the snake is. Once you have spotted it you can avoid it staying out of its reach. If you have to back away from a snake, make sure your path behind you is clear so you do not fall or even back into another snake. While hiking on paths or in the bushes, always scan your pathway, even if some else has passed there ahead of you. If you come across a log or rock, don’t step over them step on them so that you can see what is on the other side, and only then you step down. If you have to walk through tall grass, carry a walking stick and sweep the grass in front of you before walking ahead.

Another hot spot for snakes to be curled up in are fire pits with rocks piled around them or even little holes in the ground around the pit. For this reason, once you have started a fire in a pit that has not been used for awhile, stand clear of it until it the fire has reach a temperature too hot for any animal to withstand. Snakes will usually crawl out of the fire pit before the fire burns them and most time will be a little agitated. Once your fire is roaring you can rest assure that you won’t be bothered by a snake while roasting your marshmallows. If you have been designated or have volunteer to be the wood gatherer, always wear long sleeves, pants, and if possible leather gloves. Be alert, you might encounter a snake in the bush or mostly in the woodpile. Avoid if possible, gathering wood in the dark.

Avoiding snake bites is just a matter of learning a bit about the snakes that you might encounter in the area you are camping. You won’t get bitten by a snake if you know what to look for. Always look before you step down; never reach into holes in the ground, trees, and bushes. And by all means, if you see a snake, leave it alone and enjoy its beauty for what it is. But if you find the snake is a nuisance, don’t try to shoo it away or catch it, that is a job for an expert (and even they are risking getting bitten).

Content Source: Tips for avoiding snake bites when camping - Bukisa.com