All snakes can swim, their morphology makes it possible for them to hunt both on land and in water, and there are species which surely prefer water as their main life environment. Tree branches touching the water surface or overhanging trees are the favorite spots of water snakes to wait for their prey. Thus, when on a fishing expedition, you need to take the same precaution measures as when you go in the wild on land and you take all the precautions to avoid snakes. Some species cling to tree branches and once movement is spotted, they instantly drop; this is pretty risky if you get one of these poisonous species into your boat. Dealing with a frightened snake in the crammed space of the boat can be scary for anybody.
Some water snakes have peaceful habits according to humans while others become a ticking bomb when in danger. Sea water snakes are considered among the most dangerous and venomous creatures on the planet. Sea water snakes are so lethal as the concentration of the toxins has been adapted to their life environment: they have to strike fast and kill as fast or they lose the prey that flees or drops on the bottom of the ocean. Nevertheless, there are less chances of becoming the victim of sea water snakes than coming across a water moccasin. Most of the advice given in survival guides consequently refers to the ways to protect yourself against fresh water snakes that live in wetlands, lakes and rivers.
When you go boating one great tip is to always have some form of handled reptile grip tool if you have to cross river areas with overhanging branches. Try to grip some hose pieces as a form of practice before you launch the canoe, so as to be ready for the least friendly of encounters. If you spot water snakes swimming, these are not a threat to you, if you are on boat as they cannot jump out of the water. Should there be bites, an identification of the snake would be of much help in case you need to administrate an antivenin.
The bite of nonvenomous water snakes usually looks like a horse shoe-shaped area of tiny punctures that may be bleeding or not. In case you get only two punctured wounds, then you most probably have been bitten by a poisonous specimen and an emergency medical intervention is immediately necessary. Include a venom removal pump in the first aid kit in the boat as as it can help you delay the spreading of the toxin in the blood and thus buy some extra time before the administration of the antidote.
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