Comments on: Can a rattlesnake bite through leather cowboy boots?

By: Patti Wray

Patti Wray — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:33:59 +0000

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

By: Earthling

Earthling — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:54:59 +0000

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 :

By: rick j

rick j — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:42:59 +0000

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 :

By: cnw002

cnw002 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:54:59 +0000

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

By: Tyler B

Tyler B — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:09:59 +0000

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

By: Helen Scott

Helen Scott — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:24:59 +0000

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

By: oldguy

oldguy — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:59:59 +0000

they sure can if the snake is big enough
References :

By: TKS

TKS — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:28:59 +0000

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