For snake lovers out there are those that accidentally come upon a snake there are some helpful signs that let you know if a snake is about to strike.
So, if you have a pet snake or come across a snake on your property or in the wild, you should be aware of these signs, which will let you know it is time to leave well enough alone.
Strike position
Most of us believe the myth that a snake will only strike from the strike position. This position makes the snake’s body look like an S shape. The body is usually tightly wound with the snake’s head watching you.
However, while there are some snake bites delivered from the strike position, you need to keep in mind that not all snake bites are delivered from the strike position. 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.
As they slowly move their tail, they give themselves time to inch closer to their prey, hopefully not you. You will also notice that the prey has become the focus on the snake. It is watching and following their every movement.
Sometimes you may be able to see the snake panting or becoming excited or stressed. If you see these signs, it is time to slowly back away from the snake.
There are many myths out there about what to look for in a snake to see if it is about to strike you, but you need to do your research and discover the truth from the fiction. Just like people, every snake is different.
There are characteristics to look for that may give you an inclination that this snake is not happy, and since it is not running away, it is probably about to bite me. However, it is not very common that a snake will strike a human, but it is always a possibility. Therefore, you should always use caution when you find yourself near one.
In fact, in the US more than 40% of the people struck by a snake deliberately allow themselves to be put in harm’s way either by trying to catch wild snakes or by haphazardly handling their own dangerous pets.
Even more surprising is that in 40% of those cases the people involved had a blood alcohol level of 0.1% or more. So, play it safe when you are near a snake and leave it alone.
If you want to remove the snake from your property, you should call in your local wildlife professionals. They can id the snake and safely remove it without causing you or the snake any harm.