Snakes are generally shy and will not attack unless provoked, so it's best to leave them be.
Snakes will usually avoid people and bite only if they feel threatened. Most snakes are fairly harmless (not poisonous/not venomous). Even so, if you're bitten by any kind of snake, you should take it seriously.
Snakes are most likely to bite when they feel threatened, are startled, are provoked, or when they have been cornered. Snakes are likely to approach residential areas when attracted by prey, such as rodents. Regular pest control can reduce the threat of snakes considerably.
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.
We repeat, move away from the snake. That means don't walk up to it, poke it with a stick, try to pick it up, etc. We recommend retreating a safe distance away but keeping an eye on the snake. If you can, use your camera or smartphone's zoom to snap a quick picture of the snake.
Brown snakes hunt by actively looking for prey and searching in likely hiding places. They have good eyesight and once prey is detected they will give chase and subdue the prey using both venom and constriction.
Leave it alone. Snakes are generally shy and will not attack unless provoked, so it's best to leave them be.
85 percent of bites are to the fingers and hands. 13 percent of snakebites occur on the feet and legs, rarely above the ankle. 57 percent of snakebite victims were handling the snake at the time of the bite.
Self Defense: When they feel threatened, snakes will strike to let you know to back off. Most often, this is the kind of snake bite that a human will get. Sometimes, they won't even inject venom – 20-25% of bites are called dry bites.
Typical symptoms of the bite from a nonvenomous snake are pain and scratches at the site. Usually, after a bite from a venomous snake, there is severe burning pain at the site within 15 to 30 minutes. This can progress to swelling and bruising at the wound and all the way up the arm or leg.
The bite may look like a slight scratch or graze, or some minor swelling - there may be no pain or other symptoms. Even so, always perform first aid and seek treatment. Symptoms of a snakebite can include: Puncture marks (or small, very visible scratches)
Perhaps most important, snakes are nocturnal, hence the reason for nighttime bites. A snake's biology can cause bites as well because they hunt their prey by sensing body heat and vibrations, leading to human bites.
The coastal carpet python is not venomous – it does not have fangs, either! This doesn't mean its defenseless, however. Apart from its incredible size and strength, carpet pythons also contain around 100 small, sharp teeth that can cause needle-like lacerations when biting.
Between 81,000-138,000 people die from snakebite each year. Many more survive but may do so with lasting disabilities or disfigurement. Most snake bites occur in low-income areas in Africa, Asia and Latin America, with agricultural workers and children most often affected.
About 7,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the United States annually. Only 0.2% (1 out of 500) venomous snakebites result in death.
The estimated incidence of snakebites annually in Australia is between 3 and 18 per 100,000 with an average mortality rate of 0.03 per 100,000 per year, or roughly 1 to 2 persons, down from 13 persons per year in the 1920s.
While they can be out any time, rattlesnakes are most active in the morning and from dusk into the night. They hunt mice and rodents in darkness because they can sense body heat with special organs on their face.
The most common venomous snakebites are caused by the following snakes: Pit vipers. These include rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouth (water moccasin) snakes.
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!)
Avoid approaching any snake you cannot positively identify as a safe species. If you hear the warning rattle, move away from the area and do not make sudden or threatening movements in the direction of the snake. Remember rattlesnakes do not always rattle before they strike!
Leave the snake alone. Identify it by species. Continue to leave it alone so long as it is not venomous and not inside a house or building.