Hiking is a popular outdoor activity that allows people to enjoy nature and get exercise. However, one risk hikers face is encountering snakes, which can be frightening and even dangerous. Snakes tend to live in rocky areas and dense brush that hikers often traverse. While most snakes will avoid humans, accidental encounters do occur, so hikers should be prepared. This article will examine how hikers can prevent snakebites and respond appropriately if they encounter a snake on the trail.
How common are snake encounters for hikers?
Snake encounters while hiking are relatively uncommon. Snakes are not inherently aggressive toward humans and will usually slither away when they sense vibrations from approaching hikers. However, there are a few circumstances where hikers may be more likely to come across snakes:
- During spring and early summer when snakes emerge from brumation and are more active.
- In areas with dense brush and logs/rocks that provide cover.
- When stepping over or around boulders and ledges.
- Near water sources where snakes hunt for prey.
- During warm weather when snakes bask in sunlight.
Overall, hiking during cooler months, staying alert on the trail, and avoiding reaching into hidden areas minimizes the chances of accidentally encountering a snake.
What types of venomous snakes do hikers need to watch out for?
While the majority of snakes in the wild are harmless, there are a few venomous snake species in the United States that hikers should learn how to identify and avoid:
Rattlesnakes
Rattlesnakes are perhaps the most infamous venomous snake that hikers may encounter. There are over 30 rattlesnake species in the U.S., with the most common being prairie, western diamondback, and timber/canebrake rattlesnakes. They live in prairies, deserts, and rocky hillsides. Rattlesnakes can be identified by their distinctive rattle at the end of the tail that vibrates as a warning sign.
Coral snakes
Coral snakes have highly potent venom and are found in the southern U.S. from North Carolina to Texas. They have distinctive red, yellow, and black colored banding. Their venom works on the nervous system to paralyze prey but is not produced quickly, so coral snakes must hang on to deliver a working dose.
Copperheads
Copperheads are located throughout the eastern and central U.S. They have an hourglass pattern with a coppery-brown head. They like to camouflage in leaf litter and stay still to ambush small rodents and frogs. Their venom is hemotoxic, destroying tissue and blood cells.
Cottonmouths
Also called water moccasins, cottonmouths live in wetlands across the southern U.S. They have a distinctive white lining inside their mouth that they display as a warning sign. They are semi-aquatic, so hikers may encounter them near streams, swamps, and lakes. The venom contains hemotoxins that break down blood cells.
Being able to visually identify these venomous snakes by sight helps hikers remain vigilant when in areas these species inhabit. Avoiding contact is the best prevention.
What preventative steps can hikers take to avoid snakebites?
While encounters are uncommon, hikers should still take precautions to prevent snakebites by following these tips:
- Wear long pants and high boots/shoes to protect ankles and legs.
- Avoid reaching hands into hidden crevices between rocks or dense brush.
- Use trekking poles to probe bushes and ground before stepping over logs.
- Stay on designated trails and avoid venturing into high grass or dense brush.
- Make noise such as clapping, singing, or talking to alert snakes of your presence.
- Avoid sitting directly on the ground or propping arms/legs up on rocks.
- Be extra cautious around water sources or wetlands.
- Keep dogs leashed since they may harass snakes and get bitten.
- Hike during cooler parts of the day when snakes are less active.
Following these simple precautions goes a long way in preventing snakebite incidents. Staying alert, wearing protective clothing, and giving snakes space allows both hikers and snakes to comfortably share the wilderness.
What first aid steps should be taken for a snakebite?
If preventative measures fail and a hiker is bitten by a venomous snake, prompt first aid can help minimize tissue damage and save a life. Here are the recommended steps:
- Remain calm – Panic increases heart rate and circulation, speeding venom through the body.
- Immobilize the bitten limb – Splinting and wrapping the limb prevents lymph nodes from draining venom.
- Remove jewelry/watches – This prevents swelling from cutting off circulation.
- Position limb level with or below heart – This uses gravity to slow venom flow to heart.
- Clean wound – Gently wipe away venom but don’t flush as this spreads venom.
- Apply cool compress – This constricts blood flow and delays venom absorption.
- Monitor vital signs – Watch for shock, fainting, or pulse changes.
- Seek medical help ASAP – Antivenom can prevent severe venom damage.
Things to avoid include cutting into the wound, applying a tourniquet, applying heat, or attempting to suck out the venom. Prompt medical treatment with antivenom provides the best chance for recovery.
Should hikers try to capture or kill a snake after being bitten?
It is not advisable for hikers to try capturing or killing a snake after being bitten. The top priority is immediately treating and immobilizing the bite wound and safely exiting the trail to seek medical care.
Trying to capture the snake is dangerous as this could result in repeated bites or bites to other hikers. Most venomous snakebites come from people trying to handle or kill snakes. It’s also not necessary to bring the snake for identification as doctors can determine the type of antivenom needed from symptoms and venom tests.
Unless the snake is actively attacking and needs to be stopped for safety, the best course of action is to leave it alone and focus efforts on first aid and evacuation from the trail. Proper identification and treatment can come later at the hospital.
When is snakebite venom most potent?
Venom potency depends on multiple factors:
- Type of snake – Rattlesnakes, coral snakes, and cottonmouths have highly potent venom.
- Age of snake – Mature snakes control venom injection better than juveniles.
- Season – Venom potency peaks in spring and declines over summer.
- Time since last bite – Snakes replenish venom so it’s less toxic right after biting.
- Location of bite – Bites closer to head inject more venom than on extremities.
- Health of snake – Stressed, injured, or sick snakes may inject larger venom doses.
In general, snake venom is often most potent in the springtime after winter brumation when snakes are hungry and at their healthiest. However, all snakebites should be treated as medical emergencies regardless of these factors.
Do snake venom detection kits reliably indicate poisonous bites?
Snake venom detection kits are available to help identify if a bite contains poisonous venom. However, research shows these kits are not always accurate or reliable.
One study tested four common commercial snake venom detection kits on venom samples from 32 snake species. The kits failed to detect venom at least 20-30% of the time, giving false negative results (1).
Reasons venom detection kits are unreliable include:
- Tests look for protein components that denature quickly.
- Small fang punctures may not collect enough venom.
- Kits go out-of-date and degrade over time.
- Proper sample collection technique is difficult.
Due to unreliable results, snake venom detection kits should not be solely relied upon to rule out a venomous bite. Anyone bitten by a snake should seek immediate medical treatment whether or not the kit indicates venom, especially if bite symptoms develop. Getting antivenom in time is crucial, so doctors recommend not wasting time using a snake venom detection kit in the field.
Do home remedies like snake bite kits help extract venom?
Some hikers carry commercial snake bite kits that contain suction cups or scalpels to try extracting snake venom from bites. However, doctors strongly advise against using these kits and attempting to remove venom.
Cutting around the bite site and attempting to suck out venom is not shown to be effective and may actually increase tissue damage and spread venom (2). Venom diffuses into the lymphatic system within minutes, so trying to physically extract it at the bite site after time has lapsed is futile.
Applying a tight constricting band is also not recommended as this cuts off blood flow and can lead to loss of limbs. The best way to treat a venomous snakebite is to stay calm, immobilize the area, and get to a hospital quickly for antivenom treatment.
Will a bite from a young snake have less venom than an adult?
It is a common myth that juvenile venomous snakes cannot control venom injection and are more dangerous than adult snakes. In reality, both young and mature snakes are capable of delivering potent bites:
- Even newborn venomous snakes have fully functioning venom glands and fangs, making them capable of envenomating.
- Younger snakes tend to release more venom in defensive bites compared to food bites.
- The volume of venom may be less than adults, but toxicity is similar.
- Juveniles may lack venom control, resulting in rapid multiple bites.
So while total venom volume may be less in a younger snake, a defensive bite can still inject a dangerous dose. Plus, young snakes are harder to spot and more likely to feel threatened, potentially increasing bite risk. Any snakebite, juvenile or adult, should receive prompt medical treatment. Assuming a young snake is less dangerous is risky.
Do rattlesnake bites leave identifiable fang marks?
Identifying a rattlesnake bite just from visible fang marks can be difficult. Here are some factors that complicate identification:
- Only about 25% of rattlesnake bites leave clear fang marks.
- Fangs range from 0.25 to 0.50 inches long but only the tip penetrates.
- Fang marks can be obscured by swelling, bleeding, or blot clotting.
- Juvenile snakes have shorter fangs that leave smaller marks.
- If bitten through clothing, no marks may be visible.
The lack of obvious fang marks does not rule out a rattlesnake bite. Diagnosis depends on symptoms like pain, swelling, and changes to blood cells and platelet counts. Any hiker exhibiting these venom effects after being bitten by a snake, even without clear fang marks, requires immediate medical care.
Do rattlesnake bites always leave two puncture wounds?
No, while rattlesnakes do possess two hollow fangs designed to inject venom, their bites do not always leave two obvious puncture wounds.
Here are some reasons why rattlesnake bites may not show two fang marks:
- Only one fang penetrates if bite is glancing.
- Fangs can leave just a single tear in skin.
- Swelling and bruising covers up fang marks.
- Bites occur through clothing, obscuring marks.
- Fang tips frequently break off and regenerate.
- Marks are hidden if bitten on tough spots like the hand.
Diagnosing a venomous rattlesnake bite should rely on symptoms rather than visible fang marks alone. Anyone displaying signs of envenomation after potential rattlesnake contact needs urgent medical care regardless of obvious bite wound appearance.
Can decapitating a venomous snake just after it bites still inject venom?
Yes, a snake’s head can still envenomate even after being decapitated. This is because:
- Snake heads retain reflexive biting instincts post-decapitation.
- Venom glands and fangs still function for a short time.
- Heart continues pumping spreading venom.
- Nerves can stimulate venom release.
Records show people being bitten and injected with venom minutes after a snake has been decapitated (3). Even as the head starts decomposing, venom toxins remain active and dangerous.
For this reason, snake heads should be completely disposed of where they cannot inflict any further bites. Safely hiking away from the snake is recommended over trying to capture or kill it. Like any snakebite, immediate first aid and medical care is required even if the snake has been decapitated.
Do snake repellents and avoidance gadgets actually work?
There are many marketed products that claim to repel snakes or alert hikers to their presence, including:
- Sulfur-scented granules
- Vibrational bracelets
- Ultrasonic stakes
- Battery-powered buzzers
However, scientific testing of these snake avoidance products shows limited effectiveness (4). Snakes do not hear airborne sounds and do not sense ground vibrations the same as humans. Scent repellents also provide very localized effects.
More reliable precautions include hiking with trekking poles, wearing protective clothing, scanning terrain carefully, and making noise to alert snakes to your presence. Ultimately, the best way to avoid bites is by remaining alert, leaving snakes undisturbed, and getting medical care if bitten.
Conclusion
While the majority of hikers will never encounter a snake, it is still smart to take sensible precautions. Staying on trails, wearing protective clothing, and making noise helps avoid surprise encounters. Learning how to identify venomous species prepares hikers to give snakes adequate space. In the rare event of a bite, remaining calm, immobilizing the limb, and promptly seeking medical treatment can prevent severe outcomes. Snakes are not inherently dangerous, but inappropriate handling and disregard for basic safety measures leads to most bites. With proper knowledge and preparation, hikers and snakes can safely coexist when visiting wilderness areas.