Virginia's Venomous and Nonvenomous Snakes: Hiking Safety, Myths, and Appreciation with Caroline Seitz, Virginia Herpetological Society (Ep 62, Part 2)

Virginia Outdoor Adventures: Hiking, Camping, Kayaking, Local Travel and more!

We’re slithering into the fascinating world of Virginia’s snakes, equipping you with practical tips to enjoy the great outdoors while respecting these often-misunderstood creatures.

In Part 2 of this two-part episode, Caroline Seitz of the Virginia Herpetological Society, helps us dispel common myths and misconceptions while broadening our understanding and appreciation of our native species.

Caroline tackles listener questions about safety measures and snake behavior, offering practical advice for snake encounters, so you can hit the trails with confidence. Let’s Go!

Don’t miss part 1 of this two-part episode. Last week, Caroline covered how many species of snakes are native to Virginia and which are venomous, our most common species throughout the state, the difference between venomous and poisonous, and whether hikers should be concerned about encountering a snake on the trail.
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Mentioned in this Episode:
Virginia Herpetological Society

Book: Guide to Snakes and Lizards of Virginia
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Chapters

1. Virginia's Venomous and Nonvenomous Snakes: Hiking Safety, Myths, and Appreciation with Caroline Seitz, Virginia Herpetological Society (Ep 62, Part 2) (00:00:00)

2. Episode Introduction (00:00:01)

3. Are Cottonmouth snakes found all over Virginia? (00:04:16)

4. Do venemous snakes interbreed with nonvenemous snakes? (00:04:44)

5. Is it common to come across a venomous snake? (00:06:03)

6. How to get a snake ID from the VA Herpetological Society (00:08:54)

7. What is most misunderstood about snakes? (00:13:43)

8. Are there tree snakes in Virginia? (00:13:43)

9. How far north could pythons spread? (00:14:34)

10. Is anything still alive when it gets into that snake belly? (00:16:00)

11. Will long pants protect against snake bites? (00:17:45)

12. Should hikers carry antivenom? (00:19:43)

13. What should a hiker do if bitten while in a remote area? (00:21:23)

14. Tips for getting over a fear of snakes (00:24:59)

15. Empathy, education, and appreciation (00:29:26)

16. Good time to find snakes in Virginia (00:31:36)