As it heats up outside, cold-blooded rattlesnakes are doubtlessly getting out to warm up.
The East Bay Regional Park District said now that it’s spring, rattlers are emerging from hibernation and getting more active, which will lead to more encounters with humans and dogs, especially along trails and roads.
The park district is encouraging people to keep snakes in mind when visiting wild areas and take proper precautions. Snakes are important to the natural environment; they control rodents and other reptile populations. The district said in a statement that snakes should be observed from afar and left alone.
Collecting, killing, or removing any plants or animals from East Bay regional parks is illegal.
The district recommends that people hike with someone else in case of an emergency and scan the ground ahead as they walk, jog, or ride.
Stay on trails and avoid walking in tall grass. Look carefully around and under logs and rocks before sitting down.
People should listen for the buzz of a rattlesnake’s rattle warning that it’s there and should avoid placing hands or feet in places where they cannot see clearly. And keep dogs on a leash.
If someone sees a rattlesnake, the district recommends leaving it alone — don’t try capturing or harming it. Move carefully and slowly away or around it to give it plenty of space.
If a rattlesnake bites someone, they should stay calm and have someone call 911. Lie down with the affected limb lower than the heart. Getting medical attention quickly is critical — do not use tourniquets, sucking, or snakebite kits.
If someone is alone, they should walk calmly to the nearest source of help to dial 911. Don’t run; doing so increases their heart rate and spreads poisoned blood faster through the body.
If bitten by another type of snake, wash the wound with soap and water or an antiseptic and seek medical attention.
If someone is unsure what kind of snake bit them, check the bite for two puncture marks (in rare cases, one puncture mark) associated with intense, burning pain. This is typical of a rattlesnake bite. Other snakebites may leave multiple teeth marks without associated burning pain.
People don’t need to identify the specific type of rattlesnake to receive the correct antivenom. The northern Pacific rattlesnake is the species living in East Bay regional parks.
More information is available on the district’s wildlife encounters page.