CHRISTIANSTED — Over the past few weeks, a lot of people have commented on how many snakes they have been seeing.
Seeing snakes this time of year is a common occurrence but not in the frequency that some have been reported. It’s not so much that we have a bumper crop of snakes, but rather the weather conditions we are currently experiencing.
St. Croix is in a severe drought and the snakes are simply reacting to the dry spell by hanging out closer to water sources.
Snakes do not need a lot of water to survive, but the prey that they feed on does. That is why people are seeing more snakes that usual for this time of the year.
Regardless of the reason why, a snake is still a snake and the likelihood of a close encounter is greater when conditions are dry like they are now.
If bitten by a snake it is important not to panic but get to a medical facility as soon as possible. Death from a snake bite is extremely rare but damage to tissue around the bite area can be extreme. Some common practices to treat snake bite include putting ice on the bite or putting a tourniquet above the bite to prevent the spread of the venom.
Then there is the old boy scout method of cut and suck the poison out. Actually experts believe that the less first aid done before going to the hospital the better as often timers the first aid administered is more damaging than the snake bite.
The best way to not get snake bit is to be watchful where you step, where you put your hand or where you sit. The snakes are not out to get you they just want to be left alone and not threatened.