An unlikely tale, perhaps—yet Ireland is unusual for its absence of native snakes. It's one of only a handful of places worldwide—including New Zealand, Iceland, Greenland, and Antarctica—where Indiana Jones and other snake-averse humans can visit without fear.
New Zealand: Safety for All
New Zealand may also be the safest country in the world for people who don't care for snakes. The country has no land snakes, though the waters around it occasionally host yellow-bellied sea snakes and kraits.
Alaska is famous for its complete absence of snakes, something most people - especially people from venomous snake country - fully appreciate. There are no lizards, freshwater turtles, or snakes in Alaska. The only reptiles in Alaska are rare sightings of sea turtles.
The native wildlife of New Zealand never evolved to handle snakes, so even a single snake could severely impact native wildlife populations. This would cause a chain reaction that would destroy much of New Zealand's natural beauty, something no one wants.
The reason Alaska is so naturally snake-less is due to how cold it is. The ground freezes and there's a lot of snow in the winter. Snakes are cold-blooded and tend to live in warmer places.
Alaska is the only state with a zero snake population.
Texas is the most snake-infested state in the U.S., with 68 snake species scattered all over the Lone Star State, especially concentrated in central Texas. Arizona has 52 species of snakes and more rattlesnake species than any other U.S. state.
Brazil is the country with the largest number of species of snakes in the world. But do you know that there is a country in the world where there are no snakes?
But even amid all this natural diplomacy, one of the biggest questions visitors ask is: Are there snakes in Hawaii? Technically, yes—but not necessarily in the way you're probably thinking of. Hawaii is home to the Brahminy Blind Snake, a diminutive black snake that has a penchant for gardens.
The relatively cool climate and the fact that Britain is an island have contributed to the paucity of British amphibian and reptile fauna. The English Channel has been the main barrier to the invasion of these animals from continental Europe, which has over 80 species.
They can make their way through screens, small cracks, and spaces around the foundation of your house, open vents, pipes, and any other space that may provide a small entryway to your home.
Each type has a primary range: Copperheads are in the Eastern and Central states, cottonmouths are in the Southeast, coral snakes are in the South from Arizona to Florida, and rattlesnakes are like Visa: everywhere you want to be.
Halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii in the South Pacific Ocean, the Cook Islands were formed after a series of volcanic eruptions 10 million years ago. This means there are no snakes or spiders native to the landscape: the mark of a true paradise, in our eyes.
Similarly, the northernmost bits of Russia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Canada, and the US have no native snakes, and the southernmost tip of South America is serpent-less as well. That makes Alaska one of two states to be snake-free, the other being Hawaii.
Many people who survive bites nevertheless suffer from permanent tissue damage caused by venom, leading to disability. Most snake envenomings and fatalities occur in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa, with India reporting the most snakebite deaths of any country.
Yes, snakes live in almost every ecological habitat in Japan. Whether it's a city park or a rural field, you can be sure that there are slithering serpents somewhere nearby. Overall, there are 47 different snake species, and four of them are seriously dangerous.
There are three native snake species in the UK including one venomous snake. You're most likely to see them in the wild, or sometimes in your garden, during the warm weather.
That doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Those reptilian pets, who manage to escape their homes, make their way to the tropical wilderness in Hawaii. Unfortunately, if you are caught owning, transporting, or possessing any snake in Hawaii, you will be fined up to $200,000; imprisoned for not more than three years.
The inland or western taipan, Oxyuranus microlepidotus, is the most venomous snake in the world, according to Britannica. Native to Australia, this snake has the deadliest venom based on median lethal dose, or LD50, tests on mice.
An unlikely tale, perhaps—yet Ireland is unusual for its absence of native snakes. It's one of only a handful of places worldwide—including New Zealand, Iceland, Greenland, and Antarctica—where Indiana Jones and other snake-averse humans can visit without fear.
Off the shore of Brazil, almost 93 miles away from downtown São Paulo, is Ilha da Queimada Grande, also known as “Snake Island.” The island is untouched by human developers for a very good reason. Researchers estimate that on the island live between one and five snakes per square meter.
Almost any stimulus may trigger a phobic reaction, but snakes are among the most feared objects. Half of the population feel anxious about snakes and 2-3% meet the diagnostic criteria for snake phobia.
Rubber boots can protect you from many things, but they only offer partial protection from snake bites. A rubber boot can be helpful at protecting you from a lot of snakes that don't have powerful fangs. And to be fair, that's most of the snakes we're likely to encounter in our day-to-day lives.
And last, while mammals are sensitive to the stuff in pepper spray, reptiles aren't. So save your spray for any grouchy dogs and politicians you might meet on the trail and just back off from the rattler.