How to Survive an Encounter With a Snake

Co-authored by Kevin Carrillo

Last Updated: November 20, 2022 References Approved

Snakes are found in many climates and terrains. Sometimes they can even appear in your own back yard. For the most part, snakes are harmless. But sometimes they can hurt you. If you encounter a snake, you definitely do not want to engage it, even if you think that it is not dangerous. There are several steps you can take to avoid a harmful encounter with a snake.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Keeping Safety in Mind

1
Be mindful of your environment. If there is a chance that you might run into a snake, take care to be very observant. If you are going on a hike or camping, you should be conscious of your surroundings. Be aware of where snakes are most likely to appear.^{[1]
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- When you are hiking, stay on the trail as much as possible. You might still encounter a snake, but it is less likely than if you wander off of the trail.
- Avoid tall grass. These areas are very appealing to many types of snakes.
- Snakes like to hide under rocks and logs. Be careful when walking near these areas. Keep your eyes open and be on the lookout for snakes.
- You should also use caution when rock climbing. Snakes like to hide in nooks and crannies. Look before placing your hand somewhere on the rock.
2
Stay calm. Ideally, being mindful of your environment will help you to stay away from snakes. However, that is not always possible. If you do encounter a snake, there are several things you can do to remain safe.^{[2]
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- Try not to panic. Staying calm can help you make the right decisions and help you to stay safe.
- Don't make any sudden movements in the direction of the snake. Just remain calm, and try not to startle the animal.
- Remember that the snake was not out looking for you. It likely was just trying to find a place to get warm.
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3
Walk away. One of the most effective ways to survive an encounter with a snake is to not engage. If you come across a snake in your path, walk away. If you can't turn and go the other direction, make sure to give the snake a wide berth as you circle around it.^{[3]
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- Remember that most snakes have no desire to be around people. That is why you rarely see them.
- If you see a snake in your yard or garden, just stay away from it. It is likely that the snake will flee when it sees you.
- Sometimes you might encounter an aggressive snake or one that is cornered. The same advice applies. Do not try to capture the snake. Just head the other direction.
- If you encounter a snake at home, call a professional for help. Avoid trying to remove a snake yourself.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Kevin Carrillo
  Pest Control Specialist
  Expert Interview. 22 October 2019.}
4
Make loud noises. Loud sounds can help you to drive a snake from your path. Snakes don't have ears, but they are very sensitive to vibrations. Loud sounds are likely to make a snake flee to a more quiet place.^{[5]
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- Raise your voice. Try shouting, "Go away, snake!" or simply just yelling.
- Stomp your feet loudly. You can also try banging some sticks together.
- If you have a snake visiting your yard or garden, noise should help you get rid of him. Turn on the lawn mower nearby as a way to make some noise.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Treating a Wound

1
Keep the victim calm. In some cases, you might not be able to avoid a very close encounter with a snake. Unfortunately, snake bites do occur. If you or a friend experience a snake bite, there are several steps you can take to effectively deal with the situation.^{[6]
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- Make sure that the person who was bitten does not panic. Remaining calm can be difficult, but it will definitely help the situation.
- If you are bitten, avoid moving around. Restricting your movement will help to reduce the flow of venom.
- Sometimes you may not be certain if you or your friend were actually bitten. Be familiar with the common symptoms of snake bites.
- You may see fang marks or swelling at the wound. Fever, dizziness, and weakness are also common symptoms.
2
Seek medical attention. You need to seek professional help for any snake bite. Even if you think it is minor, call a doctor. Depending on where you are, you may need to call an ambulance.^{[7]
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- Call 911. The dispatcher might direct you to either take the patient to the nearest clinic or hospital, or they might send an ambulance.
- Antivenom needs to be administered to snakebite victims. There are different types of antivenom.
- Try to tell the doctor or operator what type of snake it was. If you don't know, try to describe its appearance.
- You can also call the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. They can offer advice on treatment and are available 24/7.^{[8]
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  Trustworthy Source
  U.S. National Capital Poison Center
  Independent poison control center providing resources to prevent poisonings and save lives
  Go to source}
3
Use basic first aid. You should seek medical assistance for any snake bite, no matter the severity. If you can't immediately get the victim to a treatment facility, you can use basic first aid.
- Remove any rings, jewelry, or clothing around the area. This will help prevent swelling.
- Gently clean the wound with water and a clean cloth. Do not flush the wound with water.
- Wrap the wounded limb with compression bandages. Apply these bandages as you would to a sprained ankle, wrapping firmly but not too tight. Keep wrapping the bandages about 4 inches above the wound.
- Do not apply a tourniquet. Do not try to suck the venom out by mouth.
4
Be prepared. Know that anytime you are spending time in the outdoors you could encounter a snake. This is especially true during the warm summer months. If you are going camping or hiking, be prepared for snakes.
- Bring a first aid kit with you. If you are hiking or camping, you should have basic supplies.
- Your kit should include compression bandages, antibiotic ointment, and gauze. You should also pack a pamphlet with first aid guidelines.^{[9]
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- Take plenty of bottled water with you. You can use it to hydrate a snake bite victim, and clean wounds.
- Carry a cell phone. You will need it to call for help if you or a companion is bitten by any snake.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Identifying Dangerous Snakes

1
Observe the snake's posture. Not all snakes are dangerous. However, it is a good rule of thumb to avoid any snakes you encounter in the wild. Certain signals can tell you whether the snake in question is particularly dangerous.^{[10]
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- Pay attention to the snake's position. A coiled snake is likely getting ready to strike.
- If you encounter a rattlesnake, back away slowly. If the snake is coiled and audibly rattling, it is getting ready to strike.
- Be aware that a snake can strike from any position. It can strike the furthest distance from a coiled position, but it can also attack from a stretched out position.
2
Recognize poisonous snakes. There is no foolproof way to tell if the snake you encounter is venomous. It's a good idea to assume that it is and move along. Venomous snakes do carry some common traits that are good indicators that they are poisonous.^{[11]
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- Poisonous snakes in the United States are almost all pit vipers. Pit vipers have heat-seeking pits on their snouts that help them to locate prey.
- Many poisonous snakes have triangular heads. The water moccasin, rattlesnake, and copperhead all have pointed heads and are venomous.
- The water moccasin is also known as a cottonmouth and is found in many southern waterways. Its venom can cause muscle and tissue damage.
- The coral snake is the exception to many rules and is the most venomous snake in the US. It has a rounded head, rounded pupils, and is more brightly colored than other snakes.
3
Stay away from rattlesnakes. Hikers and fishermen frequently encounter rattlesnakes. These snakes live in all parts of the continental United States. They are particular common in the Southwest.^{[12]
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- You can identify a rattlesnake by looking for the distinct, noise-making scales at the end of its tale. Be aware that not all rattlesnakes will actively be rattling. They are still dangerous.
- Rattlesnakes are strong swimmers. Be on the lookout for them if you are fishing in a stream, lake, or river.
- The rattlesnake has hollow, retractable fangs. These fangs appear when the snake strikes and can inject large amounts of venom in their victim.
4
Get rid of a snake. The best thing to do when you encounter a snake is to walk away and let it be. However, sometimes you may feel that you absolutely need to get rid of the snake. Make sure to keep safety as your top priority.^{[13]
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- If you find a snake in your yard, you might worry about it biting your children or pets. To send it on its way, spray it gently with a garden hose. Stand a good distance away while you spray.
- If you find a snake in your house, try to isolate it in one room. If you're sure it is not dangerous, you can set a glue trap to catch the snake, and then set it free.
- Call animal control. Each city has experts that can come help you deal with the snake who is invading your space.