How to avoid snakes in Sri Lanka?

To avoid snakes in Sri Lanka, stay on well-worn paths, don’t wander through tall grass or heavy jungle underbrush, and use a flashlight outdoors once the sun goes down. Also, during nature hikes, closed-toe shoes really matter, as they significantly reduce the risk.

In Sri Lanka, there are many snakes, including venomous ones such as the Russell’s viper and the Indian cobra. Even so, encounters involving tourists are exceptionally rare. Snakes tend to be shy; they will usually retreat when they feel the vibrations from human footsteps. If you’re sleeping in eco-lodges or rural spots, shake out your shoes before wearing them, and keep ground-floor doors shut so they are less likely to move indoors searching for shelter. If you see a snake, pause right away, give it ample space, and let it move away on its own. Never try to tease it, never take tight photos up close, and never handle a snake, no matter what.