Snake Awareness While Hiking in the Fall
Snake Aware
Shriek! Followed by a quick jump as I nearly stepped on a Copperhead snake during a recent hike on the Yahoo Arch trail! Staying snake-aware is crucial throughout the hiking season and even more so during the fall. After all, we are visiting their home!
My near brush with almost certain death, made me wonder…Self what would I do if I were viciously attacked by a snake? Hmm! Good question self. I set out on a mission this week to learn what steps I should take if I were attacked by a snake.
How many times have you heard, the animals are more afraid of you than you are of them? I wasn’t hanging out to figure out what the snake was feeling. My heart was racing and I was filled with adrenaline. Imagine if I was bitten? WOW!
For the record, I know I would not die from a copperhead bite. It would be painful, but I’d get help and live to write this post.
Let’s jump into the details of how you can remain snake-aware!
How Many People Are Bitten by Snakes in the US Each Year?
According to the CDC, about 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten each year by venomous snakes. Only 5 people died from those bites!
- Up to 44% of people bitten by Rattlesnakes have lasting injuries
- More people would die if they did not seek medical care. If you are bitten get care ASAP!!!
Are Snakes More Active in the Fall?
Snakes are definitely more active during the fall. Why? Well, if you or I were cold-bolded and going to hibernate for months we’d probably live it up in the months we had before a long nap, right?
During the Fall Season, the weather in much of the United States is just about perfect! Warm during the day, minimal rain, and cool in the night. I love Fall! Anyway, snakes being cold-blooded are wise and preparing for the upcoming winter. Snake preparation includes making sure they are well-fed in advance. And what better food than a giant, tasty human walking by, right? Just kidding!
Some snakes mate during the Fall Season, so they are actively looking for the perfect partner. I mean you want your snake babies to have perfect diamond-shaped heads if you’re in the pit viper snake family. Right?
Snakes likely appear more active because, in the Fall Season, people are out in the woods more, exploring, checking out the leaves, and enjoying some relaxation before the Winter Season. So, we encounter snakes more frequently.
Where Might Hikers Encounter Snakes?
Keeping our hiking adventures snake-safe starts with understanding where snakes like to hang out. Remember snakes aren’t really looking for company and when we’re hiking we’re looking to avoid snakes. It’s like a match made in Kentucky heaven!
Snakes often hang out in a couple of common places:
- Sun-baked rocks
- Under the camouflage of leaves or grass
- Wood piles or stick piles
So be mindful when hiking in these areas and use good judgment when you come across these areas.
How do Snakes Usually Behave?
Snakes are generally elusive animals and prefer to avoid confrontations. That makes two of us! Like all animals, snakes have seasons for their behavior, especially in areas where winter is cold! Some behaviors include:
- Hunting and Feeding Behavior: Snakes have varied hunting strategies depending on their species. While some actively pursue their prey, others might lie in ambush, waiting patiently for prey to come near. They use their keen senses of smell and vibration detection to locate prey.
- Defensive Behavior: When threatened, snakes exhibit various defensive behaviors to protect themselves. This might include hissing, puffing up their bodies to appear larger, rattling their tails (in the case of rattlesnakes), or even playing dead to deter potential predators.
- Shedding Skin (Ecdysis): Snakes regularly shed their skin as they grow. This process is known as ecdysis. During this time, they might seek out hidden or safe places as their vision becomes temporarily impaired due to the old skin covering their eyes.
- Mating Behavior: During the mating season, male snakes might engage in combat with other males to establish dominance and secure mating rights with a female. They may also perform specific courtship behaviors to attract a mate.
- Hibernation (Brumation): In regions with cold winters, snakes undergo a hibernation-like state known as brumation. During this period, they find a safe and sheltered location, like underground burrows, where they remain inactive, conserving energy until the weather warms up.
How to Identify Venomous Snakes from Non-Venomous Snakes?
In Kentucky, where we live and explore most often, there are over 30 types of snakes. Some (worm snakes) are as small as 7 inches while others (rat snakes) are 6 feet or longer! In Kentucky only 4 types of snakes are venomous.
- Copperhead
- Cottonmouth
- Timber Rattlesnake
- Pigmay Rattlesnake
Kentucky’s four venomous snakes are in the pit viper family and have small openings on the sides of their faces “pits” used to sense warm-blooded prey. Their eyes are vertical as opposed to round. These snakes have diamond-shaped heads with the back wider than the front. This is not always a tell-tale sign.
Safety Tips While Hiking and Exploring in the Woods
Remaining snake aware is part of maintaining a safety-first mindset is crucial for hikers when venturing into the woods. This is true regardless of whether snakes are in the area or not. Having a basic understanding of the environment you are exploring, sharing details of your planned adventures before heading out is smart, and making sure you have the proper gear for the trail is critical to having a fun and safe day on the trail!
7 Safety Tips For Hikers to Stay Snake-Aware
- Research Local Snake Species: Before heading out, research the types of snakes that are common in the area where you plan to hike. For instance, the Pigmay Rattlesnake is found in a very small section of southwestern Kentucky. Same for the Cottonmouth. It’s not in the areas we explore often!
- Wear Proper Footwear and Clothing: Equip yourself with sturdy boots and long pants to reduce the risk of snake bites. These provide a physical barrier between you and potential snake bites. Snake gaiters may be useful as well depending on the types of snakes in your area.
- Stick to Clear, Well-Trodden Paths: Avoid going off the beaten path. Sticking to clear and well-used trails reduces the chances of encountering snakes hiding in grassy or bushy areas. If you see a snake, slowly back away from it!
- Use a Hiking Stick: A hiking stick can be used to probe areas before stepping, giving snakes a signal of your approach and possibly encouraging them to move away.
- Be Vigilant in Snake-Prone Areas: When in areas known for snake activity, be extra vigilant. Watch your step and be cautious when stepping over logs or rocks where snakes might be hiding.Pro-Tip: We like to step on the log and then to the ground. This way we can see where we are stepping!
- Respect Snake Space: If you encounter a snake, maintain a safe distance. Do not attempt to provoke or handle the snake, as this increases the risk of a bite.Fun Fact: Some snakes can strike at lengths up to 2/3 of their body length. So a 6-foot snake may be able to reach as much as 4 feet!!
- Camping Caution: When setting up camp, carefully inspect the area to ensure it is free of snakes. Be cautious when collecting firewood or venturing out at night.
How do I Know if I’ve Been Bitten by a Snake?
It seems like we’d know immediately if we were bitten by a snake, right? Maybe and maybe not. It may feel like an insect bite. Only later do symptoms begin to kick in. Some symptoms may include:
- A pair of puncture wounds
- Redness and swelling around the bite
- Severe pain at the site of the bite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Labored breathing (in extreme cases, breathing may stop altogether)
- Disturbed vision
- Increased salivation and sweating
- Numbness or tingling around your face and/or limbs
What do I do In Case of a Snake Bite?
Like our recent hike, we were being snake aware while walking through the woods minding our business when Mr. Copperhead scooted across the trail. So, sometimes with all the awareness of snakes and our environment, we startle a snake and end up on the receiving end of a bite. If you receive a snake bite here are several tips.
7 Tips to Prevent Snake Bites (from the CDC)
- Stay Calm and Composed: Keeping calm is paramount. It helps slow down the spread of venom through your bloodstream. Try to minimize panic and unnecessary movement.
- Call Emergency Services: Immediately call the emergency services in your region to ensure that medical assistance is on its way. If you are with others, ask someone to make the call so that you can focus on the next steps.
- Keep the Affected Area Immobilized: Immobilize the bitten limb, preferably positioning it at or slightly above heart level to reduce swelling. Avoid actions that might increase venom circulation, such as attempting to suck out the venom or applying a tourniquet.
- Remove Restrictive Clothing and Jewelry: To accommodate potential swelling, remove any restrictive clothing, jewelry, or accessories near the bite site, which will help prevent further complications due to restricted blood flow.
- Clean the Wound Gently: While waiting for help, clean the wound gently with soap and water if available, but avoid flushing the wound extensively or using any chemicals on it.
- Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine: Refrain from consuming alcohol or caffeine, as these substances can exacerbate the effects of venom, speeding up its spread in your system.
- Identify the Snake (if possible): Without putting yourself at further risk, try to remember the color, shape, and any distinctive features of the snake to provide a description to the medical personnel, assisting them in determining the appropriate treatment.
What Benefits Do Snakes Provide?
Despite their “bad reputation” snakes do a lot of good. Mainly, snakes get rid of many unwanted pests. Who wants mice, rats, bugs, spiders, or other potentially harmful creatures around? Snakes don’t mind doing the dirty work. To minimize snakes in your yard, try not to attract unwanted pests by minimizing wood piles, keeping the grass mowed short, and your yard from taking on the appearance of a junkyard!
Additional Resources to Stay Snake Aware
Check out your local state’s fish and wildlife resources. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife
