Most people don't encounter many snakes in their lifetime, and most don't want to. Everyone, however, should know how to act if they do come face to face with one. In particular, rattlesnake avoidance San Diego County way is a skill to acquire.
Rattlesnakes are encountered mainly in the wastelands around inhabited areas, but they may venture close to civilization to find food (mice, rats, gophers, frogs, and insects). They also may sun themselves on patios or steps right outside your door. They are shy, unless they are shedding their skin, and will stay out of your way if they have enough warning. However, you can't always count on them running away, so you should know what to do if you encounter one.
Rattlesnakes are venomous, even when small. They have the tell-tale flat, triangular head and thick body that denotes a poisonous serpent. Most of the rattlers around Poway, Ca are mottled tan and brown, with a distinctive layered rattle at the end of the tail. Young snakes may not have developed a rattle yet, however, and older ones may have lost theirs.
This is why rattlers will not always buzz a warning if you get too close. If a snake is shedding its skin, it may strike rather than moving away. When stepping over logs or climbing among rocks, extreme caution is needed. Snakes like to hide from predators, so they are seldom out in plain sight. They are more prevalent in hot weather, but even in winter they may come out if the sun is bright.
Preferred hiding places for rattlers are long grass and weeds that hide them from predators, and niches in the rocks. Hiking is safest on well-marked trails, although snakes may lie across the trail to catch the sun or hide near signs and barriers. Snakes may also be in the open when moving from place to place.
Taking a stout walking stick along on hilly trails is a good way to avoid putting a hand out to catch your balance. You can also use the stick to thrash the bushes or weeds you're about to enter; all snakes in the area will slither away if they have sufficient warning. High-top boots made of thick leather are the safest sort of footwear. Sandals should never be worn, and tennis shoes leave the ankles open to attack.
Most bites occur on the hands, feet, and ankles, so wearing protective gear and keeping to trails is good policy. It's also important to check a campsite carefully to make sure it's not already occupied and to keep tent flaps closed to keep intruders out. Always shake out your bedding before climbing in, experts say, so you won't find a surprise inside your sleeping bag.
Fewer than one person a year dies from a rattlesnake bite in California, but on average about 300 people are bitten. Snakebites are rarer than attacks by dogs or bees, but they are still cause for concern. Learning how to avoid a snakebite is better than hoping to survive one. Hikers should travel in groups, stay alert, carry cell phones, and make sure people back home know the area they will be hiking in.
Rattlesnakes are encountered mainly in the wastelands around inhabited areas, but they may venture close to civilization to find food (mice, rats, gophers, frogs, and insects). They also may sun themselves on patios or steps right outside your door. They are shy, unless they are shedding their skin, and will stay out of your way if they have enough warning. However, you can't always count on them running away, so you should know what to do if you encounter one.
Rattlesnakes are venomous, even when small. They have the tell-tale flat, triangular head and thick body that denotes a poisonous serpent. Most of the rattlers around Poway, Ca are mottled tan and brown, with a distinctive layered rattle at the end of the tail. Young snakes may not have developed a rattle yet, however, and older ones may have lost theirs.
This is why rattlers will not always buzz a warning if you get too close. If a snake is shedding its skin, it may strike rather than moving away. When stepping over logs or climbing among rocks, extreme caution is needed. Snakes like to hide from predators, so they are seldom out in plain sight. They are more prevalent in hot weather, but even in winter they may come out if the sun is bright.
Preferred hiding places for rattlers are long grass and weeds that hide them from predators, and niches in the rocks. Hiking is safest on well-marked trails, although snakes may lie across the trail to catch the sun or hide near signs and barriers. Snakes may also be in the open when moving from place to place.
Taking a stout walking stick along on hilly trails is a good way to avoid putting a hand out to catch your balance. You can also use the stick to thrash the bushes or weeds you're about to enter; all snakes in the area will slither away if they have sufficient warning. High-top boots made of thick leather are the safest sort of footwear. Sandals should never be worn, and tennis shoes leave the ankles open to attack.
Most bites occur on the hands, feet, and ankles, so wearing protective gear and keeping to trails is good policy. It's also important to check a campsite carefully to make sure it's not already occupied and to keep tent flaps closed to keep intruders out. Always shake out your bedding before climbing in, experts say, so you won't find a surprise inside your sleeping bag.
Fewer than one person a year dies from a rattlesnake bite in California, but on average about 300 people are bitten. Snakebites are rarer than attacks by dogs or bees, but they are still cause for concern. Learning how to avoid a snakebite is better than hoping to survive one. Hikers should travel in groups, stay alert, carry cell phones, and make sure people back home know the area they will be hiking in.
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