Can Snakes See You If You Don’t Move? [Fact or Fiction?]

If you are going out into the wild, you might be thinking, “can snakes see you if you don’t move?” This is an important consideration since safety comes first.

Snakes can be found anywhere- in your home, garden, on the road, and even on hiking trails. It is important to know what to do if you ever find yourself face-to-face with a snake. One little move could scare the snake, making it more likely to attack you.

Can Snakes See You If You Don’t Move?

You might encounter some snake species that hunt during the daytime, but most snakes do not see well. Even though they can decipher shapes, the details remain fuzzy. This means that the snake may sense that you are there without actually seeing you.

However, if you are more than a meter away from the snake and it does not feel cornered, you will likely remain unharmed. There are ways to react when you see a snake. The slightest mistake could cause the snake to attack you, changing your life forever.

As snake experts, we’re here to help you if you ever happen to be in the same place as a snake. Moreover, you will learn what to do and what not to do if a snake bites you so that you can take care of yourself and those around you.

Can Snakes See You if You Don’t Move?

Most snakes will not be able to see you if you do not move. Usually, snakes have bad eyesight because of their history of being burrowers. They have lived in the dark for generations, and their eyes have become accustomed to not seeing too much.

One species of snake called pit vipers can see well at night. This is because they have two pits on either side of their head that help them detect heat. 

Think about these as night vision goggles. Even though pit vipers cannot see with their eyes, their pits help them curate an image in their brain, allowing them to know when anyone is nearby.

Similarly, Cobras have a sharp sense when it comes to attacking their predators. Even though they cannot see, they know how to aim at the eyes when they spit their venom. If snake venom finds its way into anyone’s eye, whether human or animal, it will blind them for life.

What to Do If You Encounter a Snake?

Snakes are usually common to find after a long winter sleep. They are usually on the lookout for food or are looking for a mate.

If you happen to encounter a snake, it is best to leave it alone. It is unlikely that a snake will attack you if you do not provoke it in the first place, so we would recommend that you do not go too close to it or make any sudden movements that would make it feel threatened.

If you find a snake inside your house, slowly get everyone around you to find their way outside. Close the door of the room where the snake was found and cover the gap underneath the door with a towel.

Instead of handling things yourself, get in touch with a professional snake catcher who can safely release the snake into safety. 

If you do not have time, grab a trash can with a lid and broom so that you can chase the snake into it. Make sure to keep the trashcan upright so that the snake does not escape.

If you find the snake in your attic or basement, you can also use glue board snake traps. These will not harm the snake, but it is important that you keep checking the traps every day; otherwise the snake might die and rot.

If the snake is non-venomous, you can release it into the wild. All you need to do is put a bit of vegetable oil on it to separate the glue.

If you find a snake when you are hiking or are outdoors, carefully observe where the snake is heading. If it is squirming away into a bush, there are high chances that you will not come face-to-face with it again. 

However, if it disappears underneath a car or into a shed, it is probably best that you contact a snake catcher.

Can You Tell When a Snake is Going to Attack?

When you see a snake, it is best to know whether it is about to attack so that you can make your next move accordingly. 

One way to do this is by keeping a close eye on their tail. The way a snake positions its tail will increase its lunging power and allow them more leverage.

When it is about to attack, the snake will tighten its tail and might lean its tail against a hard surface so that it can easily attack its predators when it feels that the time is right.

How Do You Avoid a Snake Bite?

We would strongly advise you to never try to deal with a snake yourself, no matter how confident you feel.

A huge reason why people get attacked by snakes and are left to aid snake bites is that they try catching snakes single-handedly. Hence, it is best never to underestimate snakes, no matter how small they look. Did you know that when baby brown snakes hatch, they have a lot of venom?

If you do get hold of a snake, remember to never hold it by its tail. This is because this position increases the snake’s chances of turning its head and biting you before you can realize what happened. If the snake turns out to be venomous, this can be dangerous and sometimes fatal.

Moreover, when you are on a trail, it is best to stick to reserves, as well as national parks. When hiking, make sure to make some noise while walking so that the animals around you are aware that someone is coming. 

This will scare them and ensure that they stay hidden.

Many people also find snakes in their yards. This usually happens when the grass is grown out, and there is a lot of rubbish, which gives snakes lots of hiding spots. Hence, it is important to keep your property clean. 

Snakes are also attracted to mice, but the cleaner your property, the less chance of mice and snakes.

What to Do If You Get Bitten by a Snake?

When you see a snake, it is best for you to automatically assume that it is venomous and dangerous. Never think of a snake as your friend and never fool around with it.

If you get bitten by a snake, do not move around too much. Try to sit down in one place to slow down the speed of the venom spreading throughout your body. Most importantly, call an ambulance as soon as possible.

If you happen to travel with a first aid kit, use a compression bandage to secure the infected area. Wrap the bandage tightly from the bottom to the top to restrict blood flow. The venom spreads through the lymphatic system – something you should keep in mind when dealing with a snake bite.

Do not make the mistake of washing the site of the snake bite. Doing this will get rid of the venom that the hospital staff can use to identity the type of snake that attacked you. 

Moreover, keep a piece of clothing attached around the bite so that it prevents you from moving. Too much movement can cause the venom to leak into the bloodstream.

Moreover, remember to note down details of what the snake looked like somewhere on your phone. This way, you can tell the doctor what it looked like. The doctor can then determine whether the snake was venomous and what kind of damage you will be likely to experience.

However, do not try to injure or kill the snake in an attempt to get revenge. There is a high probability that you will not succeed.

If snakes feel threatened or in danger, they are likely to attack you. It doesn’t matter that you have already been bitten once, a snake will not hesitate to bite you again, so it is best to be careful.

Follow these tips and wait till you can get yourself to safety- you will likely be unharmed by the snake and can continue going on with your daily life.