Snakes strike humans primarily in self-defense when they feel threatened, cornered, or startled, often because people get too close or try to harm them, but they can also bite due to mistaken identity (confusing a hand with prey) or provocation, not usually out of aggression, as they prefer to flee, but a strike is a defensive "chomp-and-release" to make a threat go away, sometimes without venom.
Snakebites do not typically occur because the reptile is attacking or being overly aggressive. Rather, most are the result of the timid creature being startled and going into self-defense mode. “There is no need to be fearful of snakes.
Unlike most venomous snakes, which tend to bite people who are either handling them or who surprise them, the large Australian mulga snake has also been found to attack people who are asleep.
A bite is a feeding response, when the snake is trying to eat you. They latch on to you with their teeth and (in the case of constrictors) try to constrict the area. A strike is a defensive response, when the snake is afraid of you. This is a quick chomp-and-release, telling you to get out of their space.
Here is what you should do:
Snakes are highly sensitive to odors, so those currently denning in the home can be “evicted” by applying products such as vinegar, lime mixed with hot pepper, garlic or onions, Epsom salt, or oils such as clove, cinnamon, cedarwood, or peppermint to the perimeter.
Despite popular belief, snakes do not actively hunt or chase humans. Most species prefer to conserve energy and avoid unnecessary conflict, so they will usually retreat if given space.
Around 20 % of snake species are venomous, and their venom contains a complex array of toxins that can cause multi-organ damage, particularly affecting the nervous system, leading to both ischemic and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular events.
Common signs you have snakes in your home
If you discover a snake, do not approach it closely. If you step on a snake or are very close to a Puff adder then move away quickly. If the snake is only about a meter away, freeze at first and see the snakes reaction - it will likely look for an escape route. If it is cornered, back away slowly.
Most bites are on the hands, arms, or legs. Fear following a bite is common with symptoms of a racing heart and feeling faint.
Snakes don't see things the way humans do. Rather than see humans or objects… they perceive comfort, danger, warmth, pain. Their world is felt more than it is understood.
First and foremost, the cold. Temperatures lower than 60° impairs their ability to protect themselves. Very often it is standing their ground when having to deal w/ humans.
Leave it alone. Snakes are generally shy and will not attack unless provoked, so it's best to leave them be. If you see a snake inside your home, keep people and pets away. If possible, contain the snake to a room, then call a professional snake catcher for assistance.
The blood of a US man who deliberately injected himself with snake venom for nearly two decades has led to an "unparalleled" antivenom, say scientists. Antibodies found in Tim Friede's blood have been shown to protect against fatal doses from a wide range of species in animal tests.
What to avoid
Many people are bitten because they try to tease, kill, or get too close to the snake. Staying out of tall grass unless you wear thick leather boots and long pants. Stay on hiking paths as much as possible. Keeping hands and feet out of areas you can't see.
To repel snakes immediately, use strong scents like vinegar, cinnamon oil, clove oil, or ammonia-soaked rags placed near entry points; strong smells like garlic, onion, or sulfur also work, as do natural barriers like marigolds or dense mulch, but the most effective immediate repellents rely on overwhelming their senses with pungent, irritating odors. Remember, while these deter snakes, habitat modification (removing hiding spots, food sources) is key for long-term control.
If a snake appears to be staring at you, it's not out of curiosity or malice; snakes don't have eyelids, so their eyes are always open. A snake's “stare” is just it staying still to assess its surroundings or gauge threats.
The saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) is small, but its unpredictability, aggressive temper, and lethal venom potency make it very dangerous. This species is one of the fastest striking snakes in the world, and mortality rates for those bitten are very high.
To lure a snake out, use a combination of heat, moisture, and food, placing a warm, humid hide with a scented mouse bait (like a pinkie) in a ventilated container near its hiding spot, or use gentle vibrations/sound (like a gentle fan or knocking) to encourage movement, but often patience is key as snakes are cautious. For lost pets, setting up a trap with a heat source and food near its suspected location is effective.
A snake's biggest enemies are a diverse group of predators, with the mongoose, honey badger, and various raptors (like eagles, secretary birds) being top contenders due to their speed, fearlessness, and specialized hunting skills; even other snakes, like kingsnakes, prey on them. These predators exploit a snake's vulnerability to swift attacks, often targeting their heads and relying on speed or natural defenses against venom to win confrontations.
They hibernate in winter, and emerge when the weather warms up. Springtime is the most active and stressful time for the snake. It is hungry after hibernation, needs to shed its skin, and reproduce. This is the most likely time our pets may come in contact with them, but it can happen very late into Autumn as well.