Spring Summer Fall Winter and Spring Again Rattlesnake Suns on a Rock
By Stephen Nett
Summer is the perfect time to hit the trails to hike and explore. Retrieve, nosotros share Sonoma County's parks with wild fauna, and one of the local residents active this time of year, the rattlesnake, has a formidable bite.
Sonoma Canton'south rattler is the northern Pacific rattlesnake; information technology's most agile between April and Oct. While it's rare for a human to endure a rattlesnake bite, and extremely rare for a man to die from a bite, here are some rattlesnake facts to help y'all stay safe on the trail.
How do I know if it's a rattlesnake?
At a glance, it may exist hard to tell our 33 species of local snakes autonomously. Well-nigh are harmless. But a rattlesnake has a distinctive triangular shaped head, with a tapered cervix and thick trunk, large scales, and (unless they lose information technology, which they can) a rattle at the tail.
Not sure? Stay away.
What'south a rattlesnake doing on the trail?
Rattlesnakes can't regulate their temperatures, so they await for sunny spots to warm up after a cool night. A bare sunny trail or open infinite is a perfect sunning spot, so stay alert when walking in the cooler parts of the mean solar day.
When it'southward really hot, rattlesnakes need to find sheltered places out of the sun to proceed from overheating: shady places forth or under logs, rocks, heavy shrub or woodpiles, even the foundations of buildings.
While they can be out any fourth dimension, rattlesnakes are well-nigh agile in the morn and from dusk into the dark. They hunt mice and rodents in darkness considering they can sense body heat with special organs on their face.
What should I do if I see a rattlesnake on the trail?
Start, dorsum away. Rattlesnakes aren't aggressive to humans unless threatened or frightened. They consume mice and rodents and are shy of bigger animals. If they sense you, they will usually try to escape. Give them space to practice so.
Don't wave things at them considering that may arouse them. Don't try to push them off the trail with a stick – that's often how people practise go bitten.
Shouting won't scare them off either - they don't accept external ears – merely they tin "hear" really well by picking upward vibrations in their jaw and bones. They can sense the impact of anxiety on ground, which helps them escape before you become there. If they don't move off on their ain, you lot can endeavor stomping - at a safe altitude - to requite them the signal.
How far away do I need to be to keep from existence bitten?
As a rough rule of thumb, a rattlesnake can lunge most two thirds of its torso length. It's a good thought to stay equally far as possible from any rattlesnake, aim for at least 10 steps away, to ensure prophylactic no affair which direction the serpent moves.
What if it doesn't move?
If the snake won't move off the trail, information technology's safest to wait it out or turn back. Don't endeavor stepping over or around it, unless y'all can featherbed it at a safe distance – and lookout where y'all stride. Keep an eye on the snake in example it decides to escape your way. When motivated, they tin can glide fairly quickly.
How unsafe are they?
A rattlesnake bite can cause painful swelling, bruising and tissue damage. Rattlesnake venom tin be lethal after several hours if not treated, but bites are rarely fatal because antivenom drugs are so effective.
The skilful news is the odds of being bitten past a rattlesnake are depression. In a state of 39 million people, approximately 300 rattlesnake bites are reported annually to theCalifornia Poisonous substance Control Organisation.
Do rattlesnakes warn yous past rattling?
Therattlesnake's rattling sounds similar a jet of water hitting a spinning fan– and while they utilize information technology as a warning when threatened, they may not take the fourth dimension to rattle if they're suddenly startled. Snakes tin can lose rattles, too, so don't count on hearing them.
What should I do if one bites me?
Act chop-chop to get assist, but stay calm. Get medical attention as presently as possible. Antivenom sweeps up the venom.
Exertion spreads the venom faster, so proceed your heart charge per unit as slow every bit you tin can. Don't waste time trying to catch or impale the snake. Remove rings, watches or bands that may restrict swelling.
Keep the bite about level with your heart. Do non apply a tourniquet or cutting the bite to get the venom out. Don't employ ice or drink alcohol.
What should I do if I'thou far from help?
Apply your phone to call for help and follow the instructions you're given. Otherwise, walk out every bit calmly as you lot can to the nearest phone signal or assist. Information technology's better to move toward aid than await, if you're uncertain when help may come.
How do I keep from being bitten?
A California study found two-thirds of rattlesnake bites were on the hand or arm, and 80 percent of victims were young men. Most bites occur from handling or accidentally touching snakes.
- Don't pick up or get close to snakes.
- Brand certain you tinsee where you plan to pace or put your hands. Step on, non over, large rocks or logs.
- Stick to trails, avoid tall grass and heavy underbrush where snakes may shelter out of the heat.
- Wear long pants and sturdy shoes. Don't wear sandals in bushy, wild areas.
- Rattlesnakes can swim, so be careful about grabbing what look like sticks or branches in lakes and rivers.
What about my dog?
Keep dogs on ternion so they don't investigate snakes. If bitten, get them chop-chop to a vet for antivenom shots.
Regional Parks and rattlesnakes
Each year, rangers, other parks staff and, yes, some hikers report seeing rattlesnakes forth trails or in other park areas. If the snake is in a populated spot, rangers volition relocate it to a safer location.
Not surprisingly, the parks where rattlesnake sightings are more common are parks likeShiloh Ranch,Sonoma Valley,Hood MountainandSpring Lake- warm, dry parks that feature grasslands, woodlands, and rocky areas.
Again, the good news is rangers can't think e'er responding to a study of a snake bite.
Stephen Nett is a Bodega Bay-based naturalist, writer and speaker.
Source: https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/learn/blog/park-blogs/snakes-on-a-trail-tips-for-hiking-in-rattlesnake-country
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