Can a rattlesnake bite through leather cowboy boots?
Filed under: cowboy boots

If I go rattle snake searching and wear my leather cowboy boots and snake-bite proof leggins, can the snakes fangs penetrate my boots? I’m not talking the sole of the shoe, Im talking about the rest of it. Please sight your sources so i may follow up on this.

If you are wearing "snake-bite proof leggins" (as you mentioned), over your boots, no, the fangs will not touch your boots. Even if they did, they wouldn’t be able to penetrate through your boot as well.

I don’t mess around after a six foot eastern diamondback bit through the outer tire and inner tubing of my mountain bike while I was trying to get him out of the road. I put the bike in between because I was wearing shorts and no shoes. And I was looking for a good stick (yes, true story). I used to wear U.S. army leggings over leather cowboy boots (very awkward and uncomfortable). Here is what I wear now (the best in my opinion).

Chippewa 23913 Men’s Snake Boot

http://www.snakeboots.com/index.htm

Here are some other options if you’re concerned about being bitten above the knee (very, very rare with North American vipers biting adults). If you’re kneelin or squating while handling, then there is a chance, but I stand with my legs straight and bend over at the waist, unless dealing with corals, pygmies, massasaugas, or very small juvenile crotalus specimens.

http://www.snakeboots.com/snakechapsbrown.htm

http://www.turtleskin.com/Snake-Chaps.aspx

http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0007284940147a.shtml

However, Carhartt or Railriders over leather cowboy boots and heavy socks are also a good alternative. These are what my uncle wears, and he’s been dealing with rattlesnakes much longer than me.

http://www.carhartt.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10101&storeId=10051&productId=32080&langId=-1&categoryId=10935

http://www.railriders.com/men-yukon-canvas-work-pants-p-907.html?cPath=104_110

I have been handling rattlesnakes and other venomous snakes for over two decades and I’ll still take the boots I mentioned above.

Sorry, can’t find any documentation of a snake biting through both snake leggings and boots.

admin @ 5:08 pm

8 Comments for 'Can a rattlesnake bite through leather cowboy boots?'

  1.  
    TKS
    November 5, 2009 | 10:28 pm
     

    You should be fine, but nothing is 100%.
    References :
    Uncle who used to go rattlesnake hunting.

  2.  
    oldguy
    November 5, 2009 | 10:59 pm
     

    they sure can if the snake is big enough
    References :

  3.  
    Helen Scott
    November 5, 2009 | 11:24 pm
     

    anything is possible, but it’s unlikely the fangs will penetrate.
    References :

  4.  
    Tyler B
    November 6, 2009 | 12:09 am
     

    yea if it can bite through animal hide it be like a hot knife on butter

    but way to go asking now lol
    References :
    ME! 4-H’er at NC Zoo for 2 years

  5.  
    cnw002
    November 6, 2009 | 12:54 am
     

    Yes they can go through the boot, to keep them from biting you wear at least two pairs of thick wool socks.

    Edit: If you want published facts rather than just personal knowledge, this article http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2001/07/22/MNL169447.DTL&hw=Slowinski&sn=004&sc=161
    mentions a man being bit through his boot
    References :
    Common knowledge in rural Texas, and the pile of boots with puncture holes in my barn

  6.  
    rick j
    November 6, 2009 | 1:42 am
     

    your good with the boots and leggings.
    Make sure you know what your doing and take a LONG pole with a hook on the end to control the snake.
    References :

  7.  
    Earthling
    November 6, 2009 | 1:54 am
     

    If you are wearing "snake-bite proof leggins" (as you mentioned), over your boots, no, the fangs will not touch your boots. Even if they did, they wouldn’t be able to penetrate through your boot as well.

    I don’t mess around after a six foot eastern diamondback bit through the outer tire and inner tubing of my mountain bike while I was trying to get him out of the road. I put the bike in between because I was wearing shorts and no shoes. And I was looking for a good stick (yes, true story). I used to wear U.S. army leggings over leather cowboy boots (very awkward and uncomfortable). Here is what I wear now (the best in my opinion).

    Chippewa 23913 Men’s Snake Boot

    http://www.snakeboots.com/index.htm

    Here are some other options if you’re concerned about being bitten above the knee (very, very rare with North American vipers biting adults). If you’re kneelin or squating while handling, then there is a chance, but I stand with my legs straight and bend over at the waist, unless dealing with corals, pygmies, massasaugas, or very small juvenile crotalus specimens.

    http://www.snakeboots.com/snakechapsbrown.htm

    http://www.turtleskin.com/Snake-Chaps.aspx

    http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0007284940147a.shtml

    However, Carhartt or Railriders over leather cowboy boots and heavy socks are also a good alternative. These are what my uncle wears, and he’s been dealing with rattlesnakes much longer than me.

    http://www.carhartt.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10101&storeId=10051&productId=32080&langId=-1&categoryId=10935

    http://www.railriders.com/men-yukon-canvas-work-pants-p-907.html?cPath=104_110

    I have been handling rattlesnakes and other venomous snakes for over two decades and I’ll still take the boots I mentioned above.

    Sorry, can’t find any documentation of a snake biting through both snake leggings and boots.
    References :

  8.  
    Patti Wray
    November 6, 2009 | 2:33 am
     

    Snakes are dangerous,crafty/wise he’ll find a way……Just say satan get the under my foot……lol……….Blessings Yahoo
    References :
    GOD’s Words

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