Education Center

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 Rattlesnakes are not aggressive creatures and are not looking to attack people.  They are like any other animal; they just want to eat, sleep, and move along.  If anything, they are just as, or more afraid of you then you are of them. When a rattlesnake sees a human, it automatically recognizes you are not prey based on a human’s size. Since humans aren’t prey, it considers humans as a predator, putting it in defense mode. Just like any other prey (rabbits, squirrels, deer), it’s first instinct is to freeze, hoping the predator (people) won’t notice it. If the snake sees the opportunity, it will try to escape by slithering away. If these two defense mechanisms don’t work, it will sound it’s rattle to scare the predator away.

If this does not work, the snake will either coil up and/or strike. When a rattlesnake strikes, it may or may not deliver venom. If a snake does not deliver venom, it is referred to as a “dry bite.” A rattlesnake may deliver a dry bite made in self-defense to conserve venom. Since the snake recognizes humans are not prey and can’t be eaten, the snake may elect to withhold its venom for something it will actually eat. If the snake wastes venom on a non-prey bite, that snake now has to regenerate the venom in its glands for its next meal, which costs the snake time and energy.

 If you find yourself out and about enjoying the outdoors there are some basic safety tips that can prevent rattlesnake bites. Being aware of your surroundings will prevent almost all chances of a bite.

1. Wear long pants. Yes, it gets hot in San Diego, but long pants can prevent envenomation. If a rattlesnake strikes at your legs, long pants will increase your odds of avoiding a bite. Snakes do not understand the concept of pants and do not know the difference between your pant legs and actual legs. The snake may strike at the pants, bite the pants, but the fangs may not actually penetrate your legs since the snake latches onto the fabric of your pants.

2. Stick to well travel trails. Rattlesnakes catch their prey by ambushing them. Rattlesnakes will hide in tall grass, behind logs, rocks, in crevices, and under dense shrubs to conceal themselves. Areas cleared of any vegetation or hiding spot are not conductive to finding food, so they will generally only cross trials to find a better ambush spot. By sticking to well-traveled trails, you will decrease your chances of rattlesnake encounter.

3. Watch where you step. Rattlesnakes will only strike people in self-defense, so by placing your foot near one, it could trigger a strike. If you look before you step, and see a snake, you can avoid it, thus avoiding a bite.

4. Step onto, not over, logs and rocks. Rattlesnakes like to put themselves next to a rock or log to conceal themselves for any unsuspecting food wandering by. If you step over a log or rock, you could unknowingly put your foot within striking distance of a startled snake.

5. Look before sticking your hands or feet into logs and rock crevices. Most snake bites happen to hands and feet, sometimes by reaching into a concealed area. If you are going to reach into an unknown area to grab a rock, stick, or set up your camera for a cool photo, visually inspect the entire opening first.

6. Visually inspect all surfaces, interior and exterior of any rock or log you plan to sit on or move. If you are going to move an object, do not push it away with your hands, this could reveal a hiding spot where a rattlesnake has positioned itself. Either roll the object back towards you, using it a shield for any possible snakes, or push it away with a stick that is at least three feet long.

7. Don’t not grab sticks from water sources. Snakes can swim and water distorts the image of submerged items. The stick you see might actually be a swimming snake.

8. Lastly, if you happen across a rattlesnake while out and about, avoid it. Give it some distance and walk around it or wait for it to slither away. NEVER HANDLE A RATTLESNAKE! 

 If you are bitten by a rattlesnake, follow the below emergency procedures. There is only one medical remedy for rattlesnake envenomation: anti-venom. There are no holistic/homeopathic remedies, no field treatments work, and anything you may have heard from word of mouth or online DO NOT WORK. Getting to an emergency medical facility (hospital) is your only option to prevent serious injury and death.

1. Ream calm. Yes, being biting by a snake is terrifying and your heart will race, but the more agitated you are, the faster your blood will pump and move the venom through your body faster.

2. Call 9-1-1 immediately. Do not drive yourself to a hospital. You risk the venom causing impairment and a vehicle collision. If that happens, it will delay your receipt of the anti-venom. Nobody will know where you are, or that you have been bitten by a rattlesnake.

3. Wash the bite area to prevent secondary infection.

4. Immobilize the area where the bite occurred and keep the bite wound below the heart. This will help to slow the spread of the venom.

5. If possible, take a photo of the snake with your cell phone. This can help doctors identify the most effective antivenom to use.

6. Mark the bite with a sharpie or marker and timestamp it.  This will help hospital staff determine the rate of envenomation and antivenom dosing.

7. Either go to hospital via ambulance or have somebody drive you. Do not drive yourself. You could pass out while you’re driving. This will cause an accident and delay your antivenom treatment. It will take time for first responders to realize you’re suffering from a rattlesnake wound.

8. DO NOT cut the wound “to release the venom” – this does not work and will only cause an infection. DO NOT suck on the wound – this will not extract any substantial amount of venom and could get venom in the mouth. DO NOT apply a torniquet or apply heat or cold – this will only concentrate the venom where it is and cause excessive tissue damage to effected area.

9. Venom extraction kits may provide a slight benefit but are not a replacement for emergency hospital care. 

There are a few small steps you can take to “snake proof” your home. You can never really make your property 100% snake proof or 100% snake free, there are things you can do to discourage their presence.