Snakes are a reality about living in Australia. Whether you’re an individual who likes to garden or someone who enjoys the great outdoors, you will probably come across a snake every so often. Even if you don’t know it, you might come very close to a snake, as they like to hide. To protect you, when out and about, it might be wise to have some snake-proof pants in Australia. In this article, we look at snake bite-proof pants and how they can help you stay safe.
What are Snake Proof Pants?
Snake-proof pants are items of clothing that you can put on to protect your legs from bites. Legs are a prime target for snake bites because snakes will defend themselves from potential threats, such as you, when you get too close.
Most snake bites happen for one of two reasons:
- The individual has tried to pick the snake up without knowing much about snakes.
- Someone has walked too close to the snake, without realising it and the snake has felt cornered.
In the first of these scenarios, the simple solution is to not pick up the snake. Snakes that feel threatened only have two defence mechanisms: to run/hide or to bite. If they feel cornered, then they will bite. A venomous bite could be lethal or life-changing.
However, the second is harder to prevent. Sometimes snakes are so good at hiding that you can be centimetres from an individual and not realise it. The snake might consider you a threat and strike out at any time.
Therefore, if you are likely to go to locations where a snake could hide, like in the countryside, taking precautions is always wise. Snake-proof pants are one precaution because they prevent the fangs of most species from being able to penetrate your clothing and actually release venom into you.
Therefore, you can be kept safe.
Some of these are full-length trousers. These can be very hot and reduce movement. However, you can also use Aussie Tough Leg Protecting Snake Gaiters from Envirobug. These are attachments that sit over your trousers, allowing for greater movement.
Do Snake Proof Pants Work?
Yes. Snake-proof pants add enough thickness that they prevent the small fangs of most snakes from being able to penetrate your body. Therefore, the trousers get envenomed while you don’t. While there are some risks still, for instance, a very persistent snake might be able to get past some trousers through repeated biting and sheer determination. Or if you have an open wound and are unlucky enough to have the snake bite in the same location.
However, in the majority of cases, the snake-proof pants help to protect your legs from bites.
Are Snake-Proof Boots Not Better?
While you should always consider wearing both snake-proof pants and boots, boots have less of a problem. Snakes tend to bite upwards, missing the feet and going for a leg or an arm. This is because it is an easier way to bite, with a smaller resistance. After all, they’re biting through the air, rather than having to push their way across the ground and having to force their body against the resistance of the ground.
However, that isn’t to say that they don’t bite feet, which is why it is very important to have both forms of protection on when you are walking in areas where snakes live.
What Should I do If I am Bitten by a Snake While Wearing Snake-Proof Pants
If you are bitten by a snake while wearing the pants, you shouldn’t worry too much. The chances are that you are safe. However, you should seek medical attention, explain to them what happened, and check with the doctor whether they think that you need to be tested for any snake venom in your blood.
You should also replace any of the safety equipment you were wearing. The snake bite will slightly compromise the snake-proof pants and boots, which makes further protection slightly less effective. While these pants might be able to take another bite or two, it is always best to be cautious.
The snake pants might also be tested by medical professionals who might want to identify the venom to see what species attempted to bite you. If it was an Eastern Brown Snake, then the doctors might want to prescribe some treatment or keep you in for observations as a precaution.
How Can I Prevent Being Bitten?
Of course, the best protection from snake bites is to avoid being bitten in the first place. This can be achieved by following simple rules. These include:
Walk at the right times: Snakes tend to be more active at dawn and dusk, and while some are active during the day, there are fewer species and they tend to be very visible.
Stay Away from Overgrown Areas: Snakes like to hide, and overgrown grass or planted areas are prime hiding spots for snakes. So don’t walk through long grass unless you know, for certain, that there is not a snake in there.
Don’t Run Near a Snake: Running near a snake, or fast movements make them scared, and this is when they are going to act. Their first reaction is to run away and then to bite.
Don’t Pick up a Snake: As mentioned previously, snake bites often happen because someone tries to pick up the snake. This is a bad idea, snakes will see this as an attack and you will be bitten.
Stay Away from Snake Areas During Breeding Season: Some areas might be best avoided during the breeding season when many individuals are out and about looking for a mate.
Final Word: Snake Proof Pants: What Are They, Are They Useful?
Snake-proof pants are a vital part of being safe when out and about. They are useful because they stop bites from reaching your skin, which can protect you from venom. Therefore, if you are going anywhere near snakes in the wild, you should wear snake-proof pants or gaiters to give yourself a sense of relief and protection.
