Be Careful California - Rattlesnakes are out
I finally had my first rattlesnake meeting. Since moving here last July, I've been on numerous trails with warnings posted about mountain lions and rattlers, but until this past weekend, I'd seen neither. Hiking around the Mount Wilson area in the Angeles National Forest, a friend and I ventured off-trail to do some exploring, and lying in our path was a 4 foot Southern Pacific Rattlesnake, just basking in the sun.
As the weather here warms up, it's important to remember we're not the only ones that like to get outdoors. Just a day after my first sighting, a friends dog got a little too curious and was bitten. The day of my sighting, another friend sent a picture of a baby rattler on a different trail. I've lived here since last July and hadn't seen or heard of anyone running into a rattlesnake, and then all of the sudden in one weekend there were 3 different sightings. Safe to say for the next couple months we need to be extra attentive when outdoors.
Rattlesnakes live from sea level inland to the desert, and to elevations above 10,000 ft, so no matter where you live, take caution to keep an eye out to avoid startling a sunbathing snake. Rattlesnakes get a bad reputation, but are actually pretty shy animals - they will almost always take an escape route rather than get involved with a human, so unless we startle them or get too close, the chances of a bite are extremely low.
Plan on spending a lot of time outdoors over the next few months (of course you do!)? Read these tips on what to do if you meet a rattlesnake, along with advice on what to do if you are unfortunate enough to suffer a bite.
Be careful, California, rattlesnakes are out!
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