WATCH HOW THESE 2 KIDS GET SWALLOWED BY TWO SNAKES.

Rattlesnakes, and most snakes in general, are not aggressive and won’t chase you. They only strike when they’re threatened, handled incorrectly, or accidentally touched by someone who can’t see them while walking or climbing. Still, there are about 8,000 venomous snake bites every year in the U.S., with an average of 10 to 15 deaths, so it’s good to know how to avoid them. Here’s what the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends:



Always wear boots and thick socks that cover the ankle, and never go barefoot or wear sandals in areas you might find snakes of any kind. Loose-fitting pants aren’t a bad idea either.
Stick to well-used trails, and avoid tall grass, weeds, and heavy underbrush where snakes like to hide.
Never put your hands or feet in or near a crevice that you can’t see into.
Step onto large rocks or fallen trees in your path, not over them. A snake might be hiding just out of sight on the other side.
Be careful reaching for anything, be it rocks, firewood logs, or sticks—even in the water. Rattlesnakes can swim quite well. If you have to move something, roll it toward you so a snake can escape away from you in the other direction. If they feel trapped, they will bite you.
Always check stumps, rocks, and logs before sitting down. And shake out sleeping bags before each use.
Do not provoke, harass, harm, or try to capture any snakes you come across. The Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center notes that almost 70% of the reptile bites they manage are due to individuals provoking the animal that bit them.
A loud rattling sound is a sure sign you’ve angered a rattlesnake. But as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife explains, the distinctive “rattle” of the rattlesnake won’t always be present. They are sometimes broken off and lost, or they may not have developed properly when the snake was young. Other snakes, like the non-venomous gopher snake, will even mimic rattlesnakes by flattening their head and vibrating their tails.