Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone,

I’m based in Colombia and part of my work is related to wildlife field equipment and practical tools used during field operations.

One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that many snake encounters in tropical environments happen not only during active searches, but also during routine work such as farm visits, environmental inspections, moving materials, or checking structures in rural areas.

In many cases, the biggest issue is not the snake itself, but the lack of knowledge, poor reaction, and not having the right handling or safety tools available.

From a field perspective, I think education, calm observation, and safe distance are often more important than people realize. In tropical countries like Colombia, where medically important species are present, prevention and proper handling awareness make a big difference.

I’d be interested to know how often others here encounter snakes during regular field work or outdoor activities, and what tools or safety practices you consider most useful in real conditions.

Best regards,
Lucas

I encounter snakes fairly regularly here in west central Texas, usually checkered garters, western coachwhips, bull snakes, Texas (Western booo!) Rat snakes, and Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes. I've seen so many at this point I usually just watch them for a few seconds and then go about my day. If I have someone with me, then I may interact with the animal for a few minutes to take advantage of a teaching opportunity, or if it's a rattlesnake call asking for removal, I'll do that.

I usually have a small hook, short set of tongs (Animal Equipment by Stoney can't be beat), a couple pillow cases, and a vented 5 gal bucket near by. It's extremely rare that I'll actually collect anything these days, but I stay ready just in case I stumble upon something I "need".

For venomous, I do not handle in any way unless I must. It's hooks all the way. If something needs to be relocated, it's a simple scoop it up and lift into a bucket. For harmless but cranky animals, maybe a hook, maybe tongs, and maybe my hands. For little things like rats and garters, I just grab them because even their worst bites are basically nothing.

I think it's vitally important to know exactly what you are looking at before interacting with it. I hate, HATE all the FB posts of people holding a snake behind the head and asking what it is. These people are stupid beyond measure.

You're 100% right about education and calm observation being important. Education changes everything and a person that can't be calm is a total liability.

I'm in a situation where I'm pretty spun up on my local herps and I've been memorizing field guides since I was a kid. If I was anywhere that I was unsure about some of the snakes in the area, I'd absolutely have the best field guide I could find and again, not interact with any animal if I couldnt identify it.

I dont't do field work, but I do humane officer type of work where I go into a lot of neglect raids where I never know what I am getting into.

I always carry at least a medium sized hook in my car and several pillow cases. One thing to note. Check those pillow cases regularly! Sun can degrade fabric after a while and I notice that seams get worn down, so you want to be sure if you are putting things in your vehicle for relocation you have a secondary more secure thing there such as a bucket for venomous. I do keep totes as well in my vehicle and because of what I do, I have ready boxes to go in my garage as well as a tube that can hold an alligator up to 5 feet that I can run home to get. But in my car it is several pillow cases, a medium hook at the very least and several totes small to medium. In Wisconsin. I am not encountering any venomous in the field or on the road and in my humane work, I can run to get more supplies usually for them.
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Cindy Steinle
PHFaust
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