Getting bitten by a rattlesnake is not something that the average person thinks about with an regularity. Deadly snake bites are a bit of a rare occurrence in America, as we lose about ten people annually due to snake bites. Still, it begs the question of just how dumb we really are as a society when we go into the woods?

It is notable that ninety five percent of the snake bites out there are caused by the person trying to handle or kill the snake. Another percentage of people are harmed by their own self while attempting to kill a snake.

It brings to mind the story of a man that went out to kill a rattlesnake in the back yard a couple years ago. He went and grabbed a hoe reportedly to chop off the head. The snake was a eastern diamondback that was reportedly about eight feet long. That is a large snake that was likely highly irritated.

The eastern diamondback is about as deadly as they come in the United States, particularly when they are full grown. The man was over matched to be sure, though he tried anyway to dispose of the snake.

An eight foot rattlesnake is capable of striking at a distance of about half of their body length. Therefore, a rattlesnake that is eight feet long can hit a target that is four feet away. Four feet seemed a safe distance for this man, and he paid for it.

The snake struck him in the lower leg, and the man swung the hoe. The problem was, he stuck the hoe in his leg missing the snake altogether. In his panic, he was struck a second time by the snake before the snake slithered away.

Fortunately, the man lived due to quick action by the EMTs and antivenom, but the point was clear – if you are not a herpetologist or a professional, leave the snakes alone.

If not, you just might get bitten and hoed to death…..

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