At first, the zig-zag pattern helps the snake remain undetected. But upon exposure, it provides a conspicuous warning of the snake's dangerous defense. Most importantly the zig-zag can also produce an illusionary effect that may hide the snake's movement as it flees.
Snakes have no legs but they show fast movement in a zigzag manner. The movement is carried out by alternating contraction and relaxation of a set of muscles present on the sides of the body creating series of curves. The wave-like motion pushes the body forward by pressing against the ground.
If you discover a snake, do not approach it closely. If you step on a snake or are very close to a Puff adder then move away quickly. If the snake is only about a meter away, freeze at first and see the snakes reaction - it will likely look for an escape route. If it is cornered, back away slowly.
Leave it alone. Snakes are generally shy and will not attack unless provoked, so it's best to leave them be.
The Coastal Taipan is often regarded as the most dangerous snake in Australia. They are extremely nervous and alert snakes, and any movement near them is likely to trigger an attack.
If you run, the snake may interpret the sudden movement as a threat and attack. Thus, the smartest thing to do is to stop moving and stay still. This will help calm the snake down. It will likely slither away on its own.
Rule Number 1: Don't Try To Outrun A Snake
Not because your kid can't — they probably could! The very fastest snake, the Black Mamba, can slither at about 12 MPH, and a truly scared human (even one with short legs) could probably exceed that.
You can usually tell if the snake is about to strike by watching their tail. The positioning of the tail is what will eventually give them leverage and more lunging power. The snake will slowly move its tail into a tighter position and may even prop its tail up against something nearby to give it more leverage.
When handling a snake for the first time, it is safest to grasp just behind a snake's head before lifting the rest of the body. Be gentle when handling any snakes. Some species must be handled with care, even though they are non-venomous, since they can be very aggressive.
What Smell Do Snakes Hate? Strong and disrupting smells like sulfur, vinegar, cinnamon, smoke and spice, and foul, bitter, and ammonia-like scents are usually the most common and effective smells against snakes since they have a strong negative reaction to them.
Never try to pick up a snake, even if it is dead. A snake's reflexes can still cause the snake to strike up to an hour after it has died. If you have an encounter with a snake, give it the right-of-way. Do not attempt to kill the snake, just move out of the snake's way.
Snakes can't hear very well, but can sense vibrations in the ground. When walking in the bush, make noise and stomp your feet to scare off any nearby snakes.
These eerie postmortem movements are fueled by the ions, or electrically charged particles, which remain in the nerve cells of a snake for several house after it dies, Beaupré said. When the nerve of a newly dead snake is stimulated, the channels in the nerve will open up, allowing ions to pass through.
This movement is also known as lateral undulation.
In the unsure mood, a snake will start to flick its tongue more rapidly to try and grasp what is going on around it. This behavior should be observed from 5-10 meters to ensure maximum safety. Getting any closer could result in a nasty bite. Bear in mind some snakes have an incredible strike range.
“A snake that is feeling aggressive may warn you with a hiss,” states Dr. Hoppes. “This can occur when you are forcing your attention on the snake, and if you persist, they may strike out. Typically snakes hiss or coil when they are feeling hostile, but most pet snakes are not aggressive animals unless threatened.”
Being around it without attempting to touch it will let your snake know you are not a threat. Touch your snake inside its cage. Once you have let your snake know you are not a threat, you can begin to touch it while it is inside its cage.
To understand this perceived behavior of a snake chasing someone, one must first realize that a snake has nothing to gain by chasing a person. A snake obviously could not eat a person and so is not looking for food. They are not vengeful and do not chase people out of sheer hate.
attacked, snakes will stand their ground and may attempt to strike at or even bite their intruder. As a rule of thumb, rattlesnakes can, at best, strike a distance of two-thirds their total body length. For example, a three foot long snake may be able to strike a distance of two feet.
In most cases, a snake can strike up to a distance between 1/3 to 1/2 of its body length. For example, if the snake is four feet in length, its strike can likely reach no more than two feet.
Snakes like to warm their bodies in the sunshine. Hiking in the evening or early in the morning helps you avoid their favorite part of the day. Wear appropriate clothing, especially hiking boots with a higher top (there are even snake chaps if you really want to put on some armor but I think they are overkill!)
A snake falling on you can imply that there is a sickness en route to influence your life. Snakes crossing your way or climbing a tree in a dream implies propitious, while watching snakes in water can influence your life.