We haven't been married for a long time but I'm finding out that my wife is terrified of snakes - and getting more so as she gets older. We were at Natural Bridge Va, walking along the wide edged path when some kids coming back said they'd seen some snakes further up the trail. DW stopped there and wouldn't go further, even to reach the actual rock bridge. I walked a mile or so further up and sure enough there was a small snake, 10' off the path minding its own business.To me, camping is getting away and enjoying nature. So, I've resigned myself that any nature walks or hikes through the woods are probably going to be solo.If you are really scared of snakes, are you able to push that aside and enjoy where you are? How do you deal with it? If you are the partner that may respect but aren't actually terrified of 'Mr. no shoulders', how do you deal with it?The other post where someone found a snake in their camper would have resulted in putting a for sale sign on the MOHO and leaving it there.I'm guessing reasoning (they are more afraid of you than you are of them) isn't going to work.

I have been terrified of snakes my entire life. If I saw one at my house, I'd be outta here. We have some acreage and I used to ride the tractor to mow. If I saw a garter snake, I was done... finished.... the end. And I was sitting high on an old, old tractor.I used to not be afraid of heights, but as I've aged I've developed that "quirk", too. And that is getting worse the older I get. I can't even walk in a building higher than the 3rd floor any more. I break out in a cold sweat and freeze - I can not move.Regarding nature hikes -- it will depend on what your wife feels comfortable with. It's not a situation that we have any control over. We go down by the river from time to time, just to sit and watch the boats out on the water. I am not terribly comfortable, as I am constantly scanning the ground for snakes. If one is terrified of something to that extent, pushing them isn't the answer. No one will have any fun.

snakes are the most feared thing on the planet. blame it on the garden of eden if you like. I know I don't like them either. I just as soon plug one as look at it.

Dbs, I am also a dw that is terrified of snakes, can't see them on tv, I make my dh tear out those pages in a photography magazines i get...you get the idea. In this case, my dh would probably go ahead and if safe, get the snake out of the path. I would then probably tread very cautiously along the path keeping close watc but if there were more obstacles, I'd be done.Other than that, i don't know what to tell you. I'm an amateur photographer who spent 2 wks in the SW and luckily didn't come across any snakes, maybe I was lucky. I truly understand your wife's fear, but in this case, patience from my dh is truly a blessing.

Lol.....I can't mow my yard without seeing a snake or two.

My wife hates worms more than snakes.

Snakes | Good Sam Community

Don_Shar
Explorer
May 26, 2013
My wife and I have never been afraid of snakes, but keep a healthy respect for the venomous type. I will by pass a rattlesnake until he gets in my space then I will kill him. Here is one we got in south texas , 5 1/2 footer with 16 rattles.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
May 26, 2013
Don

That looks like a lot of lip smacking gooood fried rattler
Vulcaneer
Explorer
May 26, 2013
Read the letters to make the sentence.

A B C D SNAKE?

L M N O SNAKE.

O S A R

O...I C M.

C M E D B D I'S?

O...S! I C M E D B D I's 2.
TOMMY47
Explorer
May 26, 2013
A phobia of snakes is a psychological issus. IF, you want to end it, see a shrink.
In areas where there are few poisonous snakes, I don't pay much attention.
In areas where poisonous snakes could be, I pay close attention, like I do to aligators. Give them a wide berth.
I don't kill stuff for fun if they are just doing their thing AND not attacking me. I swerved to avoid a snake in the road a couple of weeks back.
bigred1cav
Explorer
May 26, 2013
Use a walking stick and hit the brush, snakes are more afraid of you than you are of them. Tell her to be afraid of that which can kill and eat her not a little snake that only wants a way out.

If she encounters a Grizzly Bear tell her she has to outrun the last person in the party.
Wills6_4_Hemi
Explorer
May 26, 2013
We have a corn snake that is our oldest sons pet since he was 12 and he is now 22. he nolonger lives at home but the snake (betty) still does. I like all non poisenus snakes,I dont mind the rattlers as they have always warned me where they are BUT those DANG copperheads will lay in place and before you see them you are bite. My oldest son and I have both been bite once and it feels like someone injected fire into you. our dogs get bite nearly every year so I kill every copperhead I can find. Snakes in general dont bother me as they have there place in mother nature.
VAfan
Explorer
May 27, 2013
I can relate dbs944. The DW is petrified of snakes and if one is around it seems to want to find her. She will go on walks with me but is constantly looking around and will clap her hands if the path gets narrow.
It’s frustrating but I’ve learned what the limits are and she tries to push herself. She is getting better as we see more. We had a huge black snake slither through our campsite at First Landing SP while we were sitting under the awning several years ago and we are still going back.
Any serious hiking / biking is done solo while she shops…works for us.
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
May 27, 2013
I'm not wild about snakes but we live in their territory (Southern California Desert). In 17 yrs. at our home, I've seen three or four rattlers at the house and one king snake. The rattlers want to get away from you asap! The king snakes are not poisonous as they are constrictors.

The only times the snakes come around is when we are not at the house for months at a time. Once we are back home, I think they sense the vibrations and move on. We also have rabbits, scorpions, tarantellas, bobcats, raccoons and black widow spiders. I catch mice in the garage on the glue traps every now and then. You do not want the mice to get in your car engine as they will sharpen their teeth on your wiring.

MM.
pkunk
Explorer
May 28, 2013
Here at home at over 8000ft we seldom see any variety of snake (maybe a garter snake) but out towards the Rio Grande Gorge (now the Rio Grande National Monument) rattlers are frequent in the warmer weather. Grilled rattlesnake meat is delicious!
Jloucks
Explorer
Jun 07, 2013
My phobia is hornets and wasps. How do I deal with it? Typically by running and screaming like a six year old girl. Typically. As in, always.

I don't let it stop me overall tho.

I just plan on doing lots of running and screaming.

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