i also have a serious fear of snakes and spiders…are there any deadly of the two on the trail?
izzzus
Snakes - Appalachian Trail
system
#3
There are two poisonous snakes you will most likeley find on the AT. Copperheads which like cool wet areas and the Eastern Timber Rattle snake which likes hot dry rocky areas. The copperheads are rather elusive but the rattle snakes are very comon and like to lay on the trail in order to warm up in the sun. They will however let you know when you get too close. Some interesting research has shown that due to so many people killing the snakes natural selection is favoring rattle snakes that do not rattle and thereby giving away their location to snake killers. Please leave the snakes alone, they eat the mice at the shelters and that helps us all.
There are a few poisonous spiders but the one that seems to cause the most problems in shelters is the brown recluse spider. Unless you have an alergic reaction to the venom it is usually not fatal but I can tell you from experience hurts like hell and causes some nasty swelling and a large seeping wound.
Your chances of having a problem with any of the above creatures is very small and should not influence your decision to hike. just be aware of where you are stepping and placing your hands.
Big B