Outdoors are fun, adventure-filled, and somewhat refreshing. However, depending on where your adventure takes you, the chances of encountering live snakes can be high. That's why many professional adventurers don't leave home without rattlesnake chaps.
It is important to ensure you're protected from snake bites when venturing out in potential snake country. This is because bites from poisonous snakes say rattlesnakes, can cause extreme injury and for certain people be fatal. So having different forms of protection, like snake chaps, means that you can enjoy the outdoors even more.
So let's learn more about chaps and why professional adventurers wear by them!
What Are Rattlesnake Chaps?
Rattlesnake chaps are a piece of clothing worn over your pants to offer protection to your legs and calves. They are comfortable, breathable, and super flexible to enhance movement when outdoors.
These snake chaps are made from strong and durable material that prevents snake fangs from penetrating and piercing your skin. For example, Stone Creek snake chaps have several layers to help keep you safe and protected when hiking, hunting, and traversing the great outdoors.
Many chaps also have other benefits. Stone Creek snake chaps are also waterproof and provide briar and thorn protection.
Why Invest in Rattlesnake Chaps?
The CDC reports rattlesnakes as the largest and most venomous snakes in the United States. Also, rattlesnakes quickly and accurately strike up to one-third of their body length when stretched out or coiled.
This shows how investing in full protection is essential when you're exploring the outdoors.
Why Do Rattlesnakes Bite?
Rattlesnakes, similar to other snakes, bite when they feel invaded and cornered. Therefore, you are likely to find rattlesnakes in rocks, prairies, woodlands, and anywhere off your main trail when hunting or hiking.
While rattlesnakes are known to rattle before striking, this is not always the case, especially when surprised. In addition, it may not be easy to hear the rattling sound if you're chatting with your friends or carrying heavy gear.
Other causes that would prompt a rattlesnake to bite you include trying to pick up the snake. It may seem to go against common sense to pick up a rattlesnake, but sometimes people want to pick one up because it doesn't seem to be alive. And then they're caught with an unfortunate surprise!
So if you're out in the snake country testing your luck with snakes, or just want to use caution, it's very important to have snake chaps as extra protection against potential snake bites.
Dry Bite vs. Normal Bite
A rattlesnake encounter could result in either a dry or normal bite. What's the difference?
A dry snake bite occurs when no venom is released during an attack. You will feel pain and experience some redness and swelling around the snake bite. On the other hand, a normal snake bite occurs when venom is released into your body during a snake attack.
What Happens After A Rattlesnake Bite?
Although there are over 30 rattlesnake species globally, the most venomous rattlesnakes contain hemotoxic elements. A normal snake bite will damage tissue and destroy blood cells and skin tissue. In turn, your circulatory system will be destroyed, causing internal hemorrhage.
Signs of rattlesnake bites include:
Blurred vision
Sweating
Salivating
Difficulty breathing
Lightheadedness
Feeling numb in the limbs and face
Nausea or vomiting
Weakness
*Note: Some of these symptoms can be mistaken for other snake bites not caused by rattlesnakes.
10% to 20% of the total rattlesnake bites in the USA are dry bites. Unfortunately, it's difficult to determine the type of bite during an encounter. For this reason, you should treat all snake bites as a medical emergency.
Fortunately, rattlesnake bites, although dangerous, are treatable. However, the effects could be fatal when medical care is not administered. That said, it's always better to take precautions and wear snake chaps anytime you're outdoors, even taking a stroll in the woods.
How Are Rattlesnake Chaps Made?
Snake chaps are a must-have if you're planning on visiting the outdoors for hunting or hiking. These chaps can help protect against bites from poisonous snakes. However, knowing how the chaps are made is just as important.
So, what makes snake chaps protective?
Material Rattlesnake chaps are made from high-strength fabric to ensure your safety and protection against venomous bites. These snake chaps materials include Cordura Nylon, cotton, Kevlar, spandex, etc.
Whether natural or synthetic, the choice of material is really important as it enhances the chaps' overall strength, durability, and resistance to bites.
Stone Creek snake chaps are made from 4-ply waterproof nylon to ensure strong, flexible and waterproof. We'll see why that is important below.
Field-Testing Field testing involves testing the chaps either with live snakes or a different method that mimics the same power as a snake bite. Manufacturers do this to gauge how effective the chaps may be in a real-life situation.
Why is field-testing important?
It can provide reassurance that the chaps may provide additional protection against bites in snake territory and give you more comfort as the user.
However, it's vital to note that although some companies claim that their snake chaps are snake-proof, this does not give you a 100% guarantee of protection against bites. When you're outdoors, situations can be unpredictable!
Other Important Factors for Rattlesnake Chaps
The material and whether or not snake chaps have been tested are important considerations to make when deciding to buy chaps.
Other factors you should look into include:
Tear-resistant - You will find several layers of fabric in snake chaps. These layers act as a barrier preventing the fangs from penetrating your skin. However, snakes bite hard, making it important to use thick materials when designing chaps.
Stretch and flexibility - Another factor to consider is comfort and flexibility. Considering that you will be outdoors for long hours, it's important to ensure that you're comfortable and flexible enough to walk through the rough terrain. While thick and stiff chaps are great for protection against fangs, the choice of material may hinder your movement. Fortunately, materials like 420 denier nylon are light, flexible, and comfortable patented to ensure your move through the outdoors with ease.
Waterproof - You may get wet outdoors through the wet morning dew or rain. Wet snake chaps weighing down the last thing you want. For this reason, it's wise to consider waterproof chaps. These snake chaps repel water, ensuring that your legs and pants remain dry.
Temperature resistance - Hunting and hiking are activities that happen throughout the year, depending on the weather and temperature. For this reason, hunters and outdoor lovers need chaps that will keep them cool during the hot summer season. Conversely, you need warm chaps if you're traversing the outdoors during cold weather. Wind-resistant snake chaps will be perfect for keeping you warm.
Breathability - Snake chaps need to be breathable, especially since you'll be wearing them all day.
Durability - Unless you're planning on buying snake chaps every so often, you need to get a durable pair. This will protect you from poisonous snakes and last you a long time.
Regions and Species of Rattlesnakes
The U.S. is home to different rattlesnake species and subspecies, commonly found in marshes, deserts, woodlands, foothills, and plains. So, if you're planning on exploring the outdoors, below are regions and species you should expect to encounter.
1. Oregon
Crotalus oreganus, a Western Rattlesnake sub-species, is the most common snake in Oregon, inhabiting most parts except areas around Portland. There are different species of the western rattlesnake, each varying in color and length.
Oregon's most common Western Rattlesnake species include the Northern Pacific rattlesnake and the Great Basin Rattlesnake.
The Northern Pacific rattlesnake is found in most places in Oregon. However, the Great Basin rattlesnake along the Upper Klamath Lake in the south of Oregon.
2. Montana
There's only one type of rattlesnake species in Montana. This, the Prairie or Western rattlesnake, is the only venomous snake in the entire region. However, this snake species is common in the Midwest regions from Canada to Mexico.
Prairie rattlesnakes are common in almost every state in the country. This is because they prefer foothills to woods. In addition, you can find them in some of the biggest cities and towns in Montana, like Bozeman and Billings.
Fortunately, if you're hunting or traversing in Missoula or the Great Falls, you will not encounter the Prairie rattlesnake.
3. Wyoming
Wyoming is home to two venomous snakes, the Western rattlesnake, and the Prairie rattlesnake subspecies.
The first venomous rattlesnake is Crotalus oreganus, a midget-faded rattlesnake that is a subspecies of the Western rattlesnake. Crotalus oreganus can be found far north in Rock Springs and near the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.
The Crotalus Viridis Viridis is the Praire rattlesnake sub-species found in Wyoming. This rattlesnake inhabits various parts from Idaho to Iowa in the east and the Rocky Mountains to the West. Additionally, you can find Crotalus Viridis Viridis in the North American Great Planes.
This midget-faded rattlesnake is also common in areas nearing the Mexican border to the south and parts of Canada past Calgary.
4. Other Regions in the U.S.
Rattlesnakes are very common in different parts of the USA. You can find them in regions like Nebraska, New Jersey, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Oklahoma. In addition, you are likely to find the same species and sub-species in some regions. However, other regions have species that are unique to the area.
Stone Creek Snake Chaps
Stone Creek snake chaps are worn over your jeans to protect against bites while outdoors. They protect your leg from the ankles(the top of your boots) to your hips. In addition, our chaps are field-tested at 8000 PSI.
Enjoying outdoor activities like hiking and hunting is at the core of Stone Creek. Over the years, we have manufactured high-quality, comfortable, and durable snake chaps with excellent results, with your safety as our priority.
So, if you're looking to have some fun outdoors, visit our website or contact us to learn more about our snake chaps.