Difference between revisions of "Find a Snake"
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| − | Snakes are very interesting creatures that seem to inspire either fear or curiosity in people. Snakes can be found nearly all over the planet, with over 3,000<ref>http://www.livescience.com/27845-snakes.html</ref> known species. As long as you don't look in colder climates, there is a good chance that you can find snakes nearby. Learning where they live and when to look can help your search be a safe and successful one. | + | Snakes are very interesting creatures that seem to inspire either fear or curiosity in people. Snakes can be found nearly all over the planet, with over 3,000<ref name="rf1">http://www.livescience.com/27845-snakes.html</ref> known species. As long as you don't look in colder climates, there is a good chance that you can find snakes nearby. Learning where they live and when to look can help your search be a safe and successful one. |
| − | [[Category:Snakes]] | + | [[Category: Snakes]] |
==Steps== | ==Steps== | ||
===Planning Your Search=== | ===Planning Your Search=== | ||
| − | #Research which snakes live near you. Before you go looking for snakes, it's a good idea to learn more about the snakes that live in your area. This information can help you make it easier to locate the snake and avoid any snakes that are dangerous. Try learning more about which snakes you might want to find to make your search a successful one.<ref>http://journal.alltrails.com/post/36845662227/how-to-find-snakes</ref> | + | #Research which snakes live near you. Before you go looking for snakes, it's a good idea to learn more about the snakes that live in your area. This information can help you make it easier to locate the snake and avoid any snakes that are dangerous. Try learning more about which snakes you might want to find to make your search a successful one.<ref name="rf2">http://journal.alltrails.com/post/36845662227/how-to-find-snakes</ref> |
#*Learn how to [[Identify a Venomous Snake|identify venomous snakes]]. | #*Learn how to [[Identify a Venomous Snake|identify venomous snakes]]. | ||
#*Researching which snakes live in your area can help you identify them quickly in the field. | #*Researching which snakes live in your area can help you identify them quickly in the field. | ||
#*Try to learn which habitats snakes might live in. Some species may like to rest in thick grass while others tend to hide under rocks. | #*Try to learn which habitats snakes might live in. Some species may like to rest in thick grass while others tend to hide under rocks. | ||
| − | #*Nerodia Clarkii, Nerodia Cyclopion and Nerodia fasciata all live near water.<ref>http://www.livescience.com/52768-water-snake-facts.html</ref> | + | #*Nerodia Clarkii, Nerodia Cyclopion and Nerodia fasciata all live near water.<ref name="rf3">http://www.livescience.com/52768-water-snake-facts.html</ref> |
| − | #*Garter snakes can be found in many different habitats. Try looking in fields, woodlands, or any where near water sources.<ref>http://www.livescience.com/44072-garter-snake.html</ref> | + | #*Garter snakes can be found in many different habitats. Try looking in fields, woodlands, or any where near water sources.<ref name="rf4">http://www.livescience.com/44072-garter-snake.html</ref> |
| − | #*Milk snakes can live in a variety of habitats as well. However, you can generally find them in areas that offer prey items like rats or other reptiles.<ref>https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10370_12145_12201-61211--,00.html</ref> | + | #*Milk snakes can live in a variety of habitats as well. However, you can generally find them in areas that offer prey items like rats or other reptiles.<ref name="rf5">https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10370_12145_12201-61211--,00.html</ref> |
#Pick an area to search. After you know which snakes you might want to find, you can begin to plan your search area. Take a look at some maps of your nearby areas to learn where you might want to begin looking. Try to find an area that is likely to be a good match to those habitats your snake is known to live in. | #Pick an area to search. After you know which snakes you might want to find, you can begin to plan your search area. Take a look at some maps of your nearby areas to learn where you might want to begin looking. Try to find an area that is likely to be a good match to those habitats your snake is known to live in. | ||
#*Look on a map to find areas like swamps or forests to start looking in. | #*Look on a map to find areas like swamps or forests to start looking in. | ||
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#*Taking a compass, map, and guidebook can be good ideas. | #*Taking a compass, map, and guidebook can be good ideas. | ||
#*Take some kind of light source with you. | #*Take some kind of light source with you. | ||
| − | #*Wear long pants and tall boots. Both should be made form sturdy material.<ref>http://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/snake-safety.htm</ref> | + | #*Wear long pants and tall boots. Both should be made form sturdy material.<ref name="rf6">http://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/snake-safety.htm</ref> |
#*Bring a field guide with you to help identify snakes that you find. | #*Bring a field guide with you to help identify snakes that you find. | ||
#*If it's an area with a lot of sunlight, wear sunscreen to prevent skin damage. | #*If it's an area with a lot of sunlight, wear sunscreen to prevent skin damage. | ||
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#*Have a long stick or pole to move rocks or logs when looking for snakes. | #*Have a long stick or pole to move rocks or logs when looking for snakes. | ||
===Searching For a Snake=== | ===Searching For a Snake=== | ||
| − | #Wait for the right temperature. Snakes are cold blooded and will be more or less active depending on the temperature. It's important that you plan your search for a day that has the ideal temperature for a snake hunt. Keep some of these tips in mind when looking for snakes:<ref | + | #Wait for the right temperature. Snakes are cold blooded and will be more or less active depending on the temperature. It's important that you plan your search for a day that has the ideal temperature for a snake hunt. Keep some of these tips in mind when looking for snakes:<ref name="rf2" /><ref name="rf7">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w43aAHglq3A</ref> |
#*Snakes will take shelter during extremely hot temperatures. | #*Snakes will take shelter during extremely hot temperatures. | ||
#*During cold months, snakes will hibernate in their dens. | #*During cold months, snakes will hibernate in their dens. | ||
#*Most snakes will bask in the warm sun. | #*Most snakes will bask in the warm sun. | ||
| − | #Go at the right time. Different snakes will be more or less active depending on the time of day. Some snakes are active during the day while other are nocturnal hunters. Depending on the type of snake you are looking for, make sure you are searching at the right time of day.<ref | + | #Go at the right time. Different snakes will be more or less active depending on the time of day. Some snakes are active during the day while other are nocturnal hunters. Depending on the type of snake you are looking for, make sure you are searching at the right time of day.<ref name="rf2" /> <ref name="rf7" /><ref name="rf8">http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/snakes.html</ref> |
#*Snakes may be more active at night during warmer months. | #*Snakes may be more active at night during warmer months. | ||
#*Most snakes won't be very active during the hottest time of day. | #*Most snakes won't be very active during the hottest time of day. | ||
#*Many snakes are nocturnal hunters and will be most active at night. | #*Many snakes are nocturnal hunters and will be most active at night. | ||
| − | #Look in places snakes are found in. Most snakes will have a preferred area or environment that they spend their time in. These areas may be used for basking, hunting, nesting, or resting. Knowing how to spot a snakes favored areas can help you locate them more easily. Try looking for snakes in some of these areas:<ref>http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/snakes/tips/solving_problems_snakes.html</ref><ref>http://animals.mom.me/snakes-shelter-wild-11802.html</ref> | + | #Look in places snakes are found in. Most snakes will have a preferred area or environment that they spend their time in. These areas may be used for basking, hunting, nesting, or resting. Knowing how to spot a snakes favored areas can help you locate them more easily. Try looking for snakes in some of these areas:<ref name="rf9">http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/snakes/tips/solving_problems_snakes.html</ref><ref name="rf10">http://animals.mom.me/snakes-shelter-wild-11802.html</ref> |
#*In piled up rocks or logs. | #*In piled up rocks or logs. | ||
#*Tall grass. | #*Tall grass. | ||
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#*They may live around your house as well. Check in any small cracks or spaces under floorboards. | #*They may live around your house as well. Check in any small cracks or spaces under floorboards. | ||
===Encountering a Snake=== | ===Encountering a Snake=== | ||
| − | #Don't touch the snake. Whenever you are looking for snakes, it's important that you never attempt to touch them or get too close. Although not all snakes are venomous, they can all bite you and some may carry diseases. Stay safe by never touching or picking up any snakes you find during your searches.<ref | + | #Don't touch the snake. Whenever you are looking for snakes, it's important that you never attempt to touch them or get too close. Although not all snakes are venomous, they can all bite you and some may carry diseases. Stay safe by never touching or picking up any snakes you find during your searches.<ref name="rf6" /><ref name="rf2" /> |
#*Probe any areas with a stick or pole when searching for snakes. | #*Probe any areas with a stick or pole when searching for snakes. | ||
#*Never use your hands to search for a snake. | #*Never use your hands to search for a snake. | ||
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#*Taking a photo can help you identify it later on. | #*Taking a photo can help you identify it later on. | ||
#*You can keep a record of your photos to learn which snakes seem to be more common in your area. | #*You can keep a record of your photos to learn which snakes seem to be more common in your area. | ||
| − | #Leave things as you found them. Part of responsibly visiting natural areas is leaving things as you found them. Chances are you will be moving stones, logs, or debris to find snakes that might be hiding. It's a good practice to put any stones or logs back where you found them to prevent disturbing the environment more than is needed.<ref>https://lnt.org/learn/7-principles</ref> | + | #Leave things as you found them. Part of responsibly visiting natural areas is leaving things as you found them. Chances are you will be moving stones, logs, or debris to find snakes that might be hiding. It's a good practice to put any stones or logs back where you found them to prevent disturbing the environment more than is needed.<ref name="rf11">https://lnt.org/learn/7-principles</ref> |
#*Move away slowly and carefully from any snakes you may encounter. | #*Move away slowly and carefully from any snakes you may encounter. | ||
#*Never leave any garbage or belongings behind. | #*Never leave any garbage or belongings behind. | ||
#*Ideally, you should avoid moving any logs or stones while looking for snakes. | #*Ideally, you should avoid moving any logs or stones while looking for snakes. | ||
| − | #Deal with a snake bite. Although you can be as careful as possible during a snake hunt, accidents can still happen. Getting bitten by a snake can be a serious and immediate medical emergency if it was venomous. Being prepared can help you handle such an emergency. Review these basic tips to help you stay calm and get help if you are bitten by a snake:<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-snake-bites/basics/art-20056681</ref> | + | #Deal with a snake bite. Although you can be as careful as possible during a snake hunt, accidents can still happen. Getting bitten by a snake can be a serious and immediate medical emergency if it was venomous. Being prepared can help you handle such an emergency. Review these basic tips to help you stay calm and get help if you are bitten by a snake:<ref name="rf12">http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-snake-bites/basics/art-20056681</ref> |
#*Stay calm and leave the snake. | #*Stay calm and leave the snake. | ||
#*'''Call 911 or 1-800-222-1222 (poison control).''' | #*'''Call 911 or 1-800-222-1222 (poison control).''' | ||
