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How to avoid snakes in Sri Lanka?

To avoid snakes in Sri Lanka, you should always stick to well-worn paths while hiking, try not to push through dense underbrush, and use a torch when you’re out after dark. Wearing sturdy closed-toe shoes and long trousers in rural areas helps reduce the odds of an encounter quite a lot.


Sri Lanka does have multiple venomous species, but snakes are naturally timid and tend to avoid people. When you’re wandering across tea estates or jungle trails, walking with solid steps can act as a signal, using ground vibrations to let reptiles know you’re nearby so they flee. Also, checking your boots before you put them on, and not reaching into shadowy nooks and crevices will prevent nearly all accidental bites.

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