Do Hiking Boots Prevent Snake Bites?

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Most people who hike regularly have probably come across snakes one or two times while hiking. If you are not aware of your surroundings it is possible to be bitten by snakes.

In as much as your hiking boots are majorly made with leather, do they actually prevent snake bites? If so, what gear can hiking boots be worn with to ensure total protection against snake bites?

Let us dig in.

Do Hiking Boots Prevent Snake Bites?

Snake bites are very harmful to humans, out of the over three thousand species we have on earth. There are about six hundred and fifty species that are extremely venomous. Even though science has been able to come up with different antivenoms against these positioned snakes, it is very lethal to be bitten while hiking, especially since every anti-venom is unique to the venom.

The most important gear while going hiking is the boots, they are very important to how an adventure is going to be a good one or a bad one. However, do they prevent snake bites if you are ever bitten by one? 

According to several experts, hiking boots are great protection against snake bites. They not only help to protect your feet and ankles from being injured but they also prevent injury from harmful substances, like snake venom.

Even though hiking is an activity that should be enjoyed by many people, it can be very dangerous if you do not have the proper gear on. This is why it is very important to make sure that you have a good pair of hiking boots on at all times.

Many people are concerned with hiking boots and snake bites. Since snakes are one of the most dangerous animals on the planet, it can be seen that many people live in fear when they go hiking. Not only do they hate being eaten by a snake, but they also do not like being hurt by these creatures while they are just doing something that they enjoy and should be able to do without any problems. 

In order to properly protect yourself against the bite of a snake while you are hiking, you need well-made boots. Hiking boots that can provide full knee and lower leg protection. The upper part of the boot should be able to provide support for your ankles and feet. The top part of the shoe can protect your ankles from different kinds of injuries such as sprains, twisting, and breaking.

When it comes to hiking in the woods you need to make sure that you have a good pair of boots on, ones that will cover your feet and help them from being injured by bad terrain or from getting cut by different kinds of sharp objects.

When you are hiking in the woods, you have to make sure that you have a pair of boots that will protect your feet and ankles. These incidents can cause severe injuries, even death if not taken care of right away. This is why it is very important to protect yourself against snake bites while you are doing something that is enjoyed by many different people all over the world, hiking.

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How to Prevent Snake Bite While Hiking?

There is one fear that can be argued to be innate amongst most hikers, and it is the fear of being bitten by snakes, especially lethal or venomous snakes. There are several ways to protect yourself from being bitten by a snake. You have to use the necessary or wear the necessary gear. Also, venomous snakes are very easy to identify, they usually have a triangular head with thin pupils ranging from green to yellow.

Here are ways you can use to prevent a snake bite while hiking.

  • Hiking Boots: these are very important while hiking, you need to make sure they have a strong leathery feature on the outside. You need to be certain that they are impenetrable to a snake’s fang. You also need to get yourself boots with high ankle protection.
  • Gaiters: these are a piece of clothing worn to cover the skin below your trouser length and the height of your hiking boot. There are very important against snakes bites, not only do they protect you from bites, but they also protect you from other venomous creatures
  • Long Thick layer socks: in the absence of gaiters, these can also be used to prevent snake bites while hiking.
  • Know your trailing routes: If you can, make sure you find out from people who might have previously trailed the location you are to hike about what harmful creature should you be aware of.
  • First aid: it is always important to carry first aid equipment in case you ever get bitten. You might be far away from medical care.
  • Snake Repellent: Always have snake repellent in your backpack. They are very useful in steering snakes away from you.

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List Of Most Venomous Snakes

There are over six hundred and fifty venomous snakes. While most of them are lethal, they are not likely to kill you as long as you get medical attention as soon as possible. However, there are some species that if an anti-venom is not injected within seconds of being bitten, there is a strong possibility of losing movement or even your life.

Here are 9 of the most lethal snakes on earth;

  • Black Mamba: The black mamba’s favourite habitat is mostly rocky places, it can mostly be seen on the ground. It has colours ranging from grey to dark brown. This snake is large and quick. It has a very potent venom that kills most of its human victims.
  • The Barba Amarilla: This snake is very aggressive and it likes entering human residences. Their venom is very painful and deadly.
  • The Boomslang: This snake hunts from a tree, it extends its body and delivers poisonous venoms. It usually chews on the victim until its poison reaches the victim’s heart.
  • The eastern tiger snake: This is a type of cobra, it flattens its head when it is about to attack.
  • The Saw Scaled Viper: This may be the venomous snake of them all. Researchers believe they are the cause of more human deaths than other snakes combined. Its venom is very lethal in its victims and it is also very aggressive, meaning it will bite continuously before releasing its venom
  • The Banded Krait: This is a type of cobra, its venom causes paralysis.
  • The King Cobra: This is the longest venomous snake in the world. It releases a large amount of paralyzing neurotoxins. The king cobra’s venom is so powerful that it can kill an elephant within hours. Its venom results in 50 to 60 per cent cases of human deaths.
  • Inland Taipan: its venom causes paralysis as well as haemorrhaging in the blood vessel and tissues.
  • Coastal Taipan: this is the largest cobra family. Its venom is very identical to that of inland taipan. Its bite is very lethal.

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Conclusion

Snake bites while hiking can be very lethal and sometimes, they can lead to death if not treated immediately.

Before going on a hiking adventure, make sure your hiking boots are very durable and impenetrable to snake bites. Also, make sure you take the necessary precautions as listed above.

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Written by Jane Miller

I'm Nomadic Jane, a digital nomad and travel blogger. Since 2009, I've been traveling the world and exploring cultures through my travel blog.