by Shane Dayton

Created on: June 01, 2008

Snake proof boots come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Most importantly, these boots can protect you from the fangs of a venomous snake that might otherwise strike you.

While venomous snake bites are more prevelant in some parts of the country than others, you shouldn't think of snake proof boots as something that you only need for high adventure trekking in the Brazilian rain forest or special footware to prevent snake bites on African or Australian safari.

Venomous snake bites can happen in lakes, ponds, rivers, swamps, forests, deserts, or even plain normal fields away from obvious water supplies. Snake bite proof boots give you additional security. The majority of snake bites happen beneath the knee, often times because a person got too close and didn't even realize it.

There are many companies that make snake proof boots, but three of the most popular are:

Lacrosse Snake Boots
Browning Snake Proof Boots
Chippewa Snake Proof Boots

There are also many other companies who make snake proof boots, but those three are the most popular and probably have the most variety, though it never hurts to look around.

A lot of people wonder why they should even consider buying a pair of snake proof boots. I suppose if all you ever do is stay in a city and go to the mall, then you may have a point.

But even if you don't go outdoors, any friends or family who do will want some of these snake proof boots. Here are some snake bite facts that help show the reasons for this:

1) There are over 8,000 venomous snake bites a year in the United States alone.

2) There are over 23 sub species of rattlesnake alone in the United States.

3) 20-30% of all snake bites from venomous snakes are caleld "dry bites." Dry bites are snake bites that don't transfer any venom and often occur because of a lack of venom (usually do to a recent bite on something else) or penetration could not occur because of the person's clothing.

4) For you world travelers, snake bites kill over 50,000 people a year in India (by far and away more than in the rest of the world combined).

The chances of dying from a snake bite in the United States are extremely small, but why take the chance? Better safe than sorry, and a little extra protection can be a very good thing.

Snake boots also come in many different designs based on use. You can find rubber snake proof hunting boots for swamps and marshland, or you can find snake proof hiking books for those dusty trails. The options really are amazing.

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