Rattlesnakes are venomous snakes, found in various parts of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In Central and South America, they are almost where there is wilderness. Contrary to popular belief, rattlesnakes do not follow humans on purpose - their natural diet consists of mice and rats, moles, small birds, frogs, and even large insects. All in all, a snake's instinct is to protect itself - if you think about it, snakes are very vulnerable creatures without huge legs, ears or size. So venom becomes its main defense mechanism, injected through its sharp fangs if prey or threat approaches. As such, your job is to behave responsibly with vigilance. Be careful, be sure, and stay safe.
Step
Step 1. Identify the type of snake
Is this a venomous snake or a different snake? Just to be safe, if you don't know, don't hang around to find out and if you can't see without getting closer, don't try to get close. But if you are aware of what a snake looks like, it might help you in a number of ways, the main one being to know what to do if the snake bites you or someone in your group. From a safe distance, pay attention to:
- The flat head is triangular (though this may not be enough to mark it) - which is wider at the base of the head than at the front.
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- The gap between the nostril and the eye - this is a heat hole sensing
- Hooded eyes and elliptical pupils - these may not be easy to see and you will have to be close enough to see them.
- Color - generally brown and brown patchwork; however, the Mohave snake is green, and has a band of light at the end of its tail. If you can see this band with the naked eye, you are probably too close.
- A rattle at the end of its tail (made of modified scales). Young rattlesnakes often only have a few parts of the rattlesnake formed - be careful with this as newborn bites are still venomous. Rattles can also be broken, deformed or silent. Don't rely on a venomous snake as the only form of identification. Hear the sound of a viper from the San Diego zoo: Rattlesnake Sound.
Step 2. Be aware of when and where you are most likely to find venomous snakes
You are most likely to encounter rattlesnakes when you are climbing mountains, hiking, camping, or even walking to see tourist monuments.
- Most rattlesnakes prefer hot environments, with some desert climates but others, such as the Eastern Diamondback, prefer a humid climate. The majority live in the southern United States and Mexico, although some are found in the Canadian Badlands in the desert regions of Alberta and British Columbia around Hedley, Keremeos, and Osoyoos.
- Rattlesnakes love summer nights the best, as the sun is about to go down and when it's gone - they are nocturnal most active in summer. This only happens to coincide with the weakness of human vision at sunset, so be careful. Use a flashlight when walking around and wear good shoes.
- Rattlesnakes love warm days, periodically. Whether it's the annual season, even winter, venomous snakes can venture out for warmth - the ideal air temperature for rattlesnakes is between 70° and 90°F (21° to 32°C).
- Most rattlesnakes are generally not out in the open - if they are out in the open, they move around a lot all the time. Rattlesnakes like to avoid contact with predators who can easily spot them in the open, including humans and large animals. As such, you're more likely to encounter rattlesnakes around rocks, bushes and brush, or wherever there's a corner for them to hide. However, on sunny days, you may find rattlesnakes warming themselves on warm rocks or asphalt.
Step 3. Dress appropriately
When in a snake area, don't forget about clothing - most bites occur on the hands, feet and ankles. So, apart from not putting your hands in odd places, clothing is an important part of protection:
- Get rid of the sandals - it's time for good quality, thick hiking boots, and decent socks. Try on the best ankle boots, because ankle bites are common. Do not wear sandals, open-toed shoes or bare feet when walking in the desert. There is more to it than a rattlesnake waiting for your recklessness if you do.
- Wear long loose pants.
- Wear gaiters whenever possible, especially if you prefer not to wear trousers.
Step 4. Behave appropriately when climbing mountains, climbing, walking
When in snake territory, think like a rattlesnake, imagine how they might react so you can anticipate:
- Always hike with at least one friend. If you are alone and bitten, you will be in terrible trouble. Bring a working cell phone and warn your family or friends of your hiking route and the length of time you hiked.
- Avoid their area. The easiest way to avoid rattlesnakes is to get out of their way. Stay alert as you hike, walk and climb. Stay on good roads and don't roam in tall grass, bushes and weeds where rattlesnakes may be hiding.
- Don't put your hand in the wrong place. Don't put your hands under holes, under rocks and ledges or even on brushes when you walk around. This is the main hiding place for rattlesnakes. When hiking, it's best to carry a sturdy stick, or at least a long, sturdy light stick, to help prevent using your hands in areas where snakes can hide.
- Do not sit on tree trunks or logs without first examining them. You may be sitting on a rattlesnake….
- Step on and don't step over. When you have to cross wood and stone, it makes sense to step on objects rather than directly stepping over them. This way, you can spot a rattlesnake that might be taking cover below and can take quick evasive action.
- Look before you jump. Be careful where you stand. A foot placed directly next to, or above the snake, is a foot that is ready to be bitten. Snakes rely on vibrations to hear and while they can sense you coming if you step hard enough, they can't get rid of themselves fast enough if you walk fast and give little warning of your movement.
- When walking, carry a stick, and hit the bushes and shrubs a bit before you walk over/near them, and the snakes will go away. They will go under thick bushes or grass, so don't put your feet in/in those places! If you must step on a hiding spot, probe them a bit with your stick, so the snake has a chance to get away.
- Get out of the way. If you walk in the range of a rattlesnake, retreat quietly as quickly and quietly as you can.
- Be careful around water. Rattlesnakes can swim. Anything that resembles a long stick is probably a venomous snake.
- Do not provoke poisonous snakes. The snake's fury will produce one response - you become a target. Remember - snakes defend themselves from attacks in such cases and if you gouge with a stick, throw stones, kick or do some silly little dance around them, you are looking for trouble. And even worse, there may be a difference in venom between an angry snake and one that reacts quickly to defend itself – the venom level can be increased, whereas a startled snake can only bite without injecting venom (probably, not sure). Regardless of the strength of the venom, an angry snake will be more likely to attack you anyway.
- Leave the snake alone. Many people are bitten in the process of trying to valiantly save the world from the nuisance of one snake. Apart from snakes that are not bothering you, they will bite you to try and defend themselves. Live and let live - step back and give the snake some space to slide away. And be warned - there is reason to say "as mad as an angry snake" - a wounded snake is a very dangerous foe.
Step 5. Be careful when camping
There are risks during camping that you must overcome.
- Check the campsite before setting up. Arrive at noon and set at noon. On warm nights, rattlesnakes can still roam and if you can't see what you're doing, you're at risk.
- Cover the tent at night if camping in snake territory or you may wake up to a very unwelcome surprise. Always check before going to bed that unwanted guests are not yet inside, attracted by the warmth or possibly hiding in the tent.
- Make sure everyone uses a covered tent that always closes when entering and leaving.
- Shake the sleeping bag before jumping around. Many people who sleep unnoticed have been awakened in unpleasant ways.
- Be careful with piles of firewood. Piles of wood are ideal hiding places for rattlesnakes.
- Always use a flashlight during night trips.
Step 6. Be responsible to your child
Children are naturally curious and courageous at the same time. While very useful in a safe environment, these properties can cause harm in a hazardous environment. Make sure that children understand the dangers of rattlesnakes, know what not to do and know how to behave to avoid snakes plus how to behave if they encounter a venomous snake. In a group of climbers involving children, adults should always lead and preferably others should be behind.
Step 7. Heed the warning signs
This means snakes and any human being responsible for alerting you to the presence of rattlesnakes:
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Recognize the signs that a venomous snake is around. This is common, sometimes there may be attacks without these signs as venomous snakes can bite from any position if needed:
- Rattlesnake in a circular position - the circle allows the snake to make the most effective attack
- The front end of his body (head) is raised
- The rattlesnake trembles and makes a rattling sound
- Just to make life a little more difficult, it's important to realize that rattlesnakes can't or don't always use their rattle to warn of an impending attack. For example, if you step on him before he has time to creak, the snake will bite first and then creak. And sometimes they don't just creak, for reasons like becoming more defensive during their molting, mating and giving birth. Or, they may choose to rely on their coloration as camouflage, only to realize that this will not protect them from impending human footfall. Also, in water snakes do not squeak. There must be at least two rattle segments to be able to make a sound, therefore young rattlesnakes cannot make a rattling sound until they grow but they all remain venomous. Be aware of this possibility. Otherwise, if you hear that rattling, you were clearly warned, so back off.
- Watch for signs from park rangers and other park authorities. Like the sign in the photo, when you are warned by local park authorities that a rattlesnake is in the area, take the appropriate precautions set out above.
Step 8. Notice the striking distance from the rattlesnake
The attack distance of a snake can be one-third to one-half of its total length. However, don't underestimate the venom's length, and the snake may strike further than you expect. The viper's attack was faster than the human eye that followed it.
Step 9. Remain calm if you or someone else is going to be bitten
If you are bitten by a venomous snake, when serious, the most important thing is to stay calm – moving will only make the venom spread faster. The key elements are to calm down, the rest to move and get to the hospital as quickly as possible. This helps prevent the spread of toxins. Keep the bite lower than the victim's heart (don't lift the bite, which will increase circulation and spread the venom more quickly), wash the affected area and release any potential constrictions such as rings (when swelling occurs the constriction can lead to loss of blood flow and tissue necrosis). For more on procedures dealing with rattlesnake bites.
Step 10. Repeat these steps before dealing with rattlesnake territory
Share information with the people you travel with to remind them of the need to be careful, calm and consider what may be happening around you.
Tips
- Most bites occur between April and October, the months when rattlesnakes are most active.
- Do not let your dog walk through grass that is high on the knee or higher in wilderness areas. Snakes also bite dogs, and dogs die more often than people when they are bitten because they are smaller.
- It is often reported that more people die from wasp and bee stings in the United States than from rattlesnake bites.
- The Santa Catalina Island rattlesnake is a less rattling snake; This snake does not have the usual rattle segments.
- If trying to remove a rattlesnake from your backyard, call the professionals. Stay calm when dealing with snakes when you're in your backyard - the level of dizziness is essential for dealing with dangerous situations.
- Snakes scare a lot of people. However, it doesn't help to understand the ecology that snakes are useful too. Most importantly, snakes continue to reduce other rodent populations perhaps in epidemic proportions in many places, destroying crops, food storage, and spreading disease. Eliminating snakes from their native territory is often accompanied by an increase in the number of rodents. In addition, rattlesnakes are a source of food for predators.
- Sometimes, small snakes can crawl into boats like canoes without your knowledge. If this happens to you, stay calm and pull to the beach. Get out of the boat, and gently guide the snake out of your boat using an oar or long stick.
- It is a myth that young rattlesnakes are more poisonous than adults. The venom glands are much larger in adult snakes, even if young snakes excrete venom, the amount is hardly the same as the venom secreted by adult snakes.
Warning
- Do not pick up a snake that has just been killed. He can bite reflexively even though he is dead.
- Never put a tourniquet on a limb bitten by a snake. It can lead to necrosis and loss of limbs. Stay calm and seek medical help.
- Never pick up what looks like a dead snake. Maybe he's resting or just not moving in a way detectable to your eyes. Just leave it.
- The hardening stays warm after sunset. Rattlesnakes can find their way onto warm roads or sidewalks on cold nights to stay warm. Use with caution after sunset when walking on paved roads or sidewalks.
- Rattlesnakes are protected in many areas. Do not kill them unless the situation is dangerous to humans or pets. This makes no sense and you may end up in jail for hurting a protected animal.
- Do not cut, suck or drain snake bites - this is an ancient method that has proven unsuccessful.
- Don't buy a snake kit; they don't work.
