what to do if rattlesnake on hiking trail

Few things instill fearfulness in a hiker or camper more than coming across a rattlesnake in their path. These are indeed brutal animals, just is avoiding rattlesnakes while hiking or camping ground really possible?

Fortunately, the reply to that question is "yes," and information technology's a lot easier than you think. In this quick guide, you will learn:

• What exactly are rattlesnakes
• Are they actually lethal to us, humans and to what extent
• What is their behavior and reaction towards man beings
• Actionable tips on how to avoid snake encounters
• Everything you lot demand to exercise in case you get bitten by a rattlesnake

And so if you lot desire to obtain some valuable cognition on how to bargain with those dangerous animals and stay safe, you'll like this commodity.

Let's jump right in.

What Are Rattlesnakes?

Virtually everyone knows what a rattlesnake looks similar. Nosotros've seen them in movies and even in textbooks, and they are known by the rattling devices on the ends of their tails.

Snakes rattle their tails when they experience threatened or to warn passersby, and the noise made from the rattles can be very loud. And creepy.

Although roughly seven,000 to eight,000 people per year go bit by venomous snakes in the United States, including rattlesnakes, the number of deaths is very low – ordinarily just about v per yr.

At the aforementioned fourth dimension, who wants to get bitten past a rattlesnake and endure all of that hurting? No i does, which is why avoiding them in the showtime place is your best form of activity.

The skillful news is that rattlesnakes tend to avert wide open spaces and by and large do not like humans, generally considering their intention is to hide from their predators.

Rattlesnakes are native to the Americas and are found mostly in the Southwest and into Mexico, with us of Texas and Arizona having the about types of them.

If there is any good news associated with a rattlesnake seize with teeth, it'southward the fact that nigh bites are not fatal. In add-on, if you lot receive an anti-venom handling inside 2 hours of the bite, your chances of a full recovery are more 99%.

It can also take up to 48 hours for death to occur, but that doesn't mean yous shouldn't become medical treatment immediately.

Not All Rattlesnake Bites Are the Aforementioned

If a rattlesnake bites you, it is possible not to get any venom, to simply go a minor amount of venom, or to get a lot of venom.

Several factors tin can impact the amount of venom y'all receive, including how aggressive or angry the snake is, the size of the snake's fangs, and whether the venom sack is full.

Indeed, fifty-fifty though it can take up to four days to dice from a venomous serpent bite, it can also take only around half-dozen hours for this to happen, then time is always of the essence when you've been bitten.

When you lot are bitten, you'll usually experience some swelling and some called-for pain a little away from the actual seize with teeth. Y'all can also experience symptoms such as:

• Feet
• Middle failure (although this is rare)
• Hemorrhaging
• Nausea and airsickness
• Perspiration
• Astringent pain
• Tingling
• Weakeness

If you become fleck past a rattlesnake and experience no pain or other symptoms afterwards several hours, this normally means you either didn't receive any venom or at that place isn't enough venom in your organisation to crusade you any business organisation.

Roughly one-3rd of the time, in fact, yous won't get any venom from the seize with teeth at all. Getting the wound checked out by a medico, however, is still not a bad idea.

Hither's some other truth that should make you feel a niggling amend about rattlesnakes:

Over 70% of the people who get flake past rattlesnakes each year are young, male, and ordinarily intoxicated.

In other words, most bites occur when humans endeavor to tease or pick up the serpent, or when they go a niggling too close for comfort for the snake to feel safe.

And then, nosotros've determined that rattlesnakes don't like humans and they rarely seize with teeth, and even if they do bite, it is usually non fatal.

But when you lot don't desire to take that take a chance in the commencement identify, there are some things you tin can do to avoid rattlesnakes altogether.

Fugitive Rattlesnakes While Hiking

If you're getting gear up to hitting the hiking trail and you want to make certain y'all avoid whatever rattlesnakes in the surface area, there are some things you can do that are normally very constructive.

These include the following:

#i Get Familiar With The Places Yous Might Find Rattlesnakes

Rattlesnakes usually adopt hot climates. Some of them prefer the desert and some of them, including the diamondback rattlesnake, prefer moister climates.

The main thing to remember, nonetheless, is that they love warm climates. This ways if it gets a little cooler outside, they may venture out in search of warmth.

#2 Wearing apparel the Right Way Earlier You Go Outdoors

Yous'll want to dress so that if yous exercise get bit, your habiliment and shoes volition absorb well-nigh of the impact of the bite.

This means wearing long leggings and shoes that encompass the entire foot area, and preferably the ankles as well.

Good hiking boots, therefore, are perfect. Never, ever wear open-toe shoes, Viakix sandals or Antipodal!

As for pants, cull a quality pair of long pants with reinforced knees and seat.

#3 Pay Close Attending The Entire Time

When you're hiking in an surface area known to be frequented by rattlesnakes, you should be aware of your environment at all times.

If possible, always hike with a friend, stick with a well-known trail, and never get into tall grass or a woody area unless you inspect it first.

If you sit down to residue, look at the area to make sure there are no snakes around. Step on rocks and logs instead of over them to make sure they're not snakes and never endeavor to grab anything you come across nearby because it may exist a snake.

#4 Carry a Stick With You As Yous Hike

If you go hiking with a stick, information technology is easy to use that stick to move things in front of you out of the manner so yous tin can be sure no snakes are there.

You can use the stick to milkshake up nearby grass and shrubs to make up one's mind if snakes are at that place. This serves another purpose too – information technology alerts snakes that might be in the surface area that at that place are humans nearby.

In that case, they volition do their best to slither away from yous (call up, they don't like humans!).

#5 Exist Peculiarly Careful Around H2o

Keep in mind that snakes can swim. In fact, if you are walking past a chip of water, even if it'south water in a ditch, and you lot come across something that looks similar a stick, information technology could very well exist a snake.

This is yet another reason to be alert at all times while you hike because as y'all can run across, being merely a little proactive when you lot're out hiking in an area known to have snakes is the best way to avert them.

What to Do If Yous Run into A Rattlesnake

Of class, even if you've taken all the precautions you lot can, there volition still exist times when you run across a rattlesnake or another type of venomous snake, and believe it or not, the all-time matter you tin can practise in this circumstance is to stay at-home.

Easier said than done, right?

In whatever case, just continue in heed that rattlesnakes are likely more agape of you than yous are of them.

Since they but bite when they feel threatened, you tin can calmly back away from them and head out in some other direction.

Although this should exist obvious to everyone, information technology bears repeating: never taunt a ophidian or provoke information technology in whatsoever way.

Its natural instincts will ascension upward and it'll feel threatened, which profoundly increases the likelihood that you'll get bitten.

In fact, leaving the snake alone completely is your best defense at this point, so walk away and let the ophidian keep its merry way as well!

If you lot remember what we said earlier, y'all'll know that most of the time, people are bitten when they are trying to handle the rattlesnake for one reason or another.

Never endeavour to move the snake out of the way with your hands. Stay every bit far away from the snake equally possible and exit quietly.

What To Do If You Get Bitten

If y'all become bitten by a ophidian regardless of how careful you've been, recollect that seeing a doctor as shortly as possible is always the smartest thing to do.

But if you're in the heart of the woods and wish to do something before y'all leave for the infirmary, what should you do beginning?

Ideally, you can use 1 of the many over-the-counter snake bite kits that you really should already have in your backpack if you lot're a regular hiker.

Reverse to what you see in the movies, never suck the venom out of your wound because it's besides easy for it to get into your bloodstream, which can exist dangerous for y'all.

Follow the directions in your kit and don't panic, and try to get to the hospital quickly, especially if the symptoms are already starting to appear.

Determination

Avoiding rattlesnakes altogether is the best way to never get bitten by one, and now that you know how rare it is to become bitten or to die from a rattlesnake bite, you lot should experience a petty better about your side by side hiking outing.

But don't get as well self or arrogant. Just exist conscientious and use some common sense and you should be fine.

Have you ever had an come across with snakes while hiking? Leave a comment below!

Asen Stoyanchev

Founder of this website, Asen is a passionate hiker and author who is also a gear nerd. He's been featured on many established hiking websites where he gives hiking advice & tips. When he is not trekking with his family unit or friends, he is writing manufactures and product reviews. Asen spends most of his time in Bulgaria just he constantly travels the world in seek of more than unforgettable experiences. Read more almost Asen here.

deanangs1988.blogspot.com

Source: https://gearuphiking.com/avoiding-rattlesnakes-while-hiking/

Share this post