tpruski

I have a stupid question. I love to camp, but my wife refuses to go because she is scared of snakes. The many years that I have camped, I have never seen a snake in my camp ground. But are there any tricks that I can do at the camp site to help keep snakes away and to help my wife with her fears.

Thanks for the input

Shannon

Most public camping areas are so busy and disrupted, snakes give them a WIDE berth... they stay far away. And unlike squirrels, raccoons or fire ants, nothing people bring with them attracts snakes.

I have never seen a snake while camping. I have seen them while hiking, birdwatching and while weeding in my backyard (of all places, a suburban neighborhood with a deck -- GREAT snake territory... better than most campsites!)

Tell your wife she is missing a lot to avoid seeing something that she has more likelihood of seeing in your backyard shed, under your deck or even in your garage at some point.

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Shannon

I just recalled -- I have seen one snake while camping, and it was a rattlesnake, but it was hightailing it AWAY from my campsite just as I walked up to survey the site before pitching my tent. It was at Hill Country State Natural Area in the summer, and it headed for dense underbrush I would have no reason to be hiking or tromping through, so we didn't encroach upon one another at all while I was there. The snake isn't going to be tempted to check out a tent or sleeping bag or picnic stash, like a raccoon, squirrel or fire ants (or bear, in the right regions of the USA) are... they really do stick very much to themselves and prefer not to be bothered by us bipeds.

If it makes you or your wife feel better, a hiking staff works well to probe in brush before walking in it... that and hightop hiking boots are really all you need unless you're going to be doing bushwhacking hiking/backpacking.

Many, many snakes, btw, are totally harmless, totally not poisonous, and really quite beautiful.

Always keep your boots in your tent or flip them upside down before putting them on if you've left them out -- scorpions are my personal nemesis.

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- Shannon Moore
Your Host @ WildTexas.com
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4everfrio

I would have to agree with Shannon. I have never come across a snake in the campground. I believe there is too much traffic for them. However, I have come across a few while hiking about. I think you would have a better chance of getting bit by a squirrel than being harrassed by a snake. Tell her of all the wonderful things that she is missing: that beautiful sunset, a cozy romantic fire, the sound of all the different birds when you first awake in the morning. Come on butter her up, sweet talk her, you can do it!!

Turn Key

Welcome aboard and I'm glad you've chosen to join us. I hope we can help you enjoy Texas as much as the rest of us do. As far as snakes go, if your staying in state, "CORPS" and national parks where there is heavey traffic, the chances of even finding a snake get a bit thin. If your off the trails and away from people (or near water), your chances are better that you'd encounter a snake. None the less, a bit of care is all that's really needed. Normal noise made by people walking and talking is more then enough to drive snakes away. Snakes don't like people and they really don't want to have much to do with us.

I've seen a number of snakes over the years and have even come across some fair sized ones. Have never been in a situation where I felt threatened by a snake. Just be aware and watch where your headed. You should be fine.

Happy Camping!

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MissionCamper

I've seen all of two snakes since moving to Texas 5 years ago...and neither was a rattler. There was one in the backyard of my old house in Mission. Turned out to be a very long grass snake -- capable of pinching, nothing more. The other was at Falcon SP on an early June morning. He was moving about in the brush behind my site and stopped cold when he saw me.

Just be cognizant of your surroundings and remember that snakes would prefer to spend their venom on something they know they can eat, not waste it on us.

campermom

Suburbia is a great place to be a snake. We've had 2 small rattlers and a coral snake in our yard. We have a large easement behind the house in NE San Antonio. We've have 6 or 7 scorpions, 6 or 7 centipeedes, and one brown recluse ( which bit me while doing yard work).

We've spend more than 30 nights out this year and while camping, we've seen 2 tarantulas, 1 black widow, and 1 very small non poisonous snake ( Lake Mineral wells, Inks, South Llano and Perdernales - in that order). 2 of the spiders were in the camp area.

However, we don't have 1000's of deer, javelinas, foxes, armadillos, racoons, skunks, possums, geese ( Gotta love those Garner geese), turkeys, owls, alligators, and birds like the parks do.

If you go when it's cold, you won't see any snakes. Take her somewhere close, with something nice to explore, and bring some wine, cheese, and logs for the fire. I'm with 4everFrio, butter her up, the stars at night are big and bright, go camping.

copuswalker

I have heard that the great oogambboga snake dance keeps them away?

If that fails go with the law of averages that says........don't worry

Really, you are unlikely to see snakes and less likely to confront them. I had the same fears when I moved here and can honestly say it was unwarranted

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happybooker1

I've not seen a snake either in my campground. But plenty of armadillos, squirrels, raccoons, & deer!

Anyway..... back to your ??. Cowboys used to swear by laying a rope all around the bedroll area/CG in a circle. Said the snakes wouldn't cross the rope. Well, that's been proven as an 'old wives tale' but WE won't tell your wife if you want to lay out a rope......