Snakes

Never.

no

Have always lived by the philosophy that if I make my presents known snakes will get out of my way. Usually works for me.

SNAKES are coming alive around here as we speak... I am always careful where I step no matter where I am at...

Having lived in North Texas and Arizona we are quite aware of the snakes and spiders...

Its the ones I don't see that bothers me the most... Was setup Tent camping here in Virginia one time and i walked back into camp and saw a large snake coiled up under momabear sitting in her folding chair. I very carefully told she has a snake under her folding chair and to get up very easy. We was successful and I flipped the snake into the creek water... I was afraid it was going to get under our tent floor setup set haha... Had another encounter at ELKMONT inside the Smoky Natl Park of recent times... They like sunning on the rocks around the water on cool days I guess...

Just got to keep a close watch of what is around you when in the woods...

Roy Ken

YES a 5 ft Rattle Snake - right in the heart of Phoenix!

I had a lawn service in Phoenix and saw them all.

If you are hiking on heavily used paths you most likely will be alright. IF you are hiking off of the beaten path, you can purchase leather gaiters.

Snake Protection Gaiters

There was a reason cowboys and Indians wore high leather boots.

In the south west, snakes, Scorpions, and tarantulas can all be found in urban and suburban environments not just the desert.

I live in a small town near the woods/mountains. Snakes are common, like it was said, it's the ones you don't see that cause concern.
I know several who have found Rattlesnakes in their homes. At least they make noise, the Copperheads are quiet.
But, they're not a problem today. We have about 4 inches of snow and it's still coming down.
This is we never-ending winter. :(

Snakes normally stay away from human habitations. The more human presence the less snakes. Yes, you could run across one on a seldom used trail. They try to avoid human contact and if sure of the opportunity they will slither away from you. If feeling trapped they will confront you. The biggest chance of encounters is during or immediately after severe weather when they may have been driven out of their normally secure habitat. Continental US poisonous snakes are rattlesnakes, copperheads, water moccasins and coral snakes.

I sure don't want to step on one or risk a bite. However in 40+ years of RVing all over the country including prime snake country in Everglades NP we have only seen a handful of snakes; maybe a dozen and only 1 clearly poisonous 1, a rattlesnake in the campground in Everglades NP. So, no fear. Just watch where you walk. Actually I see many more snakes around some private ponds I fish in Illinois but not poisonous.

We run into more rattles snakes in the Dakotas than we did in the Southwest. But we do spend a lot more time in the Dakotas every year. I worry more about our Golden being bitten. I teach him back home in PA to stay away from all snakes. But it's the ones we come across expectantly that may become a problem.

We are big hikers in the southwestern states - Arizona, Utah, etc. We've never encountered a snake on the trail. Not to say they're not there. We have seen snakes in the roads absorbing the heat.

The main thing is to watch where you sit to have a snack/lunch break. Check around that boulder carefully.

We also geocache a lot but in snake season we don't look for one that we'd have to put our hands in a hole to find the cache. :) That's a winter pastime in the southwest.

By the way, where did you see a copperhead? I've seen them in Missouri but not the southwest.