Last Updated on 08/2026 by Mom Goes Camping
This article is brought to you by Joshua Castle who is a professional and licensed snake catcher in Brisbane, Australia. He definitely knows his stuff when it comes to telling whether a snake is about to strike! As a backpacker, I keep my distance from any snakes I see but it is still incredibly useful to know whether a snake you come across on the trail is getting ready to strike. Here’s what Josh has to say.
Reading snakes body language can be very difficult to the untrained eye but there are a few things we should consider when coming across a snake in the wild.
First and foremost, DO not try and catch it yourself and defiantly do not try and kill the snake: 95% of bites happen because the person was untrained in the field and could not read the body language properly. In Australia where I live, snakes are protected by the government so it is actually highly illegal to interfere with these species without the proper permits and licenses.
But let’s say you come across a snake in the wild or maybe you forgot to keep your tent closed and one slithered inside. You’ll be able to tell whether the snake is about to strike by its “mood.”
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Mood 1: Relaxed
If treated with the respect they deserve, some snakes will have a relaxed attitude about them. They will lazily flick their tongue out to taste the air. Snakes have almost no eyesight, so they rely on their tongue flicker to know what is going on.
Mood 2: Unsure
In the unsure mood, a snake will start to flick its tongue more rapidly to try and grasp what is going on around it. This behavior should be observed from 5-10 meters to ensure maximum safety.
Getting any closer could result in a nasty bite. Bear in mind some snakes have an incredible strike range. They can launch their body 2-3x their body length.
Mood 3: About to Strike
If a snake’s tongue stops moving, chances are its spotted you. If you make the mistake of getting too close at this point, 9 out of 10 times the snake will rear up a little into an S-shape position. This S-shape is a sign that the snake is about to strike. Start backpacking away out of strike range.
Below you can see images of snakes in strike position.
Some snakes won’t give you that warning of rearing and S’ing up though, which is why you always need to keep your distance from a snake. It’s not worth the risk of getting close just so you can take a cool photo for Instragram. Please don’t take this for granted. Snakes don’t want to bite you but, if you get within its personal space while its reared up at you, you will most definitely be in for a bad time.
Reading snake body language is very difficult and should be left to a professional snake catcher. At the end of the day, they still are wild species and can turn very quickly, some snakes can almost have a bipolar personally: they will be fine one minute, and the next they are wrapping their mouth around your hand.
Snake Strike FAQ:
How far can a snake strike?
Most snakes strike at roughly a third to half of their body length so a 4-foot snake can realistically reach 1.5 to 2 feet. The safe rule is to give any snake at least 6 feet of clearance, since adrenaline tends to distort distance perception and some species do exceed average strike ranges.
Do all snakes coil before striking?
No, the S-shaped coil is a warning sign in many species but not all. Some snakes strike from a flat or loosely curved position without warning, which is why the safe approach is the same regardless of posture: give it space and back away slowly.
What should you do if a snake is in strike position?
Stop moving. Slowly back away without turning your back on the snake. Don’t make sudden movements, don’t yell, and don’t try to go around it quickly. Give it at least 6-10 feet before changing direction. Once you’re out of range, the snake will almost always retreat on its own.
What does it mean when a snake stops flicking its tongue?
It means the snake has detected you and is processing the threat. Tongue flicking is how snakes sense their environment when it stops, the snake is focused. This is the moment to stop moving and begin slowly backing away, not the moment to take a photo.
Is a rattlesnake rattle always a warning before a strike?
No, rattlesnakes don’t always rattle before striking, particularly when they feel they’ve already been detected and cornered. The rattle is a warning to give the snake time to escape, not a guaranteed pre-strike signal. Never assume silence means safety near a rattlesnake.
Also Read:
- What to do if your see a snake
- How to treat a snake bite in the wild
- What to Do If You See a Snake While Camping
- How to Treat a Snake Bite in the Wild
Image credits:
Joshua Castle “Rattle Snake” (CC BY 2.0) by photogism
