what to do when you are facing a wild snake?

Question

if there is no space to run what should you do? and is it true that using the fire estinguisher will freeze the snake?

Answer 1

I'm geussing that we're talking about something venomous here.... While I find it hard to imagine a situation where you couldn't turn and go back the way you came, I suppose such a situation could someday arise.

An important thing to remember is that snakes can only strike to about half their total length; this means that even a 6 foot rattlesnake can only lunge about 3 feet. If you can stay out of its effective striking range you'll be alright.

It does the snake absolutely no good to hurt or kill something the size of a human being. While it will most certainly strike if it feels threatened, it is not "out to get you". Even if you can't back away from the snake, as long as it has a way out, it will take it.

While a fire extinguisher might cool a snake off enough to make it lethargic, it won't freeze the animal.... I'm not sure that is normally going to be an option anyways; and there's a far easier solution.

While snakes can locate prey and potentially hazardous creatures with a variety of senses, they are generally sight hunters. Try to put something between you and the animal. A piece of plywood would be extremely handy, but not always an option in most situations. Best bet is just to remove a shirt or jacket and throw it over the snakes head. I've done this on numerous occaisions to capture venomous snakes and it does work. By being under cover, the snake feels more secure, and will not risk exposing itself without knowing what you're up to. As soon as you are sure its head is covered, you should get past it as quickly as possible to more open terrain...you can always go back for your clothing later.

**important note**
DO NOT try to kill the snake by stomping on it or anything equally foolish. Most likely you'll just end up getting bitten in the process.
DO NOT come within striking range of the snake while throwing your shirt/jacket over its' head. You aren't trying to harm the animal, but the snake doesn't know that.

Answer 2

90% of fire extinguishers use nitrogen as a propellant. Nitrogen gas can drastically cool the area enough to slow the snake down, allowing you to escape from a situation.

Some snakes are protected, some are not, but when faced with loss of life or a really bad bite, it s not an issue.

Answer 3

I have encountered thousands of snakes. None have ever shown the slightest desire to strike at me except one rattlesnake but it was going backwards. Just be careful not to step on it and show it respect. They are really only dangerous if you don't see them and accidentally corner them or step on them. Don't run, unless it is a black mamba and you live in South Africa. You can easily just walk away. Snakes don't chase people.
Jim the biologist, why did you give a down arrow to all those good answers?

Answer 4

I was at a rocky place in California once, and a friend who was with me (and knew the area) mentioned how "we had better be careful sitting where we were, because as the springtime rocks warmed up, rattle snakes would come out". We got involved in a conversation, and about 20 minutes later, true to the nature of reptiles, a huge rattler slithered out, he saw it first ran the 100 yard dash to the bottom of the hill in 5 seconds flat. I was perched precariously on the rock that happened to be where Mommy snake was protecting her young, less than 2 feet away. Cold steel beady eyes glared with deliberate intent. I remember speaking softly and with an "excuse me" connotation, "Hello there, I'm just going to back away and leave you be, OK", as i maneuvered, myself with only peripheral vision, careful not to break eye contact, in what could have made a gymnastic scout take notice. To just jump or push away from this situation was not an option, as I surely would have cracked my head on the jagged steep rock angle. I think it was a combination of knowing it was slow from cold, and just then warming up, my staying calm, and was able to put myself in a position to exit safely with minimal movement toward her. Fortunately this casual passive and respectful attitude, kept the attack coiling and rattling warning response, just under "all out attack" mode.

Answer 5

If it is a constrictor, then you have nothing to worry about since they can't poison you with a bite. If it is venamous, then leave it alone by backing away slowly. If it is in the house, then call animal control so they can humanely remove the snake.

And no, a fire extinguisher wont freeze them

Answer 6

Yes wild hogs will eat snakes. But only when they bother them. Hogs are kinda lazy and dosent like to chace things.

Answer 7

Just stand still. If you don't move the snake will not know you are there and will not feel threatened so it won't strike. It will move out of the way eventually.

Answer 8

Remain calm and try to act like an adult. Remember snakes are terrified of people. Fear of snakes is really unnatural and kinda silly.

Remember also that snakes are protected by laws. Doing harm or killing one is illegal.

Leave the wild to the wild.

Answer 9

Stay still. Don't make any movements until the snake go away.

Answer 10

Fire extinguishers will not freeze snakes but if they are on firte it will extinguish the fire, snakes like all other mammmals do not have arms and cannot use fire extinguishers