I think to calm things down a bit, we need to realise that most snakes will do all they can to stay away from where humans are, especially the Adder which is the only poisonous snake in the Uk.
That also applies to camping, although its not a bad idea to check your sleeping bag for any kind of wildlife before turning in.
I did find a mouse many years ago who took a fancy to the padding in my sleeping bag.
Its always best to store food in coolbox or sealed container, as most animals will smell food that is left out a mile away.
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In over 40 years of camping and sleeping out the only thing I have woken up to was a mouse sitting on my sleeping bag and staring at me. That was in Culra bothy. I have seen a lot of Adders and grass snakes in that time but only in the summer and usually on rocky hillsides.We did have a lot of butterflies in the tent the last time we were in France. Does that count?
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once a snake gets into your tent though it may become agitated / aggressive because it Cant escape even if it wants to and then attack / bite the campers in the tent.
especially as in the summer tents can get very warm inside which snakes Do like ... and the warmer a snake the more agile / faster they get and can attack more aggresively.
as folks bring / keep snakes varieties that perhaps are illegal ( there is a roaring trade in some exotic and particualrly venomous snakes ) ... they fall into the wrong hands and when they tire of the expense and routines of looking after them ( and the costs! ) they conveniently " allow " these snakes to escape - and around campsites with grass, rocks, trees, is the perfect place for them to forage, find food etc.
pythons are particularly dangerous as although not poisonous - they give a nasty bite and are strong & fast moving - if someone was asleep in their tent adn the python got in, they would have to wake up fast and get away before the snake coiled itself around them which they can do surprisingly quickly ...
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Quote: Originally posted by pnefan on 29/1/2017
Have a feeling this post would have been better in the jokes section. Its starting to feel a bit surreal.
perhaps you might like to go camping around the village of Paull ... theres signs all around warning of the high population of poisonous Adders in the area...
ignore them at your peril - come and let us know who the joke is on after lol
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Quote: Originally posted by VangoMan02 on 28/1/2017
I think to calm things down a bit, we need to realise that most snakes will do all they can to stay away from where humans are, especially the Adder which is the only poisonous snake in the Uk.
That also applies to camping, although its not a bad idea to check your sleeping bag for any kind of wildlife before turning in.
I did find a mouse many years ago who took a fancy to the padding in my sleeping bag.
Its always best to store food in coolbox or sealed container, as most animals will smell food that is left out a mile away.
I agree with storing food in containers so as not to attract vermin and also to empty the waste bin regularly and certainly before going out or going to bed.
One thing that has not been mentioned though is that I wonder how many people store camping gear in sheds and outhouses, or even store rooms on the ground floor of houses, and actually take the vermin with them packed warmly inside their tents and sleeping bags.
I know I once took home a gaggle of earwigs inside my tent (must have been in the sleeves I think) which didn't please the wife when they crawled out into the bedroom where I had dumped my tent on return from a trip.
I'm quite impressed the OP managed to stay calm and quietly place the snake outside. I'm not afraid of snakes in general but waking up to one in my sleeping bag might result in the entire campsite being woken up..
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Quote: Originally posted by hankakampa on 29/1/2017
Quote: Originally posted by pnefan on 29/1/2017
Have a feeling this post would have been better in the jokes section. Its starting to feel a bit surreal.
perhaps you might like to go camping around the village of Paull ... theres signs all around warning of the high population of poisonous Adders in the area...
ignore them at your peril - come and let us know who the joke is on after lol
[/QUOTE
Have to say after 43 years camping we have only twice had trouble with vermin and they were the two legged variety. But there is always a possibility I suppose of other types. But normally wild life of the animal variety have the good sense to give a wide berth to homo sapiens.