Danger Noodles and You
Take this post with you.
Use the pdf button. Stay a bit safer on the trail.
There are to kinds of snakes and Believe it or not humans aren’t on the menu for either.
Venomous
Venomous snakes like this cute little western rattlesnake, deliver a venom that kills their prey by multiple methods. It targets the tissues and nervous systems of small animals like lizards or mice.
These beautiful snakes unfortunately target prey that are similar enough to us that the venom can have a serious negative affect on humans. Although the lethal amount of venom differs from animal to animal. Most snakes in the U.S. will typically not have the stopping power to kill the average healthy adult.
Not all venomous snakes have rattles. Unfortunately even though rattle snakes have rattles they might not always use them. So you need to watch where you step especially in thick vegetation.
Stay on the trail, In clear non-grassy ground, and in the daylight.
Important: Theses snakes are NOT out to get you, stay at a safe distance. Every rattlesnake I have come across, five at the time of this writing just wanted to run away from me.
Snake gaiters provide valuable protection if you decided to walk into the vegetation. Protection from unseen venomous snakes as well as spiny or scratchy vegetation. This vital protection comes at the cost of sweaty shins, be warned.
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Non-Venomous
The rest of the snakes species feed on similar prey, but they use a strategy of constriction to kill their prey. This means assuming you an average sized healthy adult Non-venomous snakes can’t seriously harm you.
They can still bite, and it may hurt a little but you’ll walk away just fine. With the exception of some extremely large species located internationally.
Important: Some species of constrictors mimic venomous counterparts. Don’t grab a snake that you can’t positively identify as non-venomous. If you aren’t sure just leave it be.
Do some research what snakes are you likely to find in your area.