Along with its many deer, bears, birds and other wildlife, Lake County has an abundance of rattlesnakes and the spring months are when they begin to appear. Rattlesnakes can be found beneath old lumber piles, in barns and sheds, and even in backyards.
According to the Depart-ment of Fish and Game (DFG), rattlesnakes are the only native poisonous snake in Northern California. The most common rattlesnake in Lake County is the Pacific rattlesnake.
Whereas few things can raise the hair on your neck such as the sound of a rattler buzzing, the chances of getting bitten by a rattler are about the same as winning the lottery.
If you spend anytime hiking in the woods, sooner or later you”re going to come face to face with one of these critters. This is especially true for fishermen and hikers. Of all the years I have spent hiking and hunting in the woods of Lake County, I have encountered dozens of rattlesnakes but never have I been threatened by one. A few have buzzed at me but most have just crawled away.
They are secretive animals and would rather hide than fight. Actually, just about every outdoor person at one time or another has passed within a few feet of a rattler and not known it. Most of the time they just silently slither away unseen when approached by humans.
The rattlesnake is preyed upon by many predators in the wild despite its venomous bite. A coyote or a bobcat will never pass up the chance to make a meal of a rattlesnake. Hawks and crows can easily kill a rattler.
While rattlesnakes do carry enough venom to kill an adult, deaths are rare. In fact, of the approximately 800 recorded rattlesnake bites in California every year, only one or two victims die. About 25 percent of the bites are “dry,” meaning no venom is injected. However, because of the bacteria in the snake”s mouth any bite requires medical attention.
The type of venom in a rattlesnake breaks down the tissue around the bite. When a rattlesnake bites its prey this action of breaking down the tissue hastens the digestive process and allows the snake to swallow its prey. If a human is bitten there is often a loss of tissue around the bite.
A rattlesnake”s fangs also contain bacteria and the venom suppresses the victim”s immune system, making it harder to fight this infection. While this rarely causes death it can result in the loss of a limb.
While the odds of getting bitten by a rattlesnake are low, there are certain precautions one must take when in rattlesnake country. More than 50 percent of all rattlesnake bites occur on the hands or arms. Normally a person will place his hand on a rock while climbing or picking up something. A nearby rattler will strike out in surprise.
Children are five times more likely to be bitten than adults. Most of the children are bitten because they often go barefoot or will actually pick up a rattlesnake out of curiosity.
Rattlesnakes are often found near old buildings or lumber piles. They also like rock piles. Like all wildlife, they are drawn to an area because of food, usually mice. By avoiding these areas you can reduce your chances of coming in contact with a rattlesnake.
What do you do if bitten by a rattlesnake? According to the DFG, the first thing to do if bitten is to stay calm. Generally the most serious effect of a rattlesnake bite to an adult is local tissue damage that needs to be treated. Children, because they are smaller, are in more danger if they are bitten. Get to a doctor as soon as possible, but stay calm. Frenetic, high-speed driving places the victim at greater risk of an accident and increased heart rate. If the doctor is more than 30 minutes away, keep the bite below the heart and try to get to the doctor as quickly as possible.
Wash the bite area gently with soap and water. Remove watches, rings and other jewelry that may constrict swelling. Immobilize the affected area. Transport safely to the nearest medical facility. All of the local hospitals are equipped to handle rattlesnake bites.
According to DFG regulations, the daily limit for taking rattlesnakes is two. No license is required and they can be taken by any method.
Most biologists say not to indiscriminately kill a rattlesnake. They eat gophers, moles and other pests and are a big part of our ecosystem. If they don”t bother you, don”t bother them. After all, they were here millions of years before us and will probably be here long after we”re gone.
