The snake season has begun;
This is what to do if you come across a snake on a trip
You went for a walk and were bitten by a snake that you are sure is not venomous?
Even in this case, you are in danger.
The spring season is also the season for snakes, and in the spring they are full of venom.
Here are some life-saving tips for travelers who, God forbid, will encounter snakes
Eyal Shapira
11/04/2022
Monday, 11 April 2022, 12:41 Updated: 12:47
Share on Facebook
Share on WhatsApp
Share on Twitter
Share on Email
Share on general
Comments
Comments
A common viper snake swims in a fish pond in the Springs Valley (Photo: Liron Shapira, Society for the Protection of Nature)
Even today, when any kind of information is at our fingertips, there is quite a bit of misinformation regarding the rules of conduct when meeting snakes - whether at home or on a nature walk.
More about Passover in Walla !:
All Passover 2022 Trips All Passover 2022
recipes
in Israel There are 42 species of snakes, only nine of which are venomous.
"The problem is that when you meet a snake, it is very difficult to identify it and know whether it is venomous or not," explains Liad Marom, a consultant in the field of pest control and snake capture.
"Many people think they have been able to identify the snake, but it is a rather difficult task - only a professional will know how to distinguish between species that may look very similar. Sometimes, the differences between a snake of one species or another, may be minimal."
Add to that the excitement and stress of meeting a snake in the wild - and you've got a test recipe for misidentification.
Spring is not only the ultimate hiking season, but also the time when snakes wake up from their winter slumber, with copious venom glands and most importantly - with great hunger.
Liad Marom answers some burning questions on the subject, and also dispels a number of myths.
More on Walla!
He walked in the desert, clung to the rock and realized that he had touched the most venomous snake in Israel
To the full article
More on Walla!
Fear of God: Watch the viper snake swimming in the Valley of the Springs
3 hours in an ambush and then it happened: the snake emerged from the water with the hunt
"Colorful, noble and aggressive": Watch the super-snake captured near the Knesset
Defeat the pain without fear: B-Cure laser in a trial operation at an unprecedented price
Their venom glands are full in the spring and most importantly - they have a great hunger.
Common viper (Photo: Walla! NEWS system, Guy Haimovich)
It is known that in the spring the snakes come out of hiding due to the heat.
It only happens in the desert or also in the north of the country?
"It happens in all parts of the country. And it is also worth knowing that due to the fact that the snake wakes up hungry, he will go out looking for food not only at night but also during the day."
Where are the snakes hiding in nature and in the open?
"Although in nature the chance of meeting snakes is lower than at home or in the yard, but it still exists. They will hide under rocks and large stones, in burrows and also on the treetops. It is interesting to know that we will meet quite a few snakes on vines for example."
Is there an area that is considered more prone to disaster than others?
"Each species of snake in the country has its own living area. For example, we will meet the Hermon viper in the Golan Heights, while we will find the Israeli viper in most parts of the country. "Urban and open areas."
More on Walla!
In the most dangerous spring: tips for travelers who meet a snake on a trip
To the full article
It is precisely in the lowlands that he appears more.
Capturing a viper snake (Photo: Photos by surfers, Dudi Edri)
What is the best way to avoid encountering snakes in the wild?
First and foremost, it is recommended to walk with long pants and closed shoes.
In addition, it is recommended not to walk on unmarked paths or on roads where the vegetation is high, tangled and has many rocks.
Snakes will prefer to stay in undisturbed areas.
By the way, in such an environment they will also be more hidden - and so the encounter with them may be more frightening.
Therefore, stay on the main trails. "
And if you already encounter a snake?
" Just take a step back.
A snake does not attack if it does not feel threatened.
The best advice is not to get too close.
By the way, a walking stick for hiking can be very helpful when meeting a snake - during the encounter, the snake will first meet the stick and not our foot. "
And what about camping?
"Just like the recommendation for a trip on the roads we have already walked before - so too in everything related to camping: avoid setting up a tent in an area with high grass or near rocks. It is better to be in a flat area, and of course - in a regulated overnight parking lot. "At night. The snakes detect infrared radiation, and you are attracted to the heat. That is, to the heat of our body. Of course, do not leave shoes outside the tent, nor debris and food scraps.
Similar to a viper but not venomous and beneficial to humans.
Coin Rage (Photo: Surfers Photos, Dudi Edri)
In case of a hit - what is recommended to do?
First of all, call MDA or contact a medical professional immediately. If the snake is still in the area, it is also very important to photograph it, so that it can be identified and determine how to treat the bite. Immediately afterwards, sit at rest, and try to relax as much as possible. "It is easy, but it is important to know that our stress and motility will increase blood flow, and thus also the flow of venom in our body. In no way do not run, run and get stressed. Just accept the situation and wait for medical help."
Which snake is considered the most dangerous in Israel?
"Ein Gedi resin. It is found in the area of Ein Gedi and Masada, but it is rare to encounter it.
What if I went for a walk and was bitten by a snake that I am one hundred percent sure is not venomous?
"Snake biting requires medical treatment in any situation. Biting snakes that are defined as sub-venomous can also cause systemic infection and real danger."
More on Walla!
Did you meet a snake on a trip?
This way you will easily recognize it
To the full article
A black viper snake, also known as the Ein Gedi resin, in the Judean Desert (Photo: The Society for the Protection of Nature, Barak Bichler)
What common mistakes do hikers make when encountering a snake?
"Whether it was a bite or not, many believe they were able to identify the species of snake. But as I already mentioned, only a skilled professional will know for sure. I hear the phrase 'I thought it was not venomous' dozens of times a year. Another mistake is arrival. "In a situation where the snake feels trapped, because it is pushed into a corner - whether in a tent or in a B&B and anywhere else. Do not get into a situation where it feels threatened. A threatened snake - will attack."
Can a snake feel threatened even if you did not mean it?
"Yes. Take for example a situation where you sleep in a tent and leave your shoes outside the tent. At night a snake may get into a shoe, and in the morning - when you put your foot inside, it will feel threatened and bite you, without you even knowing it existed."
Is it permissible to capture the snake that bit me?
"It is forbidden to try to capture and it is forbidden to harm a snake in any way. It is also dangerous, and it is also an animal that is considered a protected natural value. As such, harming it is prohibited by law."
Liad Marom is the owner of
the Extermination website
- Israel Exterminators' Ranking
Tourism
Passover 2022
Tags
Snakes
Excursions
Snake catcher
