PROTECTION IN THE FIELD
In the field, where poisonous snakes are more common, they present a greater hazard to human life; consequently, campers, crop farmers and others who spend a great deal of time outdoors should necessarily take more care in avoiding snake bites. Because almost all snake bites are inflicted on the arms or legs of the victim, these limbs require special protection. The use of a little caution, when placing hands or feet where snakes may be partially or completely hidden from view, is the best protection you can give them. This is particularly true when climbing hand-over-hand on rocky ledges, where your hands reach the level of the ledge before your eyes do. Rattlesnakes and copperheads are partial to such rocky hillsides and here, especially during the warm days of early spring, they prefer to coil and sun themselves.
Armadillo and pack rat burrows also make excellent shelters for rattlesnakes, and only a reckless person would find an excuse to reach into one of these holes. Yet one year, in South Texas alone, at least two snake bites occurred when the victims, each in search of small game, reached into armadillo holes and were bitten by rattlesnakes coiled there.
Another way to invite snake bite is to thoughtlessly turn over a log with bare hands or to step over one without first looking to see whether a snake is coiled on the other side. Many snakes, particularly the copperhead and coral snake, are fond of hiding beneath or within decaying logs, as any snake collector will testify, and such a log is at all times to be considered a potential snake den. If a log must be moved, use a long stick as a pry-bar. Stepping over a log will be less risky if boots or high-top shoes are worn, but even then it is safer to see first what is on the other side.
Several types of footwear offer good protection against the bites of most snakes. Especially effective are high-top leather shoes, riding boots, rubber boots or a combination of army “paratrooper shoes” and heavy leather puttees. Probably the best of these is a snakeproof boot made of extra heavy bullhide leather, sold by the Gokey Company, 94 East 4th Street, St. Paul, Minnesota. For protection of the legs above the knees, snakeproof pants that weigh little more than ordinary duck trousers are available. They consist of three thicknesses of duck material and one layer of fine wire mesh, flexible enough to allow easy knee movement. Snakeproof leggings of similar material can be purchased for safeguarding just the lower legs. Recently marketed aluminum leggings furnish good protection in many cases, but some brands tested were too thin and easily damaged; others were too uncomfortable.
If a poisonous snake is discovered close by, the best protection is to remain as still as possible until the snake has moved away. It should be remembered that a snake is quick to strike at a moving object, so to quickly step away at such a moment may be disastrous. If a rattlesnake is heard nearby but cannot be located, do not begin a wild dash for safety. Location of the snake may be misjudged and by taking a step you are likely to walk into, rather than away from, it. Again, remain still until the snake is sighted and, when it is certain the snake is at least five or six feet away and no others are nearby, slowly back away. If you must move away, do so as slowly as possible.
Because our native poisonous snakes are mostly nocturnal in their activities, remaining hidden during the day and emerging at night in search of food, a flashlight should be used by persons who find it necessary to travel through snake country after dark. During the cool days of spring and autumn, however, nocturnal habits are often reversed. During the day snakes search for warm spots in which to sun themselves; by nightfall they are again under cover.
None of our poisonous Texas snakes ordinarily can strike more than three-quarters of its body length, unless it has a firm backing or is striking downward from an incline. Certainly none has the ability to jump at an enemy, a feat often attributed to the rattlesnake. A snake on the defensive is coiled with the forward part of its body in a loose S position. When striking, this coil is straightened out and the head is thrust forward. It is not necessary for a snake to strike from a coil in order to bite. If picked up near the head, it may simply turn, open its mouth and bite the hand.
It is dangerous to believe, as many do, that a water moccasin cannot bite under water, and woe to the person who dares to seize a submerged cottonmouth.