This is why you wear gaiters

[flhiker]

I fear the Rattlesnake the most because their venom is so toxic. And does damage no matter how fast you get the anti venom. The cottonmouth are very arrogant and will stand their ground but the venom isn't quite a bad. either way I wouldn't want to get bit by either one. I know it's easy to forget to pay attention where you step specially when your excited to get to spot or when you spot that Ghost orchid and forget to survey the area before stepping or grabbing anything. I once reached down to pick up an interesting piece of driftwood and nearly was bitten by young moccasin, never saw him. boy did that wake me up the rest of the day.