How to Protect Yourself From Snakes in Louisiana

Wear appropriate clothing. Your risk of inadvertently stepping on a snake increases in the wooded and marshy areas of Louisiana, particularly if these areas have lots of debris. You can protect yourself from an unexpected snake bite by wearing thick socks and jeans tucked into hiking boots. If you are bitten by a snake, this clothing decreases the likelihood that its venom will penetrate your skin.

Know about dangerous snakes in Louisiana. Most snakes are non-venomous and kill rodents and other pests. Even venomous snakes are shy and will only bite when threatened. Several species of rattlesnakes, including the pygmy rattlesnake and canebrake rattlesnake, live in Louisiana. These snakes can be recognized by their large, triangle-shaped heads and the visible rattle at the tip of their tails. They are most frequently encountered in desolate areas with little foot traffic.

Cottonmouths live in moist areas and may be found on riverbanks or in wetlands. They are drab brown and tan with diamond-shaped scales, and can be identified by a faint white line between their eyes and mouths. They are more aggressive than most other snakes.

Coral snakes live in the easternmost areas of Louisiana and have alternating bands of black, yellow and red. They are frequently confused with the similarly colored milk snake. Coral snakes, however, have red bands next to yellow bands, while milk snakes have red bands next to black bands. Though they are venomous, they are also very shy.

Copperheads typically live in the woodlands and may be found near fruit trees searching for rodents. They can be identified by their copper-colored head. They have diamond-shaped scales in tan and red.

Wear gloves when clearing brush and tree limbs. Snakes often live at the bottom of woodpiles and debris. Inattentive people may be bitten while doing yard work. Avoid this by making noise, working slowly and lifting large items like bricks and rocks toward you instead of away from you. By lifting items toward yourself, you provide a shield if a snake is hiding underneath.

Avoid desolate areas. Snake bites are common in areas with little foot traffic. Moreover, if you are bitten by a snake when you are far away from civilization, it can be difficult to get help. If you must go for a walk in an abandoned wooded area, take your cell phone and let people know where you will be.