If you’re the type of person who likes to go for long walks in parks, outdoor spaces, or your farm even. Then you know that there are dangers out there. One of the biggest concerns is snakes. There are around 140 different species of land snakes and 32 recorded sea snakes in the country. Most of these, about 100, are considered venomous. Luckily only about 12 are likely to inflict a wound that can kill you, but many can cause a nasty injury.
To prevent you from getting injured while out walking, it is important to protect your legs from snakes biting you. In this article, we will explore snake protection for legs and snake proof socks Australia locals can use.
What are Snake Proof Socks?
Snake socks are a product that offers leg protection against snake bite attacks. The fabric is designed to be tough enough that it prevents the fangs from penetrating the sock and biting you. They are also supposed to be flexible enough to allow comfortable movement.
Traditionally, snake protection for legs was thick and heavy. Now new materials are being used that are offering unrivalled protection that can provide the durability and performance of an athlete’s sock.
Who Tends to Wear Snake Bite Proof Socks?
Numerous individuals might consider wearing socks that protect against snake bites. For one, those who are working outdoors through much of the year, especially if they are near any bushes or long grass.
Others who might want to wear snake bite proof socks include those who like outdoor leisure activities like hiking, running, biking, hunting, and other activities. Also, those who work on the farm. Those that go hunting in heavily wooded areas or where there is a lot of vegetation, are particularly likely to come across a snake. So, getting socks to prevent snake bites is a great idea.
Why are Socks the Best Protection?
Snakes are ambush predators. They sit in wait for a prey item to come close to them before they strike. Ambush predators must make themselves hidden to be effective, which makes them a risk to those who are walking past. Many people will likely walk past a snake without ever realising it. The snake will stay hidden, feeling safe in the knowledge that they aren’t going to be disturbed.
However, snakes are also nervous creatures. Snakes are prey items for numerous animals and when humans come too close, they can become scared, and very fearful for their life. That is when a snake might bite a human.
The snake is trying to defend itself. Snakes are unlikely to attack aggressively, they are mostly defensive. One reason why snakes are mostly defensive is that they don’t want to waste their venom. They carry a limited amount, and it has to be replenished after each loaded bite.
The location for most snake bites is around the ankle or foot, which is why socks offer the most protection. Bites to the hands and arms are not uncommon, but they are generally when someone is either trying to handle a snake or pulling up weeds.
How Much are Snake Proof Socks?
Snake proof socks can be rather expensive with most costing upwards of $100, but some socks costing nearly $200. However, the price is worth it. Snake proof socks are the best way to protect legs from snakes in addition to some other simple options that allow you to walk with some protection.
Snake proof socks are not the only protection though. You can also have snake proof boots and other items.
How to Protect Legs from Snakes
There are other ways that you can protect your legs from snakes. Here are some of the suggestions for you to consider.
- Walk in Clear Areas
Snakes are not often lying on the ground in vulnerable places. They are more likely to be hiding in the undergrowth, under stones, branches, or leaf litter. Therefore, by staying on well-
designated paths and cleared walkways you can protect your legs from snakes because you are less likely to come across snakes.
Also, if you’re walking on well-traversed routes, you will find fewer snakes. Snakes tend to sense where there are high levels of traffic from predators (or humans). They will not hunt on these grounds very often. The only time that they might is when they sense that there is a lot of prey in the area.
Snakes use their sense of smell a lot. And they can smell the routes that prey takes regularly. Mammals are creatures of habit and often form regular routes, leaving behind their scent. So, if a snake is near a path, it is usually because rodents are also walking down the path regularly.
- Pay Attention to your Surroundings
If you do have to walk in heavily wooded or overgrown areas, pay attention to the surroundings. Snakes are camouflage experts and can hide almost anywhere. They tend to provide warnings before they strike. This is usually a hiss. However, you need to watch where you’re stepping. Keep an eye on the typical areas where snakes will lie.
- Avoid Walking at Times When Snakes are Active
Snakes are often out during the dawn and dusk periods. This time is when the snake’s prey is usually out and about too. The dawn and dusk periods are also when our eyesight is at its worst, so it is harder to spot the snakes when they are hiding.
This isn’t always possible, so when you are walking about at these times, it is important to have a spotlight. The spotlight will often get the snake to hiss or move out of your way.
Though it is important to remember that snakes are not always active at these times. Some snakes are more active at night or even during the day. Therefore, you should be careful at any time.
Final Word: Snake Proof Socks to Protect your Legs
If you are going to be working or going to enjoy the outdoors, then you need to protect yourself from the very real potential of snake bites. Snake proof socks are not cheap, but they can save you a lot of pain, and possibly your life, should a snake bite.
Read about the best snake bite protectors, and what to do if a snake bites you in our blog post.
