Keeping Yourself Safe From Snakes

Australia is known for its poisonous snakes. Not all of these slithery critters are venomous, but you still want to keep yourself safe from snake bite so any kind while you are outdoors.

Camping and hiking fun can be cut short pretty fast if you encounter a snake. In most cases, the snake will avoid you, choosing to flee rather than get into confrontation with you. Still, you want to take precautions and do what you can to minimise your chances of suffering a snake bite.

Wear Closed Toe Shoes

One of the best ways to protect yourself is to wear shoes that are covered at the toes. That’s where snakes are most likely to bite, since they are close to the ground and all. If you wear sneakers, boots or other hiking-appropriate shoes, you are far less likely to get bitten by a snake. Even if they do attempt to bite you, chances are that they will get a mouthful of shoe and not be able to penetrate trough.

Move Away

If you do happen across a snake on a hiking trail or while walking, make some noise to deter it & keep a safe distance. Snakes can move quickly so it is best to stay at a good distance to them.

Do not throw anything at them or try to aggravate them as they may attempt to defend themselves or lash out.

Stay out of Long Grass

Grassy areas offer lots of protection for snakes. If you can’t see through the grass all the way to the ground and the grass is higher than your shin, there is a good chance that snakes can be hiding out there.

Another reason to avoid tall grass is because snakes can hide there more easily, and you might not see one until you are right up on it. If you can, just walk around the tall grass rather than going through it.

If you must travel through high grass it is recommended to use a large branch or stick to sweep the grass in front of you to drive off any snakes should they be in close proximity.

Cover Up

You don’t just want to cover up your feet against snakes. You can also benefit from wearing a jacket, tall boots, long pants and even gloves. These protect parts of your body that are normally open to snakebites, and the more skin you cover with something tough and hard to bite through, the more protected you will be.

While snakes can bite through some types of clothing, they will have a harder time getting to you if you are wearing something over your skin. Make sure you wear clothes that are appropriate for hiking and other outdoor activities, as they protect you better than what you might wear around the house or when you go shopping.

Keep a Fire Going

If you set up a campsite, especially in the night, try to keep a campfire going. Snakes are cold blooded animals that dislike the heat fires give off.

You can keep them far away from your campsite if you keep a fire burning. Just make sure it doesn’t get out of control. If you don’t feel comfortable with a fire blazing all night long, then set up lights around your campsite. Snakes tend to stay in the dark as much as possible and sneak up on their prey, and that’s hard to do in a well-lit campsite.

You should also be prepared in case of a snake bite, and keep your first aid kit ready at all times on any hikes or camping trips.