Editing Snakebite (section)

== Prevention ==
[[File:RodriguezParkHoustonSnakes.JPG|thumb|right|Sign at Sylvan Rodriguez Park in [[Houston, Texas]], warning of the presence of snakes]]

Snakes are most likely to bite when they feel threatened, are startled, are provoked, or when they have been cornered. Snakes are likely to approach residential areas when attracted by prey, such as [[rodents]]. Regular [[pest control]] can reduce the threat of snakes considerably. It is beneficial to know the species of snake that are common in local areas, or while travelling or hiking. [[Africa]], [[Australia]], the [[Neotropics]], and [[South Asia]] in particular are populated by many dangerous species of snake. Being aware of—and ultimately avoiding—areas known to be heavily populated by dangerous snakes is strongly recommended.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

When in the wilderness, treading heavily creates ground vibrations and noise, which will often cause snakes to flee from the area. However, this generally only applies to vipers, as some larger and more aggressive snakes in other parts of the world, such as [[mamba]]s and [[cobra]]s,<ref name="Haji">{{cite web| vauthors = Haji R |title=Venomous snakes and snake bites|url=http://www.zoocheck.com/Reportpdfs/Venomous%20snakes.pdf|website=Zoocheck Canada|access-date=25 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425231856/http://www.zoocheck.com/Reportpdfs/Venomous%20snakes.pdf|archive-date=25 April 2012}}</ref> will respond more aggressively. If presented with a direct encounter, it is best to remain silent and motionless. If the snake has not yet fled, it is important to step away slowly and cautiously.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

The use of a flashlight when engaged in camping activities, such as gathering firewood at night, can be helpful. Snakes may also be unusually active during especially warm nights when ambient temperatures exceed {{convert|21|°C|°F|abbr=on}}. It is advised not to reach blindly into hollow logs, flip over large rocks, and enter old [[Log cabin|cabins]] or other potential snake hiding places. When [[climbing|rock climbing]], it is not safe to grab ledges or crevices without examining them first, as snakes are [[Ectotherm|cold-blooded]] and often sunbathe atop rock ledges.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

In the United States, more than 40 percent of people bitten by snakes intentionally put themselves in harm's way by attempting to capture wild snakes or by carelessly handling their dangerous pets—40 percent of that number had a [[blood alcohol level]] of 0.1 percent or more.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Kurecki BA, Brownlee HJ | title = Venomous snakebites in the United States | journal = The Journal of Family Practice | volume = 25 | issue = 4 | pages = 386–392 | date = October 1987 | pmid = 3655676}}</ref>

It is also important to avoid snakes that [[apparent death|appear to be dead]], as some species will roll over on their backs and stick out their tongue to fool potential threats. A snake's detached head can immediately act by [[reflex action|reflex]] and potentially bite. The induced bite can be just as severe as that of a live snake.<ref name="Gold2002" /><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Gold BS, Barish RA | title = Venomous snakebites. Current concepts in diagnosis, treatment, and management | journal = Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America | volume = 10 | issue = 2 | pages = 249–267 | date = May 1992 | pmid = 1559468 | doi = 10.1016/S0733-8627(20)30712-4}}</ref>
As a dead snake is incapable of regulating the venom injected, a bite from a dead snake can often contain large amounts of venom.<ref name="Suchard1999">{{cite journal | vauthors = Suchard JR, LoVecchio F | title = Envenomations by rattlesnakes thought to be dead | journal = The New England Journal of Medicine | volume = 340 | issue = 24 | page = 1930 | date = June 1999 | pmid = 10375322 | doi = 10.1056/NEJM199906173402420 | doi-access = free}}</ref>