boots

Curt · Jun 3, 2006

Anyone have the best info on boots to wear while photographing in the Southwest to prevent snake bites?

Luck NZ folks, I heard that there are no dangerous snakes there. Are there any snakes there at all?

Mick Fagan · Jun 3, 2006

There are no snakes in NZ at all. I believe that they don't even allow dead specimens in their science museums.

As for snake boots, wear something that makes a lot of noise, snakes hear you and generally move out of your way. I have walked through quite snake infested areas I found that by making a lot of noise and not moving too fast, one rarely encounters snakes.

I know this as in the late fifties I lived in an area that had zillions of tiger snakes. There was a CSIRO (Govt science dept.) fella walking around trying to capture tiger snakes to milk their venom for the hopeful manufacture of an anti venom drug. My best friend and I knew where the best areas to look and walked with the scientist showing him these areas. We had to walk quietly otherwise the snakes took off, something I found of enormous benefit for the rest of my life.

A footnote to the above excursions:- about two years after the scientist was walking around with us capturing tiger snakes, there was a lengthy article in a national daily detailing the new anti venom being released by the government.

The scientist went on to publicly thank the two enthusiastic youngsters who led him to the best areas where tiger snakes could be found, adding that we also turned out to be great assistants in helping him to milk the snakes of their venom.

As a result, that national paper came to our homes wishing to take our pictures and write a short story. Our mothers had pink fits, when they found out what we had been doing!

Mick.

Aggie · Jun 3, 2006

Dense material. Either use good heavy leather, or very dense mesh type material in boots. It is hard for the fangs to penetrate. It's also hard for the fangs to go through a layer of denim, then boots. Just remember the snake could strike anywhere from toes to mid thigh. Most would be below the knee. Generally snakes will only be found out and about in the warm part of the day. They are cold blooded, and when the temps drop at night, they find a warm place to hole up for the night. They will come back out in the mid morning when the temps and sun are heating up. They like to sun themselves.

Most times you won't even see a snake.

roteague · Jun 3, 2006

Mick Fagan said:
There are no snakes in NZ at all. I believe that they don't even allow dead specimens in their science museums.

No snakes in Hawaii either.

Try a pair of good, old fashioned Nacona boots.

doughowk · Jun 3, 2006

I bought my snake boots from Dead Link Removed About a year ago I was attacked by an Eastern Diamondback rattler while at a nearby state park. I had just been talking to my wife on cell phone & commenting on how beautiful it was there and how the cicadas where sounding pleasantly. After hanging up, I picked up camera & tripod holding it out in front of me & took one step to the right when the rattler attacked. He landed just short of my foot, apparently misjudging the distance due to tripod. Instead of cicadas, the rattler had been warning me the whole time I was on the phone. During this time of year I understand they are in ambush mode, and reluctant to move away.

After that experience I ordered a pair of boots from Cabelas, and been wearing them whenever in the wilds. Did run into a water moccasin, but he didn't test the boots. Of course, here in Florida we also have another reptile to worry about, and snake boots won't help ;-(

Claire Senft · Jun 3, 2006

When I saw the first two words of Aggie's contributiion immediately after Mike Fagan's post I thought it was in response to what he had written and my reaction to it was "Spot on Girl, they were dense as hell".

BradS · Jun 3, 2006

I've spent a lot of time in California's high desert. I've encountered a few Mojave Greens along the way and lots of the more comon rattle snakes. I suppose it depends upon the time of day and the season of the year but from what I've seen in the fifteen or so years of visiting the Mojave, you'd nearly have to kick a snake for it to even take much notice. They're few and far between too.

All that said, I wear a heavy pair of lumber jack boots. They are eight or nine inches high, made of thick leather, have specially reinforced sole and even have steel toes. This has more to do with other elements of the terrain than with snalkes though (hot, sharp rocks and cactus).

Firefighter boots work well too but generally cost more. If you cna find 'em at the military surplus store near you, US Navy or Airforce Mechanics boots might be suitable.

Flotsam · Jun 3, 2006

I just wear my Saint Patrick medalion. It drives all the snakes away.

Donald Qualls · Jun 4, 2006

I'm pretty happy with my Carolina brand motorcycle boots (you might find a similar style sold as an "engineer" boot). They're top-calf high, heavy leather (with steel toes and oil-proof soles), and no laces to catch junk. The last pair I bought cost about $120, but they last me many years (and can be resoled and reheeled), especially since my bike died. Not the best hiking boots, but they're unbeatable for the price when it comes to snakebite protection.

Hint: buy them as tight as you can get on and off in the store -- they'll loosen up quite a bit as they break in. Then give them a good waterproofing oil treatment, that will greatly accelerate the break-in process. Do NOT use the old trick of wetting the leather and wearing the boots until they dry -- that will damage the leather and cause the shanks and steel toe caps to rust.

I used to get mine at Bent Bike in Lynnwood, Washington, but it's a nationally distributed brand; most motorcycle accessory vendors that aren't tied to the Harley-Davidson brand will either have them, or know who does locally -- or have another brand that's just as good.

John McCallum · Jun 4, 2006

you need these.

p krentz · Jun 4, 2006

Snakes

roteague said:
No snakes in Hawaii either.

I saw a special on tv a few years ago about a venemous brown snake that was spreading very rapidly in your part of the country, came from Samoa I think. Pat

roteague · Jun 4, 2006

p krentz said:
I saw a special on tv a few years ago about a venemous brown snake that was spreading very rapidly in your part of the country, came from Samoa I think. Pat

Brown snakes have not taken root in Hawaii. The snakes come from Guam, where they have decimated the forests. As a result, airplanes from Guam are closely inspected. FWIW, it is a felony to bring a snake into the state.

vet173 · Jun 4, 2006

roteague said:
FWIW, it is a felony to bring a snake into the state.

THAT'S why my wife wont bring me there, she's afraid of being arrested. Thanks for clearing that wonderment up for me.

Doug Knutsen · Jun 4, 2006

I couldn't resist diving into this. Speaking as a herpetologist, when I'm in the field, particularly in rattlesnake country (where I spend a lot of time), I always wear the foot gear that gives me the maximum protection from serious danger: tennis sneakers with good traction. A broken leg out in the back of beyond is something to worry about!

Cheers, Doug

df cardwell · Jun 4, 2006

Check the notion that snakes are most likely out and about during the day and that nightime isn't a problem: they begin to hunt at dawn and dusk.

Here's a reasonably lucid primer on co-existing with the little fellas.

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/news/issues/snake.html

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