What Are You Supposed to Do if You See a Snake?

[Deactivated] on 10/08/2015 - 15:45
Last edited 22/04/2019 - 19:04 by 1 other user

I've been having recurring nightmares of coming face-to-face with a snake while going for a run. So , just in case its some kind of premonitory dream :$ , what should I do?

12/08 : Edited to add a question.

We've recently moved to a new place with a massive garden . There are several outbuildings on the property: a shed, a guest house and a gym. Lots of flower scrubs around the guest house. This morning I noticed a couple of "solar snake repellers" around the property. I've always assumed that they were just solar lights. Do these things work? Does that mean that there are snakes brumating around/ under /inside the buildings, waiting for the first day of spring to come out?

Is that what my subconsious has been trying to tell me? O.O

Poll Options

  • 117
    Run for my life
  • 19
    Play dead
  • 30
    Crane-style Kung-fu moves a la Michelle Yeoh
Sports & Outdoors

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2015 - 15:46
    +1

    I'm going with option 1 but I've been told that "one cannot simply outrun a snake" O.O

    • iridiumstem on 10/08/2015 - 16:31
      +10

      Is it similar to "One simply does not walk into Mordor"?

      • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2015 - 18:07
        +1

        Yep…

    • mmd on 11/08/2015 - 02:41

      What about snakes… on a plane?

      • ProjectZero on 11/08/2015 - 09:50
        +2

        You can do what SLJ did and yell out the f-word every second word…

      • itbargainhunter on 12/08/2015 - 09:56

        Simple. Don't watch it.

    • Xyzzy on 11/08/2015 - 08:55
      +6

      You don't need to outrun the snake. You just need to outrun your running partner.

      • ProjectZero on 11/08/2015 - 09:50
        +4

        In other words… just push them over then run…

      • maximum on 12/08/2015 - 16:34

        That's the option I was looking for

    • justinh93 on 12/08/2015 - 08:06
      +2

      Bro, you just gave me a nightmare about a snake last night and options 2 and 3 did not work.

      • [Deactivated] on 12/08/2015 - 08:14

        Crane kung fu worked for me last night.

  • pointless martyr on 10/08/2015 - 16:06
    +37

    Snakes avoid noise and large vibration from a distance so you should be ok running - if you do actually see one, you are supposed to stay still so as not to provoke it into attack mode - just let it pass.

    to be really safe though, always run with a mongoose.

    • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2015 - 17:04
      +4

      Always carry the wife's, squirmy, distracting, dog, in-a-bucket - in the absence of heeding the first sentence ^bove and sans mongoose.

      Alternatively, use a treadmill (not located in a snake pit).

      ~

      Jesus, Jar Jar, you are in the wars at the moment.

      • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2015 - 19:49
        +7

        The dog in the bucket fancies himself a hero…he often forgets that he may hv the spirit of a lion but the body of a little shih Tzu:) I wldn't want him to get hurt… Or the snake, for that matter.

        As for the wars, you'll b happy to know that I've won a few battles this weekend. My rewards were home-made almond friands with a raspberry coulis… n a very promising kiss :-)

        • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2015 - 20:01
          +3

          Yes.

      • Mumbles on 12/08/2015 - 23:31

        Even better is to run with a noisy wife in front of you. When asked why, tell her that you're a booty man :P

    • noshopping on 11/08/2015 - 01:16
      +3

      Best thing would be to create alot of noise (by stamping ground) to let them know you're coming, they should run off.

      • thefunkygibbon on 11/08/2015 - 14:52
        +1

        Unless it's a death adder of course.. it probably won't move :D

      • adam149 on 13/08/2015 - 19:02

        So do the haka at it?

    • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2015 - 18:26
      -3

      Place an indian in defence mode. That way you lose no life points and the indian can charm the snake.

      • NBAD25 on 12/08/2015 - 10:40
        -1

        Bringing back the late 80's stereotype. Kara bunga dude.

        • [Deactivated] on 13/08/2015 - 20:48

          Kara bunga dude.

          Cowabunga, dude!

    • subywagon on 12/08/2015 - 13:33
      +2

      I saw a video recently of a guy standing still to let the snake pass. Guess what it did when it was under his legs? Bit him. o

  • chuneeperformance on 10/08/2015 - 16:08
    +6

    just what ever you do is not run in zigzag pattern … they will get you quicksmart…

  • spackbace on 10/08/2015 - 16:09
    +31

    Zip up your pants…

    • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2015 - 16:11

      Lol

    • JayM on 10/08/2015 - 22:16

      If it's yours that is, if not you're looking in the wrong direction.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hBRJ3sfGv4

      • spackbace on 11/08/2015 - 10:21

        if not you're looking in the wrong direction.

        Spot the receiver! :P

  • cvas on 10/08/2015 - 16:10
    +2

    The old standing still trick doesn't always work

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfpWZQKjoCc

    • airzone on 10/08/2015 - 21:34
      +1

      I came across a curious red bellied black once. Similar to the video above, but I didn't stick around to let it get too close… Every other time I've come across a snake, they've been more interested in getting away

    • subywagon on 14/08/2015 - 20:07

      lol yeah that's the video I was talking about in my post.

  • CheapandUsed on 10/08/2015 - 16:15
    +2

    For Freud, a snake or serpent is a phallic symbol that…
    http://www.snakedreams.org/

    But me personally, encountering a real snake in the wild, make noise and go in another direction.

    • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2015 - 18:43
      +1

      For Freud, a snake or serpent is a phallic symbol that…

      So the question might really be "what would you like to do when coming face-to-face with a snake?"

      • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2015 - 19:26

        Its more what I don't want it to do to me: I don't want it to eat me! :-(

        Edit: and no, I don't hv anything against oral sex. Give or take. So no freudian symbolism there.

      • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2015 - 21:07

        @msTurnip, it scares me. I can't face it. I don't want to. I just want it to go away.
        There's a lot going on in my life at the moment.

        • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2015 - 11:13

          :(

  • tomleonhart on 10/08/2015 - 16:22

    Leave them alone ?

    • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2015 - 16:25

      By running away or standing still?

      • tomleonhart on 10/08/2015 - 16:26
        +1

        turn yourself 90 degrees to the left or right and run that way :P

        • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2015 - 16:28
          +1

          Sounds like plan!

        • coin saver on 10/08/2015 - 18:15

          @Jar Jar Binks: Not a good plan you are liable to run straight into their mate.(Been there done that)Seriously just walk away watching your step as you do and then wipe your pants.

        • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2015 - 18:18

          @coin saver:
          :(

      • This Guy on 12/08/2015 - 08:39

        Away? I thought we were running towards them…

  • stargalaxy on 10/08/2015 - 16:24
    +2

    Play music on your phone, I heard they like music and quite enjoy Taylor Swift's "Shake it Off" song.

    • ProjectZero on 10/08/2015 - 17:04

      I would advise to do nothing of the sort… it might piss them off and you might end up with a shotgun blast to the head.

    • Munki on 10/08/2015 - 17:48

      I think you mean Blank Space. The 'Bitch be crazy' lyrics will scare the snake off.

  • ProjectZero on 10/08/2015 - 17:05
    +1

    Lol I went for play dead because that would be hilarious… it might try to eat you =)

    I think they wouldn't attack you unless you look like you're going to attack them, so just leave it there and go about with your business… unless your business was to do your business on it… then run away really quickly…

  • bargainslut on 10/08/2015 - 17:07

    Run away in a 'zig-zag' fashion. Just ensure you zig more than you zag though.

    • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2015 - 18:39
      +2

      Isn't that for when you're being shot at?

      • bargainslut on 10/08/2015 - 20:39
        +9

        No. For shooting more zaggings than ziggings. I can't believe people like you post disinformation all over the world wide web. Shame on you turnip.

    • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2015 - 22:46

      That's for Croc's lol

  • Davo1111 on 10/08/2015 - 18:36
    +3

    Most snakes will be out of your way, any time they hear you coming.

    Having said that, I was walking in the bush (in long grass) and came across a snake about 1m in front of me. I said "shit" and ran back, the snake freaked (i assume said the same in snake language) and "ran" the opposite direction. Either way we both didnt want to be near each other.

  • djones145 on 10/08/2015 - 18:43

    run on a treadmill…

    where do u run? in national parks?

    • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2015 - 18:53
      +2

      Running is my preferred mode of transport. I often run to work.

      • Flying Ace on 11/08/2015 - 07:39

        Perhaps you should just leave earlier.

        • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2015 - 07:48

          Its a 14km run. I usually leave the car at the office.

  • PVA on 10/08/2015 - 18:44

    just walk around it and it will go its own way, from you.

  • rompastompa on 10/08/2015 - 18:44
    +2

    Just throw some badgers and mushrooms at it.

    In all seriousness, we should learn from our elders.

    Edit: Call the SnakeBusters. (Just googled, found out it's a real company, maybe!)

  • RockyRaccoon on 10/08/2015 - 18:52
    +1

    Depends on the snake.

    Different snake different strategy.

    eg
    Black Snake. Stay still, it will run (slide) away from you
    Brown snake get out of its way. (they are aggressive bastards)

    If its not venomous who cares!

  • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2015 - 19:03
    +2

    On a properly serious note, and, yes, red-bellied black snakes are more timid in contrast to brown (non-raccoons):

    I am assuming that you aren't actually making a habit of running through long grass, but if by some very slim chance you step on a snake whilst running and it doesn't bite you then and there (that, with difficulty, give your forward momentum), even if then goes into a strike-pose while you are still in the vicinity (checking deals on OzBargain, on your phone), it will stand-down from that pose quite quickly, and then slither away.

    If (by that very slim chance mentioned), you do get bitten, use any clothing to fashion a tight compression-bandage above the bite on the limb affected. Don't use that clothing as a tourniquet to cut-off circulation.

  • coin saver on 10/08/2015 - 19:04
    +1

    Do Not try and shoot a snake with a 22 if you miss it will move away from where the bullet hits straight at you(been there done that as well)was funny later but not at the time.

    • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2015 - 19:32

      I'm non-violent… I prefer being a coward n running away.

      On a serious note, I'm not even that scared of snakes in real life. In my dreams, its a different story. I can't even look at it but I know its there n its following me:(

      Edit: glad u made it.

  • shaybisc on 10/08/2015 - 19:26
    +1

    The only snake I've ever been worried about while stumbling about in the bush is the one that won't move and you won't see until you tread on it- the death adder.

  • Natt on 10/08/2015 - 19:42

    I think the idea of being able to tell the future is rubbish. But at the risk of sounding like a hippie, recurring dreams, especially nightmares is significant.

    Couple of options:

    1) There are snakes on your running path, which you are not consciously noticing. But your subconscious did and it's warning you. This is incredibly unlikely, but it is the reason we sometimes have "odd" dreams about people. For example we might be talking to someone who is lying too us, they might sound convincing enough to believe but have given us some non-obvious clues that turn up as a dream (because of the disparity)

    2) More likely, you are sleeping badly. Your dreams are probably happening when you go to sleep between midnight and 3am with your mind very active. Sleeping roughly 4-5 hours before your nightmare (assuming they wake you up). And you might have had a nightmare during a day nap.

    If 2 is actually right, let me know and I'll post some hippie cure suggestions :)

    • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2015 - 19:56

      Its likely to be the second one. The dreams started shortly after the Mrs moved out. Not sure I believe in hippie cure though…

      • donga100 on 10/08/2015 - 20:45

        Are you eating cheese at night?

        • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2015 - 23:03

          Cheesecake. Does that count?

        • xsacha on 12/08/2015 - 11:10

          @Jar Jar Binks: yes, that counts.

  • Natt on 10/08/2015 - 20:39
    +1

    Dreams are odd things.

    If they don't really disrupt things, then
    - try and resolve the real life issues
    - do some destressing

    Note, while you may not actually solve the real life issues, it's the trying to the best of you abilities that counts. When trying to destress use diversion and don't focus on "not having nightmares" - your subconscious cannot tell the difference between do/do not it only knows you are thinking about snakes!

    If they are disruptive and you are having them during naps/4-5 hours into sleep then
    - take very short naps if you are desperate but try not to nap (so you don't go into REM sleep, where you are dreaming)
    - wake yourself up 4 hours into sleep to disturb your REM pattern

    Having to wake yourself up will be a drag, and it's not ideal. But if you are getting that desperate then you also need to try the "hippie" part, and that is:
    - teaching yourself how to dream a certain dream (as a substitute)
    - rehearsing "escaping" the snake dream for example being able to dream it turns into a pink fluffy toy you cuddle, which in theory will happen when you have the snake dream

    I would not bother with all the complicated dream techniques unless it's a long term, really difficult issues. It's a lot of effort. It does work though, even if it sounds silly.

    But hey, I am a regular dreamer so it's not so odd for me. I am a semi-successful "lucid" dreamer, and have a particular dream that I can induce. I have had that same dream a good 40 or so times over six months. So it's not "chance".

    • [Deactivated] on 10/08/2015 - 20:47

      Thanks Natt. I'm working on the real life issues.

  • Natt on 10/08/2015 - 20:50
    +1

    this is a pretty good explanation of "lucid dreaming" for those curious:
    www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYSX51xBkos

    Sadly if you do any reading "lucid dreaming" tends also to give search results for "astral travelling"/"OBEs". Which like precog dreams is also imho not possible.

    Anyway that's my 2c.

  • Parentheses on 11/08/2015 - 00:00
    +1

    Ignoring the dream part of things, snakes just aren't nearly as quick over any sort of distance or aggressive as people seem to believe (the video where the guy gets bitten standing still he is on a hot road, there is nowhere for the snake to hide).

    What makes snakes dangerous is the way they blend in to everything, and don't move most of the time - you get bitten when you step on them, or near enough.

    If you're running in bush, you need decent boots and loose, long pants, preferably denim or strong canvas material.

  • 2real4u on 11/08/2015 - 00:01

    Don't play dead, trust me I died last time I tried that option

  • anderstand on 11/08/2015 - 00:08

    it's dangerous to go alone, here take this sword.

  • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2015 - 04:28
    +1

    I came across a 6 foot diamond headed python, in remote bush. We just stared at one another for 5 or 10 seconds, then I backed away feeling safer. Maybe look at the snake (like a fellow animal), hopefully your fear might ease???

    Also, for a few weeks watch what sort of crap (tv etc) you're feeding into your brain. TV has a lot of disturbing stuff on it.

    Best.

    • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2015 - 08:48

      I've moved a TV into my bedroom n have been watching NBC's Hannibal to put me to sleep. No wonder I've been having nightmares about being eaten.

      • AussieDolphin on 11/08/2015 - 20:05

        Ha ha, I had nightmares from watching Orphan Black before bed :).

        On another note my father has a scar on his ankle from a snake bite. Happened while he was riding a motorbike….. all in real life =).

  • Dr Techno on 11/08/2015 - 04:45
    +1

    When I was a little kid a snake crossed my path.. I did some serious Michael Jackson dance moves. It tangoed with me a little bit then decided to go the other way when I nearly stepped on it..

  • Geewhizz on 11/08/2015 - 06:37
    +1

    The theory about making a lot of noise is a furphy. Snakes are deaf.

    The vast majority of snakes will get out of your way, and it's when they're cornered or confronted that they will bite. Best advice - leave them alone. We get a few varieties of snakes at our place regularly, including Eastern Browns. They can be nasty suckers, and aren't as retiring as many others. I walked barefoot near the back door one morning and brushed past one with my foot before I realised it was there. Fortunately it was a cool morning, so it couldn't move very fast.

    I have a morbid fear of creepy crawlies of nearly every description, but simply live with the knowledge that they're out there, and always be alert and respectful when they do appear. Most instances of snake bite are when the person is trying to kill them.

    • shaybisc on 11/08/2015 - 07:48

      "There's been this enduring myth that snakes are deaf," says neurobiologist Bruce Young of the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, who was not involved in the new research. "Behavioral studies have suggested that snakes can in fact hear, and now this work has gone one step further and explained how."

      http://news.sciencemag.org/2011/12/vibrating-skulls-help-sna…

      Christensen, C. B., Christensen-Dalsgaard, J., Brandt, C. and Madsen, P. T. (2012). Hearing with an atympanic ear: good vibration and poor sound-pressure detection in the royal python, Python regius. J. Exp. Biol. 215, 331-342.

      • Geewhizz on 11/08/2015 - 11:01

        They don't hear sounds, they feel vibrations.

        • Abaddon on 12/08/2015 - 14:59

          Is that not the definition of hearing?

  • Guilty Flamez on 11/08/2015 - 07:39
    +1

    Snake in dream represents the enemy in really life.

    • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2015 - 07:45
      -2

      I don't hv any enemy.

  • ahly92 on 11/08/2015 - 07:55
    +3

    Snakes in dreams usually represent enemy. maybe in ur workforce or family

    In general a snake or a serpent in a dream represent jealousy, envy, perfidy, swindling people's properties, deceit and an avowed enmity.

    A black snake in a dream represents a strong enemy. A white snake in a dream represents a weak enemy.

    A snake in a dream also means enmity from one's in-laws or children, or it could represent the evil and jealousy of one's neighbour

  • porsche26c on 11/08/2015 - 08:20
    +2

    try and remove your jacket (if wearing one), drop it and run as it will attack the jacket.
    either way run like hell.

  • outlander on 11/08/2015 - 08:27

    Was this the dream?

    A robust serpant appeared and dove into the sea. It stabbed an apple with its broad sword and then fired rounds from his shiny, black, imposing handgun

    • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2015 - 08:41

      Nope.

  • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2015 - 08:50
    +1

    G Morning, Jar Jar.
    I hope you had at least some ok sleep.

    I knew that there was something about this wabbit.
    The (current, anyway), slightly edgy, ever-so-slightly jumpy, spirit animal of one J.J.Binks?
    Hmm…

    Stay out of trouble!

    • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2015 - 09:13

      I had a very eventful night: a double whammy of nightmares and got scratched by my current spirit animal, Darthie the cat.

      Wiki came around early this morning to use the "home gym".

      • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2015 - 09:44

        Wiki came around early this morning to use the "home gym".

        Good. I trust that you were part of the gym equipment and that she scratched you like a cat.

        AKA diff double w.

        • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2015 - 18:05
          +1

          The txt said:

          Can't sleep. Is it ok if I use the home gym?

          Received @4.27 a.m. I reached the exact same conclusion that you did: she's coming over for sex! So I got out of bed, had a quick shower, brushed my teeth, checked on the kids , briefly thought of changing the bed sheet but ran out of time…

          She came in and said "you look like hell" :(
          …and offered to make me a cup of coffee :)

          I fell asleep on the couch while waiting for that cup of coffee. I woke up to a nice, warm body rubbing themselves against my back and a tongue in my ear. The warm body was Darthie's ,the cat and the tongue belonged to Ewok, the shih Tzu :(

          She left a note to say that she's dropping off the kids at school.

          I guess we'll never know what "home gym" really means or why there was something that looked like lipstick at the corner of my lips when I woke up.

          Re. work:
          I had an amazingly productive day :) Hope you did too.

        • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2015 - 19:43

          @Jar Jar Binks: Um, ya gotta luv instagrum, Mr. Binks.

          I was reminded today of something, or rather - someone - that was in my feed the other week.

          ~ WARNING ~

          Do not click on this highly.slinky.linky any.time near to your bed.time - particularly given that your gym.bunny.friend might decide to hop in again one morning and need you to actually be awake & refreshed.

          Still, looking at that link might help desensitise you to your fear.
          Or not.
          Could go either way, really.
          It is a great photo.

          My.Day was okay.

        • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2015 - 19:47

          @Tas: is it a snake?

        • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2015 - 19:51

          @Jar Jar Binks: Um, it might be

          (it is)

        • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2015 - 20:12

          @Jar Jar Binks: Jar Jar?

          (it's a non-venomous one)

        • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2015 - 20:20

          @Tas:
          Can't.

        • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2015 - 20:45
          +1

          @Jar Jar Binks: Ok. I didn't quite realise.

          You may need to see someone if the nightmare stuff persists.
          I think that there are specific programs and courses for people with real issues relating to spiders, snakes, etc.

          Both in the real world, and in your dreams, you will be fine.

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