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Rattlesnakes would prefer to avoid
you.
Given the chance, it will usually abstain from
a confrontation.
Rattlesnake at Alabama Hills near Lone Pine, CA
WHEN ON THE TRAIL OR CAMPING
- Make noise.
- Don't reach up or over any place you cannot see.
- Don't step over logs, rocks, ect., without looking
first.
- Don't sit on a log, rock, ect., without checking the area
first.
- Look ahead and to both sides while on trails.
- Walk around the snake. Don't play with it.
- During hot weather, be more careful in the mornings and
evenings.
IF BITTEN BY A RATTLESNAKE:
- Stop moving immediately and lay down if possible.
- Keep the bitten area at or below heart level.
- Immobilize the affected limb.
- If victim can be taken to a hospital within five
hours,
then go to hospital or else:
- If mild swelling, discoloration around the bite, along
with moderate pain, nausea, shortness of breath begin to
occur, apply constricting band on the heart side of the
wound.
- Band should be 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches wide. Belt can be
used.
- Band should be snug. If finger can be slipped under band,
it is tight enough. Loosen band if swelling increases, but
do not remove band.
- Be sure you can detect a pulse on both sides of
band.
- Be calm, snake bites are seldom fatal in North America. If
alone, find shelter, warmth, and suffer it out. You will be
sick and in pain, but chances are good you will survive.
- If more than one person, send for help.
Most rattlesnakes we have encountered
were
hidden and did not see them until after hearing
the rattles making that distinct warning noise.
They were not particularly aggressive and just
wanted to be left alone. Should a person get too
close then it could be a different situation.
PHOTO
HERE
Crazy rattlesnake attacking the car
Chiricahua National Monument
Has anybody heard of a rattlesnake
attacking
a vehicle? There was a rattlesnake in the road
and we pulled beside it to take a photo, then
he started attacking the car. This very aggressive
rattlesnake slammed into the car door several
times. Didn't get the best photograph, being
afraid he might come through the open window.
Close-Up of Rattlesnake Scales
Close-Up of Rattlesnake Scales
Close-Up of a Rattlesnake Tail
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