I was looking up info on snakeproof boots, and they are pretty expensive (from $90 to the $200s). I was wondering if anyone knows whether just rubber boots offer any protection against snakebite, or whether anyone knows about any much cheaper snakeproof boots. Thanks.
I think snake proof boots are as much for your piece of mind as for protection against snake bites. I have encountered venomous snakes, unexpectedly, on numerous occasions, but never have they struck at me. (Rattler rattled or cottonmouth displayed, but never struck) Even if almost stepped on, a venomous snake, startled, darted away instead of striking. I think most people who are bitten by snakes are trying to kill or catch the snake. I wear ordinary shoes in snake country. Although I will say, a close encounter with an eastern diamondback will give one a case of snake nerves, and then we spend a lot of time looking at the ground as we walk.
I grew up in serious rattlesnake, coral snake and Gila monster country, then did my graduate work in even more serious rattlesnake country. But I wouldn't know a water moccasin from a brogan, any more than I'd know a cottonmouth from a cotton bale.
I can't say about rubber boots, but I was struck in on the inside of my right ankle while wearing jeans overlapping cowboy boots, and the fangs didn't penetrate. Of course, things got really entertaining because it's fangs hung in the hem for a second or two. Snake dance anyone?
Growing up as I did, we used "rattle sticks" any time conditions were especially bad. Anywhere else it would be called a walking stick, but we used them to rattle around in the dense brush before entering it ourselves. That strategy has dislocated or at least revealed the presence of so many snakes over the years, I instinctively pick up a stick when I get in the brush, even here in Alaska without the rattlers!
I don't know about your location or whether it will work with your species, but in the desert today, my tripod makes a pretty fair rattle stick any time I'm not carrying a walking stick and a limb isn't within reach.
When I worked at Big Cypress National Preserve, we wore detachable gaiters to protect ankles and lower legs in addition to our boots. This is roughly what Buck has referred you to. They are what I would get. Be careful what you do with your hands or where you sit. I have heard that venomous snakes of normally good judgement become erratic when shedding. Also, I can attest that water moccasins that have been singed are generally in a really bad mood. Hank, when a water moccasin comes after you, you will figure out what it is very quickly!
Hank, when a water moccasin comes after you, you will figure out what it is very quickly!
No wonder I'm a devoted westerner!
As for shedding making them erratic, I've found rattlesnakes to be quite preoccupied while actually in the act of shedding, but have encountered really brightly colored individuals (indicating recent sheds) in spring that were certainly aggressive. It's not a "universal" thing, and might even vary with subspecies or region. I well remember a spring morning in the Beaver Dam Mountain Wilderness on the Utah/Arizona border when 3 of 4 I saw were quite aggressive, actually coming out of cover to seek me out for my rude intrusion. If that's a small taste of water moccasin nature, I think I'll remain a westerner!
Nuff snake stories, but a point to add about gaiters. Given a choice Barbara, if there are several effective models available, go for the ones that are most porous or "breath" best. I've spent many a warm day wearing Kevlar safety chaps with chainsaws and leather chaps on horseback, and both are downright miserable due to sweat and heat.
Thanks so much for the information, everyone. Hank or anyone else, I'd actually really like more snake stories, particularly what bit you and what you did in the situation. Common thinking is that you have to remain as calm as possible, but I'm always alone in the woods, and I think I could remain calm if it would save my life, but I'd still have to work my way out, and that's causing the blood to flow. So I'm really interested in what any of you have done if you've been bitten.
If your still interested in buying snake boots Cabella's had them at one time. If it was me and I was in a snake infested area I would be wearing them. Why take the risk.
Hank or anyone else, I'd actually really like more snake stories, particularly what bit you and what you did in the situation.
There was absolutely nothing calm about my demeanor with that snake hung on the inside of my cuff. I war whooped, stomped, snorted and bounced like a bronc coming out of a chute in a rodeo. The biggest danger of injury was probably my companions falling down and rolling around on the ground, they were laughing so hard!
The only firsthand experience I have with a bite occurred when a friend and I were returning in the wee hours from an afternoon forest fire fight. We had been wearing caulk boots when the call came in, and all those little steel spikes in the soles got mighty HOT over the course of the day. We had gratefully taken off the boots while we drove back to the station. Nature called, so I pulled off the side of the road. My pard stepped out of the truck in the darkness, and though I couldn't really hear all the sound effects over the engine noise he immediately started bouncing up and down and cussing. When I came around the front of the truck he was still stomping on a snake in his stocking feet, even though he had long since killed it. Evidently he stepped right on it when he left the truck, and it popped him just above the ankle before it started rattling. Quite a "snake dance" he did, I can assure you!
I hauled him another half hour to the local clinic, and after suitable ER care, took him home. He experienced some swelling and discomfort along the lines of a bad wasp sting, but was nonetheless standing tall at work 4 hours later. More rolling around on the ground and laughter when I described his snake dance to the rest of the crew, but other than ego bruises no serious side effects.
I live in and photograph in an area where there are rattle snakes. I have been advised to wear snake gaiters, heavy canvass gaiters, but I don't. Because of knees that are starting to show their age, I am using trekking poles and they stir up the brush a lot. I have yet to see a rattler. The only snakes I have see are the ones on the road early in the morning warming themselves on the read. The fact is that the vast majority of snake bits are in the hands and face from people digging around where they shouldn't in snake country. There was already some good advise, watch were you are going and watch were you are setting. When I am going to set on the ground to get a low perspective of some this I always make sure to rattle the brush so that I don't sit on something I don't want to.
I just photographed a 4 1/2' Diamond Back a couple of weeks ago, which included a head shot. Among other things I teach CU-Macro so naturally I showed my "spring break" photos. So you'll know that I didn't get closer than about 3 feet, an OlympusDSLR, w/150mm, and 2X Tele Extender. The 13x19 Canon Glossy is sharp.
Discussion
9 repliesI think snake proof boots are as much for your piece of mind as for protection against snake bites. I have encountered venomous snakes, unexpectedly, on numerous occasions, but never have they struck at me. (Rattler rattled or cottonmouth displayed, but never struck) Even if almost stepped on, a venomous snake, startled, darted away instead of striking. I think most people who are bitten by snakes are trying to kill or catch the snake. I wear ordinary shoes in snake country. Although I will say, a close encounter with an eastern diamondback will give one a case of snake nerves, and then we spend a lot of time looking at the ground as we walk.
There are leggings that will protect your lower legs, plastic, strap-on. Available from forestry outfitters $37.50. Here is a link - http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/View_Catalog_Page.asp?mi=3589&title=Plastic+Leggings
I can't say about rubber boots, but I was struck in on the inside of my right ankle while wearing jeans overlapping cowboy boots, and the fangs didn't penetrate. Of course, things got really entertaining because it's fangs hung in the hem for a second or two. Snake dance anyone?
Growing up as I did, we used "rattle sticks" any time conditions were especially bad. Anywhere else it would be called a walking stick, but we used them to rattle around in the dense brush before entering it ourselves. That strategy has dislocated or at least revealed the presence of so many snakes over the years, I instinctively pick up a stick when I get in the brush, even here in Alaska without the rattlers!
I don't know about your location or whether it will work with your species, but in the desert today, my tripod makes a pretty fair rattle stick any time I'm not carrying a walking stick and a limb isn't within reach.
No wonder I'm a devoted westerner!
As for shedding making them erratic, I've found rattlesnakes to be quite preoccupied while actually in the act of shedding, but have encountered really brightly colored individuals (indicating recent sheds) in spring that were certainly aggressive. It's not a "universal" thing, and might even vary with subspecies or region. I well remember a spring morning in the Beaver Dam Mountain Wilderness on the Utah/Arizona border when 3 of 4 I saw were quite aggressive, actually coming out of cover to seek me out for my rude intrusion. If that's a small taste of water moccasin nature, I think I'll remain a westerner!
Nuff snake stories, but a point to add about gaiters. Given a choice Barbara, if there are several effective models available, go for the ones that are most porous or "breath" best. I've spent many a warm day wearing Kevlar safety chaps with chainsaws and leather chaps on horseback, and both are downright miserable due to sweat and heat.
There was absolutely nothing calm about my demeanor with that snake hung on the inside of my cuff. I war whooped, stomped, snorted and bounced like a bronc coming out of a chute in a rodeo. The biggest danger of injury was probably my companions falling down and rolling around on the ground, they were laughing so hard!
The only firsthand experience I have with a bite occurred when a friend and I were returning in the wee hours from an afternoon forest fire fight. We had been wearing caulk boots when the call came in, and all those little steel spikes in the soles got mighty HOT over the course of the day. We had gratefully taken off the boots while we drove back to the station. Nature called, so I pulled off the side of the road. My pard stepped out of the truck in the darkness, and though I couldn't really hear all the sound effects over the engine noise he immediately started bouncing up and down and cussing. When I came around the front of the truck he was still stomping on a snake in his stocking feet, even though he had long since killed it. Evidently he stepped right on it when he left the truck, and it popped him just above the ankle before it started rattling. Quite a "snake dance" he did, I can assure you!
I hauled him another half hour to the local clinic, and after suitable ER care, took him home. He experienced some swelling and discomfort along the lines of a bad wasp sting, but was nonetheless standing tall at work 4 hours later. More rolling around on the ground and laughter when I described his snake dance to the rest of the crew, but other than ego bruises no serious side effects.
Lynn