Rattlesnakes can cause serious injury to humans on rare occasions . The California Poison Control Center notes that rattlesnakes account for more than 800 bites each year with one to two deaths. Most bites occur between the months of April and October when snakes and humans are most active outdoors.
How big are northern Pacific rattlesnakes?
Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes are medium-sized snakes that are usually around 36 inches long .
How big do northern Pacific rattlesnakes get?
The Northern Pacific Rattlesnake rarely grows more than 36 inches in length – one over 48 inches is a real granddaddy, yet I commonly have people tell me stories of the 6- to 7-foot rattlesnakes they have encountered in the Bay Area (fear and imagination go together).
How big are Southern Pacific rattlesnakes?
Southern Pacific rattlesnakes found on Santa Catalina Island are usually almost completely black, lacking patterns. Adults are usually 75 to 100 cm (30 to 44 in) long . Some individuals grow to be over 135 cm (54 in) in length. Rattlesnakes eat only when they are hungry.
How big do rattlesnakes get in Northern California?
Brown, orange, and yellow tints tend to be the most common color hue. Most northern Pacific rattlesnakes don't grow too far over 3ft, but some of these rattlesnakes can reach 4 feet (relatively uncommon), with maximum known size at 5 feet (extraordinarily uncommon).
What eats northern Pacific rattlesnakes?
Rattlesnakes, along with all other snakes, fill an important ecological niche and should not be killed. They eat numerous rodents and in turn are attacked and eaten by larger predators, including hawks, eagles, owls, bobcats, and coyotes .
What do you do if you get bit by a northern Pacific rattlesnake?
Remove rings, watches or bands that may restrict swelling . Keep the bite about level with your heart. Do not apply a tourniquet or cut the bite to get the venom out. Don't apply ice or drink alcohol.
Are there rattlesnakes in Ojai?
In Thorn Meadows , in the mountains north of Ojai, a Southern Pacific rattlesnake keeps a close eye on the photographer. Warm weather following a wet spring has caused snakes to come out of hiding across Ventura County.
What happens when you get a rattlesnake bite?
If you're bitten by a rattlesnake, you may notice one or two puncture marks made by their large fangs . You'll usually experience some pain, tingling, or burning in the area where you've been bitten. There may also be some swelling, bruising, or discoloration at the site.
Which rattlesnake is the most dangerous?
Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)
The eastern diamondback is the largest of all North American venomous snakes, and it is arguably the most deadly. It has the largest fangs of any rattlesnake species in the world, a very high venom yield, and an absolutely devastating potency.
Are Southern Pacific rattlesnakes aggressive?
In recent years, the southern Pacific rattler has become an increasingly dangerous snake in the southwestern region of California and in the northern part of Mexico's Baja Peninsula. According to Michael Tennesen, Scientific American, April 2009, the species appears to be expanding its range and inflicting more bites.
Is Southern Pacific rattlesnake poisonous?
Common names: Southern Pacific rattlesnake, black diamond rattlesnake, more. Crotalus helleri is a highly venomous pit viper subspecies found in southwestern California and south into Baja California, Mexico.
How do you keep rattlesnakes out of your yard?
Keep the grass in your front and back yards cut short . Clean up any debris in your yard including piles of wood, leaves, or any other materials that a snake could hide under. Control rodents in your yard and around your home: pick up fruit on the ground, keep trash cans closed with lids and don't leave pet food out.
Are rattlesnakes out at night?
Depending on weather and threatening conditions such wildfires; rattlesnakes may roam at any time of the day or night . If walking at night, be sure to use a flashlight. barefoot or wear sandals when walking through wild areas. When hiking, stick to well-used trails if all possible.
At what temperature are rattlesnakes most active?
They typically function most effectively at temperatures between about 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 32 degrees Celsius) . In Nevada, rattlesnakes are most active during spring and fall. Evening, night, or morning hours are favored activity periods; mid-day is generally shunned.
Are there rattlesnakes in the Sierras?
Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) – This is the “mountain snake” and it is the rattlesnake you encounter in the mountain woodlands and grasslands of the Sierra Nevada and Transverse Ranges all the way up to elevations as high as 11,000 feet.
