# Would mace work on a snake? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 17, 2002, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mace-work-on-a-snake/137108 "2002-11-17T01:52:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Daylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/45deac/32.png) [@Daylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daylon)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mace-work-on-a-snake/137108/21 "2002-11-17T12:38:24Z")
it would seriously affect anything that depends on mucous membranes…eyes, lungs, etc… as far as pepper being a mammal only pain…you have it half right. Humans are the only animals that eat peppers on a regular basis ON PURPOSE. D. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mace-work-on-a-snake/137108/22 "2002-11-17T12:49:21Z")
A ranger at the Everglades Park Headquarters once told me that they had received credible reports of anaconda sightings within the park. From the way he talked, I doubt a stick would be effective against an anaconda. ---
**Author:** ![cichlidiot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f9b8f/32.png) [@cichlidiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cichlidiot)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mace-work-on-a-snake/137108/23 "2002-11-17T15:50:40Z")
I’ll second a walking stick and add appropriate clothing as your best bets to avoid snake bites. I hike on a regular basis in areas with rattlesnakes, rubber boas, racers, etc. My experience is that these snakes run away if able to do so. A friend of mine keeps several snakes, snakes that I would not feel comfortable handling at all. In my experience if I want to keep a snake, I have to be willing to risk being bitten. I realize this is not the case with all handlers, since many people keep venomous or “hot” snakes. Some of the snakes in my friend’s collection have considerable sized fangs and exceptional striking distances. He keeps bottles of mouthwash on hand for emergencies. Doing a search I found this segment: “The easiest and fastest way to disengage a snake’s mouth from your body [is] with grain alcohol; in a school setting, you can use Listerine or, if none is available, isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. The latter can be toxic, so you must make sure that the snake’s mouth is not flooded with it. Always tilt the snake’s head downwards so that the fluid does not run up into its nose; from there it can get into its respiratory tract, causing infections.” This was from a gopher snake information page. [http://www.reptilemall.com/caresheets/gopher.html](http://www.reptilemall.com/caresheets/gopher.html) I don’t know how effective mouth wash would be while hiking, so I’d stay with a walking stick. I guess I should add that all of the snake bites I have received have occurred while handling snakes, not hiking. ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mace-work-on-a-snake/137108/24 "2002-11-17T17:39:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DAVEW0071 \* > **You could carry a spray bottle of gasoline and use that, I suppose. But if it didn’t work and you got eaten by an anaconda, I’d feel bad.** I wouldn’t. No offense to Zette, though. [[And they don’t usually carry knives, because, you know, no arms.]] There’s a one liner joke in here somewhere, about a snake bearing arms, but I can’t think of it right now. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mace-work-on-a-snake/137108/25 "2002-11-17T17:48:49Z")
I would think it would just piss the snake off and make him more likely to strike. ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mace-work-on-a-snake/137108/26 "2002-11-17T18:00:46Z")
I’m tending to agree with Guin. Again, I have no intention of going out and randomly attacking snakes with anything- I stay FAR away from them, believe me. I was just wonding about the spray/mace. Great info, though, folks. I appreciate it! And If I get eaten by an anaconda, I’ll remember that you said that, Jill. Or something like that. ---
**Author:** ![Rhum\_Runner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rhum\_Runner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhum_Runner)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mace-work-on-a-snake/137108/27 "2002-11-17T18:08:38Z")
I would think that something like this would be great snake insurance. [.410 Revolver](http://www.ludd.luth.se/~antenna/dc/weap/thun5.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mace-work-on-a-snake/137108/28 "2002-11-17T18:14:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zette \* > It’s just something that crossed my mind, since people do carry things like mace/pepper spray for unexpected encounters with bears and such, and I was wondering if it would do anything to a snake. Trust me, I won’t be out seeking out snakes to mace. Using mace on a bear predisposes being _extremely close_ to the bear in order to use it. By that time, the bear is already after you and mace will only make it worse. Carrying mace against a snake means having the mace out, in hand and at the ready while hiking in order to do any good – especially with those snakes that lie in wait and _strike!_ just as you pass by. If you’re so afraid to be out and about that you have to carry mace against snakes – or a gun against a bear in a national park – do your hiking by driving an SUV. At least that way when you get into trouble and call for help with your cell phone, you can relax in comfort knowing help will find you in no time; they’ll just follow the torn up land to trace your path. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mace-work-on-a-snake/137108/29 "2002-11-17T18:15:21Z")
This [article](http://www.academicpress.com/inscight/02082002/graphb.htm) suggests that the pain caused by capsaicin is unique to mammals. > [@](#): > > A new study reveals the cellular difference that makes mammals uniquely sensitive to capsaicin > > they report the discovery of a segment of the VR1 protein that is unique to mammals and enables the receptor to bind capsaicin. > > The receptor transmits other types of painful stimuli in addition to the chili’s sting Capsaicin binds to a mammalian protein and THAT is what causes the pain. Birds are completely unaffected and can happily eat habaneros all day long. You’re probably better off with a stick, good boots, and some caution. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mace-work-on-a-snake/137108/30 "2002-11-17T18:32:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rhum Runner \* > \*\*I would think that something like this would be great snake insurance. > > [.410 Revolver](http://www.ludd.luth.se/~antenna/dc/weap/thun5.htm) \*\* My father carried shells like [this](http://www.midwayusa.com/midwayusa/applications/eproductpage.exe/ShowProduct?saleitemid=709816) in a revolver for snake supression while hunting. ---
**Author:** ![buzzz\_kill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/439d5e/32.png) [@buzzz\_kill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buzzz_kill)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mace-work-on-a-snake/137108/31 "2002-11-17T19:13:08Z")
Why the hell would anyone need to mace a snake? If you have enough time to search for, find, aim and then trigger a can of mace, you would surly have enough time to move out of its way! Leave it alone and it will surely leave you alone! The only snake aggressive enough to attack a person (unless threatened) is the dreaded “Black Mamba”. (Who by the way resides in Africa) Unless your into animal cruelty, "leave it alone!!! Vent-Vent-Vent- Now that I’m done venting! Doesn’t mace work by seeping into your pores and mucus membranes? I never did see a crying snake sweat. ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mace-work-on-a-snake/137108/32 "2002-11-17T19:53:54Z")
- - - Mace don’t work. On anything. It makes you “uncomfortable”, yes, but being next to a dead bear and being next to an uncomfortable bear are two entirely different situations. If you’re that afraid of bears, carry a .357 (black bears) or a .44 (brown bears, & pray devoutly as you’re aiming). ~ ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mace-work-on-a-snake/137108/33 "2002-11-17T20:31:42Z")
Mace Security International, the company that owns the Mace trademark, also makes “Bear Pepper Mace” which presumably works on bears. Mace itself was originally a trademark for the lachrymator chloroacetophenone (CN), but now the product contains ortho-chlorobenzylidene-malononitrile (CS). These names alone are enough to make a snakes eyes water. The actual substances, with or without added pepper, are much more powerful ;). ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2002, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mace-work-on-a-snake/137108/34 "2002-11-17T21:59:04Z")
> [@](#): > > Mace Security International, the company that owns the Mace trademark, also makes “Bear Pepper Mace” which presumably works on bears. - - - Yea, but if you put a bullet into a bear’s brain it’s pretty likely he isn’t going to be much of a threat. Does Mace International make any kind of guarantee that their product will drive off 100% of all bears? -Do they even make the claim that it will disable 100% of all people? ~ ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mace-work-on-a-snake/137108/35 "2002-11-18T00:26:30Z")
Here’s a Straight Dope staff report by **Colibri** about hot peppers and birds and mammals: [http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mchili.html](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mchili.html) Oh, and any suggestion about what kind of bullets or poison I should use on the cat from next door that stalks birds at my feeder? And the other neighbor’s dog that craps in my front yard in the middle of the night? ---
**Author:** ![Rhum\_Runner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rhum\_Runner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhum_Runner)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mace-work-on-a-snake/137108/36 "2002-11-18T00:32:02Z")
> [@](#): > > any suggestion about what kind of bullets or poison I should use on the cat from next door that stalks birds at my feeder I have heard that a good way to poison animals is to let a can of tuna sit out in the open with a little hole in it until a good crop of botulism (sp?) sets in, then remove rest of lid and set out for pesky animal to eat. Failing that, you might ask the neighbor to put a collar and bell on the little darling so at least the birds hear it coming… ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mace-work-on-a-snake/137108/37 "2002-11-18T11:32:09Z")
Bells on cats have proven not to work in warning birds. But ftr, I’d never shoot or poison an animal. Even a pesty non-native predator. I can’t imagine why anyone would ever need to kill a snake, either. They’re not even good to eat. ---
**Author:** ![heresiarch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@heresiarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heresiarch)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mace-work-on-a-snake/137108/38 "2002-11-18T16:15:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cichlidiot \* > \*\*Doing a search I found this segment: "The easiest and fastest way to disengage a snake’s mouth from your body [is] with grain alcohol; in a school setting, you can use Listerine or, if none is available, isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. /snip/ > I don’t know how effective mouth wash would be while hiking, so I’d stay with a walking stick. \*\* Walking stick, hell! You’ve just given us a great justification to take grain alcohol on a camping trip! Grain Alcohol could [ul][li]repel the snakes (OK, that’s a stretch)[/li][li]get them to disengage if they DO bite[/li][li]sterilize your wounds[/li][li]relieve snake bite pain[/li][/ul] Just don’t let the alcohol impair your judgment to the point where you are seeking out snakes to play with. Have a fun and safe camping trip, **Zette**. ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mace-work-on-a-snake/137108/39 "2002-11-18T16:18:12Z")
FTR, you don’t have to be drunk to like playing with snakes. Ask any herpetologist. ---
**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2002, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mace-work-on-a-snake/137108/40 "2002-11-18T16:52:03Z")
Australians use a piece of number 8 wire with a handle as a snake killer - much easier than a stick, just whip it on to the ground and snake. The reason - it does not require accuracy when trying to hit a moving snake. Simon [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mace-work-on-a-snake/137108.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mace-work-on-a-snake/137108.md?page=3)