Snakes
Spiders & Insects
Poisonous Plants
Danger Zone
Survival Safety
100

This snake is tan/light brown with dark, hourglass-shaped crossbands.

Copperhead

100

This shiny black spider has a red or orange hourglass marking.

Black Widow

100

Rule for touching plants in the wilderness 

"Leaves of three, let it be"

100

This plant is commonly found as an ornamental shrub and has pink, white, or red flowers.

Oleander

100

The three things you need to survive in the wilderness

Food, water, shelter

200

This venomous snake is commonly found near ponds, rivers, and swamps. 

Cottonmouth (or water moccasin)

200

This brown spider has a violin-shaped marking on its back. 

Brown Recluse

200

This plant has three shiny, almond-shaped leaflets and can grow as a vine or shrub. 

Poison Ivy

200

The saying to remember about Coral or King Snakes

Red and yellow, kill a fellow. Red and black, friends with Jack

200

You should avoid these areas because snakes and other animals may hide there. 

Tall grass and wood piles

300

This snake has a rattle on the end of its tail. 

Timber Rattlesnake

300

These insects are small, reddish-brown, and can swarm aggressively. 

Fire Ants

300

This plant has lobed, oak-like leaves and is usually shrub-like. 

Poison Oak

300

This extremely poisonous plant can grow near creeks and ditches and has white umbrella-shaped flower clusters. 

Water Hemlock

300

You should do this to your boots and gloves before putting them on.

Shake them out/turn them over

400

This secretive snake has red, yellow, and black rings. 

Coral Snake

400

These insects can deliver painful stings and may be especially dangerous to people with allergies. 

Wasps, Hornets, and Bees

400

This plant has 7–13 paired leaflets and is commonly found in wet areas.

Poison Sumac

400

Eating this plant can cause hallucinations, severe illness, and potentially death.

Jimsonweed

400

You should do this when you encounter a snake in the wilderness.

Give it space/avoid it

500

This snake is often difficult to see because its coloring provides excellent camouflage in leaf litter. 

Copperhead

500

This spider's bite can cause tissue damage and requires medical attention. 

Brown Recluse

500

This plant has large trumpet-shaped flowers and spiky seed pods and is poisonous if eaten.

Jimsonweed

500

This poisonous plant is less common but can be found in wet areas such as swamps.

Poison Sumac

500

What kind of knot do you use to tie the shelter?

Double hitch