Ever since snakes got a lot of bad press as too dangerous to keep, they have been all the rage again. There are so many different species and levels of difficulty that people will never run out of options for interesting snake-filled adventures.
The “art of manliness snake bite” is a blog that provides information on the art of living with snakes. The blog includes topics such as how to care for your snake, what snakes eat and more.
You’re out on a camping vacation with your mates, reconnecting with nature and your manhood. You’re on a day trek to visit some old Indian hieroglyphics when two razor-sharp teeth pierce your body, causing excruciating agony. You were recently bitten by a snake. Do you have any idea what to do?
Even the most manly spine may quiver at the sight of a writhing snake. With just one taste, these footless, cold-blooded serpents may suffocate your life in only a few hours. While approximately 9-15 people die from snake bites in the United States each year, if you don’t know how to treat them properly, you or a loved one might be one of them. Manly knowledge includes how to cope with snakes and snakebites.
The greatest approach to prevent being bitten in the first place is to avoid being bitten in the first place. So, in Part 1 of the Art of Manliness’ Guide to Snakes, we’ll give you a rundown of all the bad guys to be aware of.
We’ll talk about how to avoid becoming a snake’s lunch in Part 2 and how to treat a bite if you do get bitten.
Know Who Your Opponent Is
If you were a Boy Scout, you presumably learned an ancient mnemonic for identifying deadly snakes:
Jack’s pal in red and black. Kill a fellow with red and yellow.
Or, to put it another way, if a snake’s skin contains adjacent red and black hues, it isn’t deadly. If the colors red and yellow are close together, the snake is poisonous. You’re beyond basic maxims as a man, however. You want to learn how to recognize and name snakes. You’re curious about your adversaries’ tendencies. So, here’s a rundown of the different venomous snakes that may be found in North America and other parts of the globe.
Snake of the Coral Reef
Know Thy Enemy: Coral snakes have a unique color pattern that makes them simple to identify. They feature red, yellow, and black bands that alternate. Did you understand what I said? Because the colors red and yellow are touching, this bad guy is toxic. Keep your eyes peeled. There are fake corals with red, black, and yellow bands that alternate. These aren’t toxic in any way. Other poisonous snakes are shorter than coral snakes. They’re around 40 inches long on average, with smaller jaws and fangs.
Corals may be found throughout the southern and eastern United States, as well as other parts of the globe. They frequently slither across arid places with a lot of bushes. They spend a lot of time underground or hidden in leaf litter, and they don’t come out very often to say hello. They’re most visible after a rainstorm or during mating season. Some aquatic creatures may also be found in your favorite swimming hole.
How ruthless are they? They aren’t aggressive or likely to bite, but if they do, be careful. Because their venom takes longer to work, they bite hard and don’t let go.
Rattlesnakes
Rattlesnakes are easily recognized because they have a rattle at the end of their tail. When threatened, the rattlesnake shakes its rattle to alert potential predators. Fortunately for us, it’s a quite loud warning, with a peak frequency comparable to that of an ambulance siren. Have you ever wondered what the rattle of a rattlesnake is comprised of? Yeah? I’m in the same boat. It’s made up of of scales that have been changed and sloughed off the tail. A new segment is added each time a rattlesnake loses its skin. The segments vibrate against each other as the snake shakes its tail in the air. Contrary to common perception, counting the number of rattle segments does not indicate a rattlesnake’s age; although they do acquire new segments on a regular basis, they also lose them throughout their travels. A word of caution: if the rattle becomes wet from rain, it will stop emitting its loud alarm. So proceed carefully in such circumstances.
Rattlesnakes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and their range extends from Canada to South America. Three rattlesnake species are found in the United States: the diamondback rattlesnake, the mojave rattlesnake, the sidewinder rattlesnake, and the timber rattlesnake.
The Diamondback Rattlesnake is a kind of rattlesnake.
Know Thy Enemy: Rattlesnakes come in a variety of colors, but they can all be recognized by the diamond pattern on their skin. The majority of diamondbacks are between 3.5 and 5.5 feet long, while the Eastern diamondbacks, which are the largest of the group, have been discovered up to 7 feet long.
Diamondback turtles may be found along the United States’ southern border, from Florida through Baja California and into Mexico. Rattlesnakes like basking in the sun and come out early in the morning or late in the afternoon to do so. As a result, you’ll commonly see them sunbathing on rocky ledges. Despite their lack of climbing ability, species such as the eastern diamond back have been discovered 32 feet above the ground. Eastern diamondbacks slither for miles between islands in the Florida Keys, and some are good swimmers.
How ruthless are they? If given the opportunity, some diamondbacks will flee. They will, however, often maintain their ground and attack again. Stay as far away as possible since they can attack from a distance of up to 2/3 their body size and strike quicker than the human eye can see. They contain some of the most potent venom of any snake, and bite victims may die within hours.
The Rattlesnake of the Mojave
It has grey diamond form marks on its back, similar to the diamondback, although its general colour is more green than brown.
Their habitat: The mojave rattlesnake is typically found in the southwestern United States’ deserts, therefore keep an eye out for one when riding a burro down the Grand Canyon. They may be found in large swaths of desert and often near scrub bush. During the winter, they hibernate.
How ruthless are they? Despite the lack of scientific evidence, mojaves have a reputation for being violent, particularly towards humans.
The Rattlesnake of the Sidewinder
Know Thy Enemy: The sidewinder’s name comes from its characteristic sideways movement. They do this to limit the amount of time they are in touch with the scorching desert sands and to improve the efficiency of their migration. It’s obvious that this monster is a killing machine just by watching it move. The sidewinder is generally 1.5-2 feet long, smaller than its rattling brethren. The light-colored sidewinder has darker bars on its back. Aside from its bizarre sideways locomotion, the sidewinder has another major advantage: it can live in the desert without drinking a drop of water. They receive all of their water from the prey they eat. That’s correct. You’re not just lunch, but also a canteen when a sidewinder sees you going down the street. Keep an eye out.
Their habitat: These snakes may be found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where they live in the desert. The sidewinder is nocturnal during the colder months (about December to February). The remainder of the year, they are diurnal.
How ruthless are they? Although their venom is less than that of their relatives, it still poses a major health risk. Take it easy.
Rattlesnake in the Woods
Know Thy Enemy: Timber rattlesnakes are 3-4 feet long and have yellow, brown, and rust orange coloration. During the American Revolution, the wood rattler was immortalized as the emblem of the “Don’t Tread on Me Flag.” It also performs the function of the First Navy Jack.
The timber rattlesnake, unlike many of its rattlesnake relatives that reside in the deserts of the West, lives in the eastern United States; it is the only rattlesnake to call the Northeast home.
How ruthless are they? Timber rattlers are a mellower kind of rattlesnake, therefore they don’t bite as often as other rattlesnakes. They also prefer to rattle a lot before attacking, allowing you plenty of time to flee.
Cottonmouth Snakes are a kind of snake found in the United States
Know Thy Enemy: The Cottonmouth snake is a terrifying creature. It’s the last thing anybody wants to see crawling toward them at their favorite hangout. Cottonmouth snakes are typically 2 feet long, while some have grown to be almost 6 feet long. Dark crossbands divide their brown, gray, tan, yellowish olive, or blackish coloration. Cottonmouths will thrust their heads back and open their mouth wide when frightened, revealing the white inside that gives the species its name.
Cottonmouths are an aquatic snake that may be found in the south and southeast of the United States. Cottonmouths like to live in creeks, streams, marshes, and lakes, although they may also be found on dry ground. Cottonmouths are sometimes known as water moccasins due to their liking for water. Cottonmouths are active at all times of the day and night. When it’s hot outside, though, they’re normally coiled or spread out in the shade.
How ruthless are they? Despite its terrible reputation, the cottonmouth’s hiss is sometimes more dangerous than its bite. Cottonmouths often put on a flashy threat performance rather than attack. Shaking their tail and letting a musky fluid erupt from their anal glands are part of this practice. The stench of this snake fart has been described to that of a billy goat; hence, if you smell goat, run away.
Copperhead Snakes are venomous snakes that live in the
Copperhead snakes may be distinguished by their coppery colored head and neck. Adults may grow to be 2 to 4 feet long.
Copperheads are mostly found in the eastern section of the United States. They make their homes in the woods and forests. They do, however, like to dwell near water.
How ruthless are they? Copperheads will bite only if they feel threatened, such as if you pick them up or touch them. However, unintentional contact may occur. Copperheads, unlike many other poisonous snakes, will freeze in place when people approach, frequently ending in humans walking on them and being bitten. A copperhead bite is incredibly painful, yet it is not lethal if treated correctly.
Cobras
Because of Johnny and the guys at Cobra Kai Dojo in the Karate Kid, cobras are undoubtedly the most well-known of all the poisonous snakes. (I despise Johnny.) He’s a jerk.) Cobras come in a variety of shapes and sizes. When they feel threatened, they all make the same unique “hood.” Cobras flatten their bodies by extending their ribs to generate this distinctive cobra hood.
The Cobra King
Know Thy Enemy: The King Cobra is the world’s longest poisonous snake, measuring between 12 and 13 feet in length. Their skin is olive green, brown, or black, with light yellow cross bars running down the length of their bodies.
King Cobras may be found in South and Southeast Asia, where they conceal. They may also be found in India in select areas. King Cobras like lush highland woods near rivers and streams to call home.
How ruthless are they? The King Cobra is a frightening mother. The King Cobra is a cannibalistic snake that consumes other snakes in addition to small rodents. While the King Cobra is timid, if provoked, it will attack. The venom of a King Cobra has incredibly powerful neurotoxins that assault the central nervous system of the victim. A full-grown Asian Elephant may be killed by a single bite from a King Cobra. It has the ability to kill a man in half an hour.
The Red Spitting Cobra is a snake that spits red blood.
Know Thy Enemy: Spitting Red Cobras come in a variety of colors, ranging from red to gray. They may reach a length of nearly 4 feet. The capacity of this cobra to “spit” or project venom towards its target is what sets it apart. Keep an eye out!
Red Spitting Cobras are endemic to Africa and are most often seen in the continent’s northeast. They live in the bush and the woods. Because the red spitting cobra is nocturnal, make sure your tent is closed at night.
How ruthless are they? The Red Spitting Cobra, like the King Cobra, is a cautious and shy snake that will only attack if it feels threatened. The venom of the Red Spitting Cobra is significantly weaker than that of the King Cobra, which is very poisonous. A bite from a Red Spitting Cobra may induce severe illness, although it is unlikely to result in death. However, if venom goes into your eyes and isn’t treated swiftly, it might result in blindness, so proceed with care.
The Snake of the Black Mamba
Know Thy Enemy: The black mamba is Africa’s biggest and deadliest snake. It also happens to be the world’s fastest-moving snake. In a nutshell, this snake is a murderer. The Black Mamba’s name comes from the fact that the interior of its mouth is black, not because it has black skin. A black mamba’s skin is really gray to olive green in color. Black mambas may grow to reach between 7 and 13 feet in length.
Black mambas live in Africa’s grasslands, which is where they hide. They’re mostly found in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
How ruthless are they? Mothers of black mambas are ruthless. When they feel endangered, they will attack. They’ll launch a barrage of assaults, focusing on the head and body. They deliver their incredibly lethal poison with each bite. A black mamba bite has enough venom to kill 120-140 men. The venom paralyzes the muscles that control respiration, causing the victim to suffocate and die.
While all of this “enemy” talk is in good humor, snakes really play a critical part in our environment. We’d be overwhelmed by rodents and creatures of all sorts if they didn’t exist. These pointers should help you avoid snakes rather than seek them out to kill. Leave the snake alone unless it’s a life or death scenario, then proceed in the other direction.
The Art of Manliness Guide to Snakes, Part 2
The “art of manliness fighting” is a guide to the most dangerous animals in the world. It includes information on how to avoid them and what to do if you encounter one.
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