There are 32 species of Rattle Snakes in the U.S, the Western Diamondback is the subject of this article what to do if I get bit?

High on a mountain, a young boy came across a rattlesnake in a struggle for its life in the early snowfall. The snake said to the little boy, "Please save my life, pick me up and hold me under your coat to keep me warm. Then find a safe warm place and set me loose."
The child replied, "You are a rattlesnake, you will bite me, I may die."
"Young child, I promise I will not bite you and place your life in jeopardy. What a fool I would be to break a promise I made with my life's savior."
The boy relented and wrapped the viper around his waist under his coat. After walking many miles the temperature was lower at the bottom of the mountain making it safe for the snake. He unwrapped the rattlesnake from his waist and laid it on the ground, the snake immediately bit him on the hand.
"You made a promise if I saved your life you would not bite me."
The forked tongue ground crawler replied, "You knew what I was when you picked me up."

The Western Diamondback blends in well.

This story was told to me when I was young by my Grandfather.

It is spring, tomorrow is the 1st of June, the birds' nest are full of eggs nearing the big day of hatching, allowing the chicks to see the sun for the first time. Reptiles of all species are also out and about, seeking warm spots to warm their bodies and blood after the cool morning air warms. One reptile, in particular, is the center of attention for this article, the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. Emerging from the small caves, woodpiles, and stone piles they are cold, hungry, and irritable. I will write about who should be concerned when the concern is most important, and finally what measures we can take to eliminate the threat.

There are 32 species of Rattlesnakes in the United States, 9 of those are most prominent in North America they are:

*1 The Timber Rattlesnake is a native of the Eastern United States, living in the mountains among the deciduous forest, rocky hillsides, and alpine meadows.

*2 The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake occupy the coastal plains of the Southeastern United States. Their habitat includes rotting tree stumps and Tortoise burrows.

*3 The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is indigenous to the Western United States living in a wide variety of environments. Living high in the mountains, flat grasslands as well as the Southwestern Deserts.

*4 The Mojave Rattlesnake is a resident of the Mojave Desert as the name implies, to as far East as Texas.

*5 The Pygmy Rattlesnake inhabits its hereditary homeland of the Southeastern U.S. extending as far West as Texas.

*6 The Sidewinder Rattlesnake thrives in the hot dry, sandy, and barren expanses of the Southwestern Deserts.

*7 The Banded Rock Rattlesnake lives in the mountain ranges that border Mexico in the States of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

*8 The Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnakes the entire U.S. population exist in the mountains bordering New Mexico and Arizona.

*9 The Twin Spotted Rattlesnake is isolated in the Southeastern mountains of Arizona.

This article will focus on one species, the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake.

The longest of all Rattlesnakes in the U.S. 8-1/2 feet is the longest recorded, although the average length is 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 feet long. Sporting a distinct diamond pattern it is much lighter than the diamond pattern on the Eastern Diamondback. Depending upon the environment their coloring ranges from light tan to red. One distinctive feature is the 4-6 white and black stripes on the body side of the rattle. (easily seen in the photograph above). It is a heavy bodied snake with a triangular shaped head which has a diagonal dark line on each side. This is a pit viper, which means it has a pit on each side of its head behind each nostril detecting difference in temperature. They are capable of detecting small differences in heat enabling them to determine if the nearby stranger is prey or predator. They typically live 15-20 years in captivity.

(Follow this Link to a fact sheet on the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake).

Being adaptable the Diamondback lives in deserts, grass plains, rock piles, in mountains and foothills at the 6500-foot altitude. I lived in Fresno, California which is in Rattlesnake country at basically Sea Level. The foothills of the Sierra Nevadas' are close by, it is dotted with numerous small mountain communities. One of those communities is situated at the 8,000-foot elevation, the snakes are common in that area. So common the small town earned the nickname "Yosemite Snakes Park", it is on the way to that National Park. They range throughout the Southwestern U.S. California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and the Northern 1/2 of Mexico.

The Diamondback is not threatened or endangered, but it does have numerous natural enemies. Many of the snakes' preditors are not interested in making a meal of them. Deer, Antelope, Cows, and Horses see them as a threat, trampling them with their hooves is the remedy as far as the large animals are concerned. Roadrunners, Hawks, Eagles, Bobcats, Fox, Kingsnakes, and Coyotes are all serious predators of the large viper. 125,000 of them are captured each year in contests and killed at displays during "Rattlesnake Roundups". The population has suffered serious population declines in a few of the States where the roundups occur. Roundups are billed as "educational" experiences, but the opposite has been found to be true. Originally started as such however studies have shown attitudes towards conservation of the reptile lean toward the negative. Us humans are also predators of this iconic Western inhabitant.

Large birds are serious predators of the Diamondback
Rattlesnake.

Male Western Diamondbacks wrestle with each other to win the affection of the females. The victorious male will mate with the willing female, upon completion of the gestation period of 170 days a brood of 15-25 will be birthed. The young rattlesnakes are exact duplicates of their parents, the mother abandons them after 2 hours, fully confident they are well adept at taking care of themselves. And they are, being born with venom and more than willing to put it to work. The young rattlers have a full slate consisting of preparing themselves to survive their first winter 6 months in the future.

20-100 rattles per second are well within the vibration cycle of the rattles, there is no mistaking it. The rattle is added to over the years when the reptile sheds it's skin, as it crawls out of its skin a portion will "ball up" at the tip of the tail adding another "rattle".  Counting the rattles on the tail is one way of determining the animals age.

Diamondbacks can live 2 years between meals, hunting after dark they have a relatively limited menu. Rabbits, Mice, Rats, and Lizards all their favorite prey, they do not discriminate against any of them. Being equal opportunity predators most of their time is spent on the prowl seeking a meal. They bite into the animal and eject venom then when the victim is dead the snake swallows the animal whole. On occasion, the snake will lose a tooth in the prey, due to a unique genetic adaptation it will grow back. Humans are viewed as a threat, not a meal when we stumble across one and do not detect the rattling, we may be bitten.

While backpacking through a wide grassy plain I pointed one out to my son, he was about 10 years old at the time. That snake looked exactly like a "cow pie", it was incredibly hard to tell the difference. It was laying in the middle of the footpath coiled up, never having a rattle alarm us, perhaps I saw him before he saw us. The second person normally is the victim of a bite, the first person arouses it and the second steps on it. There was high grass on each side of the trail, it is prudent not to walk around a snake on a path if the only way is through its natural habitat. In that snake infested environment there very may have been more lurking in the undergrowth, fortunately, the snake was more afraid of us than we of him and he slid off into his habitat. It's been my experience that is what they normally do, these animals are not aggressive. I have heard stories of people in a boat having to fight off a snake attempting to get aboard. I believe that's more of a case of "self-preservation" than aggressiveness.

For one of these guy's, happily ever after is just a fairy tale.

There are recommended first aid procedures in the case one does receive a bite from the poisonous viper. 15-30 minutes following a bite the violated area will first experience extreme burning pain, followed by swelling and bruising at the wound, extending far up the arm or leg. I know several people (all men) who have lost a finger after attempting to pick a rattlesnake up, (It escapes me as to their reasoning how it could in any way be a good idea). Stomach sickness, weakness, dizziness, and an odd taste in the mouth is the next slate of symptoms. The first thing to do is to seek medical help, call 911, then take these steps while waiting for the ambulance:

Do this:

1) Get away from the snake, as far away as possible.

2) Remove jewelry, watches, and all tight clothing before the swelling begins.

3) Keep the bite below the level of the heart, if that is possible.

4) Stay calm, do not panic, it will hurt but it most likely is not terminal. (That's not very comforting is it?)

5) Clean the bite with clear water, do not flush it or attempt to "suck" the venom out. Cover it with a clean dressing.

Do not do this:

1) Do not use a tourniquet, or treat the bite with ice.

2) Do not cut the bite to remove the venom, the incision may cause an infection, the venom cannot be removed by suction anyway.

3) Don't drink Coffee and Alchohol they will speed up the absorption of the venom, abstain until a Doctor gives you the OK.

4) Do not for the sake of all that is holy attempt to capture the snake, but do take note of the snakes color, size, and general appearance, it will help with the treatment.

(Follow this Link for more prevention for response directives pertaining to a snake bite).

Western Diamondback Rattle Snakes are molting and they are out this time of year. Often during molting (shedding of the skin), the rattle does not work, intensifying the need for our awareness radar to be on full blast. They will be on top of rocks, boulders, stone cliffs, stumps, and anywhere else they are able to absorb the warmth that is important to their survival. It is prudent to know where we are and if it is in a rattlesnake infested habitat that knowledge should be recognized.

Proper apparel, high leather boots, long pants, a broad-brimmed hat (for the sun), leather gloves, and a walking stick are all recommended when in a known rattlesnake environment. (I still live in Rattlesnake country, I have never seen one on our Island, but that doesn't mean there are none, it means I haven't seen one). Walk through the high weeds and brush thrashing as you walk it will alarm the snakes with the vibrations and they will often, but not always flee. Keep an eye out for them, try not to say or think, oh that's just an old cow pie. It may not be.

Thank you for reading and sharing, please leave a comment. Thanks

jacquesandkate  emergencykitsplus.com