Water Snakes

All snakes can swim, their anatomy allows them to hunt both on land and in water, and there are species which surely prefer water as their main life environment. Fresh water snakes are usually waiting for their prey under tree branches fallen in water or underneath overhanging trees. Hence, when you go fishing, you need to do pretty much the same thing as when you go in the wild on land and do your best to stay away from snakes. Some species cling to tree branches and drop in the water only when they detect movement; this is pretty risky if you get one of these poisonous species into your boat. It will surely be a challenge to get rid of a scared snake threatening you in your own canoe.

Some water snakes are harmless to humans while others are a real threat. If we consider for instance water snakes living in open seas, then, keep in mind the fact that they have been rated among the most venomous creatures on earth. Sea water snakes are so lethal as the concentration of the toxins has been adapted to their life environment: they have to strike fast and kill as fast or they lose the prey in the depth of the ocean. Nevertheless, chances of getting bitten by salt water snakes are lower than encountering a water moccasin. Most of the advice given in survival guides consequently refers to the ways to deal with fresh water snakes that hunt in rivers, lakes or wetlands.

One great tip is to always have some form of handled reptile grip tool if you cannot avoid overhanging branches when you go boating. Practice with small and large hose pieces before you launch the canoe, so as to be prepared for the least friendly of encounters. If you spot water snakes swimming, these are not a threat to you, if you are on boat as they cannot jump out of the water. In case you get bitten, an identification of the snake would be of much help in case you need to administrate an antivenin.

The bite of nonvenomous water snakes usually looks like a horse shoe-shaped area of tiny punctures that may be bleeding or not. In case you get only two punctured wounds, then you most probably have been bitten by a venomous snake and you need to get to an emergency room immediately. A venom removal pump should always be present in the first aid kit as a means of delaying the spreading of the toxin in the blood and thus earning some more time before getting to a medical facility.