Snakes. They’re scaly, cold-blooded, fascinating creatures. They smell with their tongue, and some have thermal vision. They also “hear” by sensing vibration, and swallow their prey whole. Despite these characteristics, however, you shouldn’t be scared if you happen upon one while exploring one of America’s national parks.
But if you do have a fear of snakes (known as ophidiophobia), you should know there are some national parks that are well-known among snake experts (known as herpetologists) as having an abundance of reptile life.
“The part of the U.S. where we probably have the most venomous snake species is the southwest, particularly the desert,” Dr. John C. Maerz, a Dennis and Sarah Carey distinguished professor of forestry and natural resources at the University of Georgia, shared with Travel + Leisure. And while there’s no hard and fast data about which national park has the most snakes, Maerz said he “would think someplace like Big Bend National Park would probably be the snakiest national park in North America.”
As Maerz explained, in the Texas park, you’re likely to find “close to half of all the snake species we know of in the U.S.,” including the western diamondback, Trans-Pecos copperhead, and regal ringneck. And he’s far from alone in this line of thinking.
“Venomous snakes are found in nearly all 50 states, and while comprehensive data on snake populations within specific national parks is limited, certain parks are likely to have higher snake diversity due to climate and terrain,” said Dr. Timothy Platts-Mills, an emergency physician, a global health researcher, and the chief medical officer at Ophirex, a public benefit corporation developing the first oral rescue treatment for snakebites. He listed Big Bend as a top contender, along with Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee, the Grand Canyon and Saguaro, both in Arizona, and Congaree in South Carolina, as places with “populations of venomous snakes.”
Melissa Amarello, the executive director at Advocates for Snake Preservation, agreed with these destinations, adding Everglades National Park in Florida to her list, too.
As for why snakes seem to congregate here, Forrest Galante, an outdoor adventurer and wildlife biologist, explained that they all have “warm climates, varied habitats, and healthy ecosystems,” which means “snakes are doing exactly what they’re supposed to do.”
Amarello explained, “Snakes are supposed to live in national parks. Like all native wildlife, snakes are protected in national parks because they are an important part of a healthy, functioning ecosystem.”
If you do spot one, Amarello said it’s critical to not “approach, harass, handle, or kill” it, as this is “how most bites happen.” She added, “Consider yourself lucky. Snakes are secretive, spend much of their time hiding, and have excellent camouflage, so it’s a real treat to see one in the wild.”
It’s also important, according to Amarello, to “remain calm and enjoy the snakes safely by staying at least six feet away. That will keep you outside striking range for venomous snakes in the U.S.”
Instead of getting closer, she added, use binoculars, if you have them. This may allow you to “see snakes sparring over mates, drinking rain, caring for their kids, or even babysitting.”
And if you are bitten? “[In most cases], you can’t know immediately if a snakebite is mild or severe, so you should seek medical care immediately for any snakebite,” said Platts-Mills. Have someone drive you to the nearest emergency room or ask a park ranger for assistance; they can call 911 and poison control to locate the closest facility that can administer antivenom.
“If you’re in a remote area, request help from others and make a call for medical assistance as soon as you can,” added Platts-Mills. “Despite what we may have seen in the movies, there’s not much you can do in the field to treat a venomous snakebite. Suction devices don’t work. The most important thing you can do is avoid increasing your heart rate or engaging in vigorous physical activity—don’t run off the trail.” That’s because, when your heart rate increases, blood flow “accelerates and circulates the venom more rapidly through your body, which is exactly what you don’t want.”
Peter Gros, a veteran wildlife expert and co-host at Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild,” noted this is why it’s key to be prepared before heading out for a hike in the first place.
“As an avid hiker, I always encourage people to plan ahead. Know where the nearest ranger station or emergency services are before you set out, and carry essentials like a charged cell phone or satellite communicator, a basic first-aid kit, and plenty of water,” said Gros. He reiterated, “There’s no effective field treatment for snakebites, but calm decision making and planning can help make a meaningful difference.”
But, again, the most critical thing to remember is getting bitten by a venomous snake in the U.S. is exceedingly rare.
“The number of people that are envenomated by a snake in the U.s. every year is trivial. We average less than one death a year,” said Maerz. “It’s not a rational risk in North America.”
Read the full article here