How To Practice Rattlesnake Avoidance San Diego Style
Most of us try to ignore the fact that we share the planet with snakes. However, the fact is that there are many species of these reptiles all over the place. Knowing how to practice rattlesnake avoidance San Diego County style is important if you live there or plan to visit Poway, CA.
Hiking and camping in wilderness areas is fun, but it's important to know the hazards of the trail. This includes knowing what kind of wildlife you might encounter in the places you plan to go. Most wildlife will stay away and out of sight if possible, but you can't count on that. It's helpful to know how to tell a poisonous snake from a harmless one, for instance.
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.
Since snakes are hard to see in the desert country, keeping away from their preferred places is a good idea. Snakes like cover and may hide in long grass, weeds, and brush. They also like the nooks and crannies of rocky hillsides, where they can hide from predators. If you do see a rattler, it will probably be traveling from one place to another or sunning itself on warm rocks or earth.
If it's necessary to go into weeds or brush, it's a good idea to carry a stout stick. A stick can help you balance without using your hands. You can also strike weeds and brush to alert snakes, which will move away if given proper warning. Wearing high-top leather boots and long pants is best. Sandals and sneakers leave feet and ankles exposed.
Most bites occur on the hands, feet, or ankles. Campsites should be examined with care, preferably in daylight, to make sure snakes have not gathered there. Tent flaps should be kept closed to keep snakes out, and sleeping bags kept rolled up until time to sleep. Rattlers can be attracted to the warmth of a sleeping person or might hide in bedding.
About 300 people a year are bitten by rattlers in California. Almost all victims recover with treatment; bees and dogs are more dangerous than reptiles. However, a rattler bite is painful and potentially lethal, so it's best avoided. Hikers should go in pairs, carry a cell phone, and make sure people back home know their route and their expected return time.
Hiking and camping in wilderness areas is fun, but it's important to know the hazards of the trail. This includes knowing what kind of wildlife you might encounter in the places you plan to go. Most wildlife will stay away and out of sight if possible, but you can't count on that. It's helpful to know how to tell a poisonous snake from a harmless one, for instance.
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.
Since snakes are hard to see in the desert country, keeping away from their preferred places is a good idea. Snakes like cover and may hide in long grass, weeds, and brush. They also like the nooks and crannies of rocky hillsides, where they can hide from predators. If you do see a rattler, it will probably be traveling from one place to another or sunning itself on warm rocks or earth.
If it's necessary to go into weeds or brush, it's a good idea to carry a stout stick. A stick can help you balance without using your hands. You can also strike weeds and brush to alert snakes, which will move away if given proper warning. Wearing high-top leather boots and long pants is best. Sandals and sneakers leave feet and ankles exposed.
Most bites occur on the hands, feet, or ankles. Campsites should be examined with care, preferably in daylight, to make sure snakes have not gathered there. Tent flaps should be kept closed to keep snakes out, and sleeping bags kept rolled up until time to sleep. Rattlers can be attracted to the warmth of a sleeping person or might hide in bedding.
About 300 people a year are bitten by rattlers in California. Almost all victims recover with treatment; bees and dogs are more dangerous than reptiles. However, a rattler bite is painful and potentially lethal, so it's best avoided. Hikers should go in pairs, carry a cell phone, and make sure people back home know their route and their expected return time.
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