Here in Panama snakes bite about 2500 people per year (out of 3 million), mostly in the dry season. Here it is common practice to burn the rain forest around se

Here in Panama snakes bite about 2500 people per year (out of 3 million), mostly in the dry season. Here it is common practice to burn the rain forest around settlements to combat snakes. Only about 25 people die, but more have amputations because the most common snakes here are pit vipers with tissue destroying venom. Snakes here are typically not aggressive, the largest danger is stepping too close to one. I've had several near misses with snakes while out running trails in the rain forest (about one snake per month, though usually not venemous.) I've also had a big pit viper attack my car when I drove about a meter from it. You should have seen the face of the guy who washed it when I told him that the streaks were fer-de-lance venom!