If you are in a desert, how do you avoid the poisonous snakes?

Question

Do they mainly come out at night and how do you tell where they are hiding?

Answer 1

Generally, THEY will avoid YOU. They cannot 'hear' your approach, as they have no ears and are deaf to airborne sound, but they will detect the vibrations of your footsteps, realize you are something large and potentially dangerous, and move away. Remember that snakes are not out to get you - they would much rather avoid confrontation than tangle with you, and will normally only bite in self-defence. If you leave them alone, they'll leave you alone.

Answer 2

The snakes want to avoid you even more than you want to avoid them.  If they hear you coming they will move out of the way.  If you are about to step on them they will warn you(the rattlers). You are unlikely to see them unless you know where to look.

Answer 3

Snakes can be nocturnal when it's really hot. (Of course, not all deserts are hot.) You rarely see a snake out and about; they tend to hide among rocks and in the shadows, avoiding anything alive that clearly has no prey potential. They're also avoiding being prey.

I lived in the desert until I was 29 and never once saw a snake in the wild, although I did a fair amount of hiking. I see more snakes when I'm exercise walking on the very tame Erie Canal.

Answer 4

poisonous snakes have a really bad reputation for being man killers that are only alive to attack you. but in reality, if you don't bother them, they shouldn't bother you. snakes only attack people in defense if they feel like they are being threatened. It is merely their way of defending themselves, and they are quite a bit more scared of you than you are of them. so basically, watch where youre walking, and don't get in their way, and they wont bother you. be careful.

as far as their habits, different snakes have different behaviour. some snakes come out during the day, some come out at night. they usually like to hide in rocks or cracks, something they can wedge their body into. but they will occasionally come out to bask in the sun, as they are cold blooded and need to regulate their body temperature by using their surroundings.

hope that helps!

Answer 5

In deserts, Rattlesnakes usually live under or on rocks, or a place where they can sunbathe.

You will rarely find a posionous snake near water, unless they are coral snakes, etc.

Just don't step on them or try to pick them up...

Answer 6

My first time to go to this site, so please bear with me.

Snakes, like other cold blooded animals are going to be out in the sun in cool times of the year.  This means they often sun themselves on rocks or logs or even up in something higher.  Most of them will run away when they hear you coming.  In the hotter times of the year they will get under the rocks or trees for shade as they can get over heated.  The rattlesnake makes noise when you are getting too close.  A good rule of thumb is to remember most of them will be able to strike about 1/3 of their body length.  A 9 foot snake can strike at least 3 feet.  

Try to not walk through brush or in areas with lots of rocks where they like to hide from us.  Do not stick your hand under things you can not see, like rocks, and especially do not stick your hand in a hole or burrow.  No way to tell what is in there.

If you are camping, be sure to zip up the tent bottom and flaps to keep unwanted cold blooded creatures from seaking your warm body heat in the night.  Shake out boots before putting them on - this avoids scorpion stings.

Do not let untrained dogs loose where snakes may interest them.  The dog goes up to smell it and gets bit.  There are trainers in AZ that will put your dog through their course to teach them to avoid snakes.

There are other quieter snakes, but just stay in the open and keep your eyes and ears open.  Do not make them feel trapped or cornered.  Any animal may strike at you if they feel that way.  You will not likely see anything of real danger, but if you do - respect it and keep your distance!

Answer 7

There are NO poisonous snakes. It is even safe to milk VENOMOUS snakes and drink the venom. Maryn and Rex have excellent advise about avoiding venomous snakes. You are much more likely to become dehydrated or lost than ever see a snake in the desert.

Answer 8

yes they are venomous not poisonous drinking venom will have no effects unless you had open wounds in your mouth.

spite the fact they are coldbloodeded they often dont come out when its really hot expecially in the middle of the day, they usually come out in the evening or early morining when it is much cooler.  

that doenst mean you can disturb them though, they often hide under rocks in crevasses under a bush or plant, burrowing under the sand if their is loose sand, stepping on them will more then likley end in them biting you.

the chances are you will never come across one, the others are right dieing because of lack of water will be the cause of the death