snakes in southern calif

Not in South California but we have a few snakes here. I bought a pair of 18in high snake boots for wading through the brush. They are ulined and in a camo pattern.

I don't know any person bitten, but I do know someone whose puppy was bitten by an eastern diamondback in Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana (in his back yard) and died. I've lived here 14 years and have never encountered one. I have encountered a water moccasin (while turning over an old boat we had.... I just put the boat back down and left) and a few copperheads.

There are no poisonous snakes, venomous snakes yes. My brother in law was bitten by a rattler he shot and thought was dead, it wasn't. I've seen many rattlers but I like snakes and would never harm one. Pay attention to where you put your hands and feet and you'll never have a problem.

The few that are bitten are mainly boys and men who need to prove macho - tormenting the snake. :) We are hikers and have not encountered a rattlesnake in 18 years. Just use common sense and don't let your dogs run loose.

Who wants to get TOTALLY creeped out?

SERIOUS WARNING:

I'm not even going to post the link, this is so scary...if yer brave enough to watch a video of a copperhead biting its own body AFTER its head was severed by an axe, just Google "snake bites itself".

But don't say I didn't warn ya!

I've never met anyone either but in an average year 150 or more are bitten in Arizona. A large percentage of these bite victims are from out of the area and simply not familiar with rattlesnakes and how to best avoid them. Yes, a lot of those folks are RV'ers/snowbirds which makes this thread all the more valuable in terms of getting the word out. Both snake bites and deaths are on the rise. Google "snakebites in Arizona" for a number of good articles on this topic. :C

Jayco-noslide wrote:
How many of you actually know someone who has been bitten by a poisonous snake?

10 winters in south Texas & never met anyone

How many of you actually know someone who has been bitten by a poisonous snake?

Lots of people on here not seeing many snake's . I see rattle snakes of one kind or another almost every time I go out in the summer! Southern California has Mohave greens along with Sidewinder's and diamond back's the warmer it is the more active they are.

When we first started going to Mexico, we too were concerned about rattlesnakes, there are shots that you can get that "vaccinate" or reduce the effects of a rattlesnake bite, there are even people that "snake train" your dog. In the 6 years we have been going to California/Mexico we have had only one encounter with a snake.