rfryer wrote:
If it’s hot they stay in the shade of brush and rocks. When it cools off at night they come out on the blacktop and pavement and open ground to absorb the heat. So pay attention where you’re walking and don’t put your hands or feet anywhere that you can’t see. If you have a dog, keep it on a short leash and don’t let it stick its nose in the brush or rocks. It’s nothing to worry about, just be aware of your surroundings and and odds are you’ll never even see one.
molossus wrote:
Where exactly? That will determine which species are there.
Some corrections to misinformation in this thread so far:
- Mojave rattlesnakes don't chase people.
- Gila monsters are nothing at all to worry about. If you're bitten by one, you deserve it because you're holding it.
The best advice is to just leave them alone if you see one. That's it. Depending on where you are, you can get people to come catch and relocate the snakes for a small fee. Keep your area clean and rodent free and you shouldn't have any issues at all.
These two comments, are the best advice and found here in the Boondocking Forum.
I couldn’t have said it any better and I worked on a team collecting, documenting and milking venomous snakes. This was for a University Study documenting these reptiles. University of Texas, El Paso still conducts annual research and the collection and release continues to be the same now as it was then. We never had an incident in the hundreds of snakes we captured, recorded and then released, 40 years ago.
Don’t put your hands or feet in places you are unable to see and keep your children and pets controlled, while visiting known reptile, venomous or not, country. If one is encountered and bitten, stay calm and travel to the nearest medical facility. Rattlesnakes are Hemotoxic and this impacts the blood system and the cells that repair the injured area. Thus the bite location will have scarring. Gila Monsters are Neurotoxic and typically will not be a threat to humans, if left alone. (Interesting Fact, Gila Monsters have no Anus. So they are naturally cranky. Wouldn’t you be too?)
Snake Bite Kits? Throw them away. You will do yourself more harm and injury using them than the bite will do.
b
Yep, thats me Collecting a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) in mid 70’s
