Tips for Hiking in Snake Country
Usually, hikers are not a target for snakes. These reptiles want to avoid a possible meeting just as much as you do. However, snakes will defend themselves if they feel threatened. And in most cases, people are to blame for their own negligence or ignorance, which leads to snake bites.
If you keep your cool and take all the essential safety measures, the possibility of getting bitten by snakes is quite low. In this article, we'll talk about some tips for hiking in snake country.
Verify the Logs of Your Trips
Hikers keep updates on recent snake activity, which might help you decide if you should visit the same location but take additional precautions or whether you should choose an alternative vacation spot.
Exploratory Glory YouTube Channel
Put on Long Pants and Tall Boots
It's important to always wear long pants and ankle-covering boots while hiking in snake country. Wearing snake gaiters for hiking not only protects you against snakebites but also greatly reduces the likelihood that you will sprain your ankles.
When hiking in an area known for ticks, adding long pants designed to guard against snakes is the best way to ensure your safety from both ticks and snakes.
Hike During Hibernation Seasons
If you want to see the desert at its most beautiful in the spring, you shouldn't allow your fear of snakes to keep you inside.
However, late autumn, winter, and early spring are great times to trek the desert since the chilly temperatures force the snakes to stay in their caves.
Keep Going Along the Trail
The simplest and most obvious safety measure is to always keep on the path. Snakes seldom go out during the day, and when they do, it's usually to bask in the early morning light.
Unless they have to go somewhere, snakes will hide in the shadows or beneath rocks. Stay on the path and out of the rocks and shrubs if you want to avoid snakes on a hike.
Dogs Must Always be on a Leash
There are a lot of us who like taking our furry friends for walks in the park. Hikers often take their dogs on the trail with them, and they often do so without leashes.
As long as the hikers are in an area that permits dogs to be off-leash, this is perfectly acceptable behaviour. Because dogs are so curious and so low to the ground, they are more vulnerable to snake bites than people are anywhere else.
Keep your dog on a leash if you expect to encounter snakes on your hike. If you want to be on the safe side, you can obtain a vaccination for your pet against snake venom.
Pack Trekking Poles
Walking sticks, also known as trekking poles, are a fantastic tool for avoiding snakes on any hike. If there's a snake in the bushes, you may use the pole to probe around it, and the snake will strike at the pole instead of your foot.
Conclusion
Following these guidelines and wearing appropriate clothing should ensure your safety since snake attacks are very rare in any region of the globe.
But staying alert and aware on the path is always more important than carrying protective gear and taking precautions in the event of a snake encounter.
More Hiking Articles
