By Charly SHELTON

Last week, a pair of dogs was unfortunate to chance upon a rattlesnake at a dog park in Laurel Canyon. Both were bitten; one dog immediately died and, as of press time, the other dog is in stable condition after being administered two doses of anti-venom and given a blood transfusion. This is a reminder that humans and their animal friends share the land with wildlife and when we intrude on their natural spaces they are wont to react.

Unlike bears and coyotes, which are found in the foothill areas all year, rattlesnakes hide away, and hikers are less prevalent, in the winter months. Human/snake encounters occur mostly during spring and summer.

Rattlesnake season began in April and continues through October. With the warm days, outdoor activities beckon people outside and the likelihood of encountering a snake will increase, especially for those seeking more remote and nature-based activities.

“Rattlesnakes are widespread in California. You can find them just about anywhere they have food, shelter, cover and space,” said Lesa Johnston, California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, education and outreach officer. “Be cautious of rattlesnakes, but do not let it deter you from enjoying the outdoors. Rattlesnake bites are serious, but not as common as one would assume.”

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 5.4 million people worldwide are bitten by snakes each year with up to 2.7 million envenomings from bites. Of those, roughly 110,000 people worldwide die annually from snake bites. Most of these numbers come from Africa, Asia and Latin America. In the U.S., the figures are much lower. The Center for Disease Control estimates that 7,000–8,000 people per year receive venomous bites in the United States, and about five of those people die. This drastically reduced number of fatalities is due to the prevalence of medical treatment available soon after a bite and the availability of anti-venom in the U.S. While uncommon, a snake bite can be very serious with time being a key factor in survivability.

“It is important to know that, if bitten, one must get medical attention immediately,” Johnston said. “If it can be safely done, take a picture of the snake so that you can show a medical professional. Not all medical facilities carry anti-venom.  You would not want to waste time going to a facility that had no anti-venom.”

Those out with a large pet should be sure to have another person along to help in case something happens.

“Carrying a 90 lb. dog that got bitten by a rattlesnake would be really tough for a person to do alone,” Johnston said.

An understanding of rattlesnakes will also help hikers be more aware of what to look for.

Rattlesnakes come in 10 different flavors – seven species and three additional subspecies. The Diamondback, the Sidewinder, the Mojave, the Pacific are all different species of rattlesnake. What ties them together is their distinctive tail, a collection of “buttons” or small, hollow chambers of keratin that is left over every time the snake sheds its skin. The tail and the rattle on it can be vibrated at 50 times a second to produce the distinctive sound that can be utterly terrifying when heard on a lonesome trail. But the snake’s first intention is to scare, not to act aggressively.

“[Rattlesnakes] have evolved in such a way as to ward off threats by making noise first. Often they will rattle to ward off a predator or threat. If that does not work, they will hiss and then coil, finally striking if they have no other choice,” Johnston said. “They have a unique warning system in place. Rattlesnakes need the venom they produce to subdue the prey they hunt so they can eat. They do not want to use their venom carelessly.”

The old adage “they’re more scared of you than you are of it” rings true here in that the tail is used only to try and avoid confrontation. And, realistically, the likelihood of a snake-human interaction ending in the human’s death is exponentially less likely than its ending in the snake’s death.

“The first reaction for many people is to kill the snake – regardless if it is venomous or not. Many snakes are run over by cars as they often gravitate toward pavement or asphalt to raise their body temperature after a cold or very cool night.  They are a bit groggy and slow moving during this time, which makes them more vulnerable. There are some dogs that will attack and kill a snake at first sight,” Johnston added.

In addition, if a snake does invade humans’ space, there are snake removal services that the CDFW refers residents to call, unless they want to kill the snake themselves.

“The law allows residents to kill or remove offending rattlesnakes – but only up to two, or they can hire a service,” Johnston said. “The red diamond rattlesnake may not be killed or taken as it has a zero-take limit.”

It is, of course, better to avoid rattlesnakes if possible. Using rattlesnake fencing around homes will keep snakes out. Keeping pet food inside or picking up fallen fruit from trees will reduce the attraction of rodents, which in turn attract snakes. Keeping grass mowed and brush or rock piles minimized will remove hiding places for snakes. When outdoors, it is recommended that hikers wear good boots, not sandals. Never put hands or feet in a place that cannot be seen. Step on logs and rocks, not over them. Never grab “sticks” or “branches” while swimming – rattlesnakes can swim.

For more info, visit Wildlife.CA.gov/Keep-Me-Wild/Rattlesnakes.

  Charly Shelton