Spring has sprung! Every creature is active right now, some coming out of hibernation not bears, Rattle Snakes!

    The weather is great in the spring, the last days of winter are longer, there is still a bite in the air we can feel and smell the northern thaw. We know summer is on the way, all of the birds are roosting, the small furry animals have baby's everywhere and the wild turkeys are finally not to be seen for a while. If you live like we do in a western state (California), and in the boonies, spring is also snake season. Most of the native snakes in my area are non poisonous, a lot of gopher snakes, black water snakes and garter snakes. I have seen some rare snakes, one was a California Whip Snake a beautiful creature about six feet long and the diameter of an index finger, harmless snake.

California Whip Snake, or Striped Racer, harmless.

Another rare snake I've seen is a California Boa Constrictor, they live at the tree line in the mountains. The California Boa is a small pink snake, about 6 inches long and the diameter of a thumb, they too are harmless.
    In my younger years my kids and I hiked a lot in the mountains. Sometimes day hikes, but mostly overnight backpacking, watching for Rattle Snakes was part of the experience. This time of year the Rattle Snakes  are starting to emerge from their hibernation dens, they get warm on rocks and roads. They can be found in tall brush, wood piles, rock piles, cow pastures and anywhere they can go from shade to sun fairly easily. The risk of being bitten by a rattlesnake is not as high as people may believe, they truly are more afraid of us then we are of them. Most snake bites occur between the month's of April and October, when we are most active outdoors. (Snake safety article here)
    After a cool night rattlesnakes look to warm themselves by basking in the sun. Rocks, Roads, Logs and hiking trails are common spots to see Rattlesnakes sunning. They are most active at dawn, dusk and night. There are 7-8,000 people bitten by rattle snakes each year in the USA. Some bites are fatal, 95% of bites are from Western varieties of Diamond Back Rattle Snakes. The remaining 5% are caused by Water Moccasins, Copperheads and Cottonmouths, between 1960 and 1990 no more than 12 fatalities from snake bites were reported.
    If you are around tall brush, wood piles or any place that looks like a good spot to hide wear the proper clothing. Sturdy leather boots and loose fitting long pants (cotton jeans) should be the uniform of the day. Never wear flip flops, sandals or bare feet. Rattle Snakes don't always rattle if they are surprised, they instinctively strike if you are too close.

Good protection choice. 

    Avoid tall grass, heavy underbrush and weeds while backpacking, keep your eyes on the trail about 10 feet in front of you. I have walked up on Rattle Snakes basking on a trail, some look so much like a cow pie it's hard to tell the difference. Don't just look for them, look to see them, expect to see one don't let it be a surprise. Do not try to pick up a Rattlesnake, a lot of men and boys are bit on the hand by trying to do so, (few women get bit on the hand, no questions here, it just makes sense for some reason). Step on rocks and logs not over them, look on the far side before stepping down. Check out where you park your car, look for snakes where you are planning to park, people have been bit stepping out of their vehicle.
    Yes Rattle Snakes can swim, don't reach for sticks or branches while swimming. Be careful when stepping over doorsteps, they like to crawl along the edge of buildings.
Don't hike alone, go on the buddy system, it's smart for a lot of reasons.
    Don't handle freshly killed snakes, their venom is still poisonious and they can still inject it. Leash your dog and teach your children to respect them and leave them alone, like I said a lot of men and boys are bit on the hand from trying to pick up a Rattle Snake.
     When outdoors stay alert and look to see, too many times we look without seeing, it's like looking at the windshield instead of through it. Gopher Snakes are often mistaken for Rattle Snakes, we are best served giving every snake plenty of room. Being outdoors is safest when we exercise common sense and awareness, be careful and know what you are looking for. If it looks like a snake, it may just be a cow pie.

Not a Snake. But they can look like one. 

     Be careful, have fun and I hope this blog will raise the awareness of beautiful weather being great for all creatures big and small, respect them and they and you will be just fine.
    Thanks for reading, leave a comment, give me some pointers on what precautions to take and what to be aware of in Rattle Snake Country.

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