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What precautions against wildlife should I take while hiking in Texas brushland?
By HikingOn | April 16, 2009
I will be travelling to the Texas panhandle next week for work, and likely doing some minor hiking through rural fields/brushland? What should I do to keep myself safe from local wildlife…including rattlesnakes and scorpions?
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Topics: Hiking | 1 Comment »
April 16th, 2009 at 7:50 am
Wear long pants and boots with leather uppers (above the ankle).
Typically, the rattlesnakes will hear & see you before you get too close, and you will not mistake the rattling sound they make. If you hear one, back up on the trail until the snake calms down and moves off the trail. I see them frequently when hiking here in Utah.
Also, the striking distance of a snake is about one half it's length. Rattlesnakes aren't that big, usually only a few feet, so you have to be pretty close to get bitten.
About the scorpions, keep your shoes covered or in your tent at night if you are camping. Since there are no species of scorpion that is considered lethal in the US (Texas), there is not much to worry about there. Their sting produces similar effects as a bee/wasp; pain, itching, may last a few days.