I was recently hiking on the Appalachian Trail in the Port Clinton, Pennsylvania area an encounters a snake. It struck at me, but missed. I appeard black with lighter markings on it's back. It made a hissing sound, which is what made me stop along the trail, and almost get bitten.

Any idea what kind of snake it was. Also, any idea what my first aid options were. I was at least 5 miles into the hike and alone.

Thanks

RickJ

Many non-poisonous snakes will try to bite - and some quite persistently - and some will even gash you good.

Some even wiggle their tail like a rattler.

That's fyi.

There are but 3 poisonous snakes in PA, and only one is close to your description; the Eastern Massasauga...but it is rarely seen.

Click here for a thumbnail page of Pennsylvania's snakes, where you can probably find and ID the one you saw.

I hope this helps!

Joep

Thanks for your reply. Will Rattle snakes hiss. I thought I would be able to distinctly hear a rattle.

RickJ

Many snakes - even non poisonous ones - hiss. And yes, if it was a rattler, you'd have nearly certainly heard it.

Joep

Thanks for your reply. That makes me feel better since my description may have been off because I was running in the oposite direction.

RickJ

lol
you are welcome!

lilfyre

Listed below you will find a link that will take to you to Snakes of Massachusetts, now I know that it is not Pennsylvania but the snakes in the area are pretty much the same give or take a few snake. This site has been very helpful in identifying most of the snakes that seem to show up in our back yard and we are in New Jersey, I hope that it is in some way helpful to you.


http://www.umass.edu/nrec/snake_pit/index.html