Snakes are some of the most fascinating and incredibly unique animals on the planet. No other creature arouses people's interest and terror like a long, flexible snake. Furthermore, few creatures are as well suited to hiding in virtually any situation as snakes. Thanks to their low, flat bodies, most snakes can, if they want, crawl, without making the slightest noise, and without the slightest chance of being discovered. To try to find one, you will need intelligence, keen eyes and this article.
Steps
Step 1. Make sure you are in a good location
Do some research on snakes in your area beforehand; are there snakes in the areas around your home? What species? If there is any mention of venomous snakes of any species in your area, immediately find out which ones they are, and memorize them to learn how to identify venomous snakes in general. You don't want to risk it - take a book on snake types on your quest.
Step 2. Check the time
Snakes are usually most active in early summer or around late spring. It's when they're waking up from winter, so they'll be out of the woods and go hunting. That doesn't mean they're going to be moving around a lot though, they're not just basking in the sun, so stay alert.
Step 3. Prepare yourself
If you're planning on going further than your own backyard, you're going to need a variety of things; a cell phone to call if you are bitten is especially important for your safety. Wear long pants, and if possible, thick boots. If you're thinking about touching snakes (which you shouldn't do unless you're trained), then dress appropriately in the arms. Thick gloves and long sleeves will do. As mentioned earlier, you'll want to bring a book about snakes, even if you're just looking in the back of your house.
Step 4. Start looking for them
- Sunny areas can be a good place to start; snakes bask in the sun for a long time, but if you're looking in early summer, they'll probably be more agitated.
- Look in cool, dark areas, but don't put your arm in those areas, light a flashlight first. Just because you can't see a snake at first doesn't mean there isn't one there.
- Along rocks and under rocks are good places to look. If possible, use a large stick to move rocks away so that when you scare a snake from under a rock, your hand won't be near it.
- "'No'" go digging under the dry leaves and branches, as you will be tempted to do. If you do, you will be putting yourself in extreme danger. You won't know if there's a snake on the leaves you just pushed away, or if there's a logo under the leaf you're about to take, and you won't know what kind of snake it is, either. By the time you see the snake, it might as well have seen you as a danger and attack.
Step 5. Watch the snake
If you want to take a picture, it will be without a flash, of course. Snakes are wild animals, so don't make any sudden movements, and always remember that some snakes can crawl as fast, or faster, than a human can walk, so be smart.
Notices
- Some snakes are extremely dangerous - if you have little or no experience observing or catching snakes, always have someone close by.
- If you decide to take photographs or videos of the snake, you will want to have someone else around to pay attention to the snake. It can be difficult to see the warning signs of an impending attack through a viewfinder or while distracted by a camera.
- Never pick up a snake from the ground unless you have been properly instructed.
- Never harm the snake, if you do, it could bite you.