Rattle Snakes

[docsouce]

My wife and I are going to be slow poke RVing for 8 to 10 weeks in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado. Be leaving mid June. I've spent the last couple of hours on internet searches, and I searched here about rattle snakes. I know there are lots and lots of people that live around them.. I live in New england. I have never seen one. My searches gave me good info, and I always try to be aware of my surroundings. But I found an interesting comment here. It mentioned that if camped out at Gouldings RV park in Monument Valley and take a walk to the Natural Bridge, keep an eye out for rattle snakes (what is different about this trail?). I'm sure they can be anywhere and Google gave me good examples. But I've found folks here usually have certain situations that raises their attention level. Mostly from personal experience. Some basic tips would be appreciated. We plan on doing a lot of boondocking. No panic here nor am I changing my plans. Just askin.

[Ski_Pro_3]

PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:


Frankly, I'm more afraid of NM and AZ drivers than I am of snakes.

Yea, but they frown on shooting drivers in those states.

[TechWriter]

JimK-NY wrote:
This whole thread just seems ridiculous and the facts match my opinion. More and more people are living in the southwest and in supposed rattlesnake country. The average number of deaths per year is about 5. That is way less than the number dying from a lightening strike. The risk is absolutely negligible when compared with the risk of death driving an RV or a car or even walking the dog. Forget rattlesnakes. Instead consider yourself lucky if you see one.

Your ignorance about rattlers is, for lack of a better term, spectacular. I guess I can understand that as you're from New York and appear to have zero actual knowledge of the Southwest.

Desert Captain wrote:
I have lived in southern Arizona for nearly 14 years, worked our local golf coourses as a marshal for 5 where encountering them, especially in the spring, was nearly a daily event {often saw half a dozen and had to move 2 or 3 a shift}. To all of you folks who have spent time in the southwest but never have seen a rattlesnake I suggest you pay a LOT more attention.

Their natural camoflage is off the charts effective. I have been in the process of carefully relocating one on the golf course and glanced away for a second. When I looked back it had virtually disappeared... but was still just a few feet away. No they do not always rattle and do not have to be coiled to strike/bite. Those myths can get you bit very easily.

If someone is struck get them directly to medical facilities ASAP. No cowboy nonsense {don't make cuts and try to suck out the venom, apply ice or a tournequet - just transport them ASAP}.

The early spring, following the first week or so of 80 degrees+ is the most dangerous time of year. They have been denned up all winter and are hungry and horney actively seeking a meal and a mate though not necessarily in that order. The point being if you see one I guarantee you there is another nearby and it's the one you don't see is going to be a problem.

As noted, please don't kill them unless they pose an immediate threat to your family or pets.

Thank you, Desert Captain. It's great to have someone who is actually knowledgable checking in on the subject.

I've only been an AZ resident for five years and only had one rattler encounter. It's one thing to meet a rattlesnake in the wild. However, it's quite another thing to encounter one on your porch, coiled and rattling at your dog.

I had my neighbor kill it as it may have set up residence under our park model (we found a couple of molted skins there).

BTW, if you don't think a decapitated rattler can bite you, ask my neighbor. Happened to him and a Phoenix firefighter last year.

[gbopp]

mobeewan wrote:
When I know there will be poisonous snakes around my first 2 loaded rounds in the pistol are snake shot. I keep the rest loaded for 2 legged snakes.

I can deal with rattlesnakes, copperheads and other venomous snakes. It's the two legged variety you can't trust. 😉

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

The last place I saw a rattlesnake was at a CoE day use area in Thomaston, CT. Also saw several copperheads in CT. Those I don't like.

But water moccasin's in the swampy south are the worst.

Rattlesnakes are the most predictable, easiest to spot and avoid of the US snakes in my opinion.

They love sun when it is cool, shade when it is hot. As mentioned many times, don't put your hands or feet anywhere you cannot see.

Snakes try to avoid large animals, like people. But they can't really hear. they feel vibrations in the ground. Walk heavy in snake country. Keep a wary out when hiking and walk away if you see one.

Frankly, I'm more afraid of NM and AZ drivers than I am of snakes.

----------------------

One other point - killing a snake in a national park without residual evidence that you or one of your party was threatened can be a felony. People are required to attempt to the highest degree possible to avoid animals, especially dangerous animals. Injuring or killing an animal is only permissible after all other possible, not 'reasonable', attempts to break off or avoid contact have failed.

[RGar974417]

.kill them before they kill you,your kids or your pets

[ol_Bombero-JC]

seagrace wrote:

KD4UPL wrote:
I carry a .38 revolver with shot loads when I got out in the woods. It has a 6" barrel which I think keeps the shot a little tighter together than a 4" barrel. The first rattler I killed was actually in our garage. He was coiled up under my workbench. He rattled at my wife as she tried to get in her car.
I really don't care if the snakes are endangered or not. I will not take a chance on one killing one of my children. If I see one, it gets shot, end of story.

What you do in your garage is your business. What you do in Arizona is a whole 'nother story. This is not the wild west where you go around popping off your pistol at whatever you think is "threatening" you. We have laws that govern when, where and what you can shoot at.

If I see somebody shooting snakes, especially near a highly populated area like an RV park, you can expect a visit from our Game and Fish.

You wanna protect your children, don't let them play around snakes.

'nuff said.

:@

Apparently *NOT* 'nuff said ..:R

Some posters just don't get (or comprehend) the above!..:S

~

[doxiemom11]

We have been in AZ and NM since last fall. Have not seen a rattlesnake or for that matter, any kind of snake yet. Only place we have seen one was in Alabama. Just be aware.

[Desert_Captain]

JimK-NY wrote:

Desert Captain wrote:
I have lived in southern Arizona ..... where encountering them, especially in the spring, was nearly a daily event {often saw half a dozen and had to move 2 or 3 a shift}. ..........

If someone is struck get them directly to medical facilities ASAP. No cowboy nonsense {don't make cuts and try to suck out the venom, apply ice or a tournequet - just transport them ASAP}.

.....

:C

How many people were bitten? Did anyone die?

In the first 9 months of 2017 more than 150 people were bitten just in Arizona. Nationwide the yearly totals run between 4 and 5,000 though only 5 deaths were reported last year.

If you are thinking these numbers are not all that bad... think again. Google snake bites and take a look at photos of what happen to living tissue following a poisonous snake bite. The venom quickly destroys tissue starting shortly after the envenomization {snake bite}.

Incredible swelling and pain are quickly followed by the dying tissue turning black and no, it never heals or grows back. The anti venom often runs more than $500 a dose and many need a couple of dozen doses {depending on the specific degree of the enveomization - mild, moderate or severe}. Some rattlesnakes are far more deadly than others but your run of the mill Wesern Diamondback {the most common by far} are very toxic.

A moments carelessness can lead to serious medical complications. Just be careful out there folks and do not underestimate the potential for disaster.

[2gypsies1]

OP: I sure hope you don't stay home and if you DO come out West, take a picture of every rattler you'll encounter and post it here please. 🙂

I hope you make it across Michigan because there are rattlers there, too! Copperheads in the south are more dangerous that rattlers. They WILL chase you. Oh, and don't swim in the rivers and lakes in the Midwest/South - there are cottonmouths in there.

[seagrace]

Sorry, apparently I'm not allowed to post relevant content.

[obgraham]

Keep in mind that a "small" or "baby" rattler can be just as dangerous as a big one. When we first built out of town in the sagelands, we regularly had little rattlers sitting on the doorstep.

In time, though, as more houses went up in that area, they moved on out. Rattlers really don't like to be where people are. It's when people go where rattlers are that conflicts arise.

[BruceMc]

In all our years of travel & living in the west, we've encountered exactly 2. One was in an old abandoned park in southern Washington along the Columbia river. We pulled in, turned the kids loose & told them to watch for rattlers. We made lunch on the tailgate, then called them in. Not five minutes went by, and a rattler heads our way from the area the kids were playing in. I grabbed a stick, and trying to get it to coil/strike - no deal - it just wanted to go. We let it go on its way, but it was a good introduction to rattlers for the kids.

The second one was a small rattler in an RV park in South Dakota:



They don't "coil", they form a bit of a spring. This one was about a foot long, and it's strikes were all of a couple-three inches. This one didn't initially rattle, but when it did, it was all but impossible to hear.

It was just at nightfall; we were walking back from the laundry/pool hall. My brother & sis-inlaw were ahead of us by a couple minutes. I was looking forward & up at the evening sky when my wife commented that she thought there was a snake in front of me. Whoa! I played with it with a stick while she headed on to the RV to get the relatives and my camera.
It was an educational exercise! We had been watching for them all across the area, and had been in some areas where they live, while geocaching. Always be wary...

[mobeewan]

harley-dave wrote:

azdryheat wrote:
Carry a pistol with birdshot shells. Great defense against snakes. No permit required in AZ.

If you choose this route be sure its a revolver. The semi-autos don't like the bird shot round too much.

Dave

Your statement about semi autos is too general.

CCI .45 ACP works fine.

CCI 9mm maybe not so good in some autos. Which is why you should always test fire any ammo in your firearm before you commit to relying on it to save your life. This includes any hollow point ammo as well.

[Jayco-noslide]

Have been RVing all over the country from north to south to southwest for 35 years. Mostly in natural areas. Have seen only a few snakes of any kind and only 1 rattler; that being in Everglades NP. I always try to look down at the trail just ahead and yes we've nearly stepped on a few but no poisonous ones yet.

[Mr_Mark1]

In California, our local desert museum had an exhibit on Rattle Snakes (and other desert creatures) that was amazingly interesting.

Just as Desert Captain mentioned above, don't cut yourself or try to suck out the poison, you will just get the poison in your mouth. Don't use a tourniquet as you are concentrating the poison in just one area and restricting blood flow which is something that you do not want do. It was said that it is better to let your body dilute it through your system than it be concentrated.

The number ONE thing to do when bitten by a snake is get to a hospital ASAP! And, if you can, determine what type of snake bit you. If at all possible, hopefully, bring the killed snake with you (slim chance right?) so that the doctors will know what type of antivenin to give you.

I've seen 3 rattlers around the house in 22 yrs. and one King Snake (those are good to have around as they kill rattlers). Rattlers do not want to be around people. So, when I go to get fruit off of the trees, I walk like an elephant stomping my feet to make them aware that I'm around. 😛

Safe travels,
MM.