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.

[Bumpyroad]

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

I have 22 magnum birdshot for my rifle.
bumpy

[ppine]

I used to work in the field all the time for a living in places like AZ, NM, Utah and Nevada. Snakes are around but you will see few. Be careful when temperatures are 70-80 degrees. During the heat of the day they are in the shade. At twilight they come out of hiding. By early morning in the cool weather they are sluggish. Step heavily and shuffle your feet in the brush. I carried a shovel a lot. Carry a stick instead. Keep your eyes moving and be careful where you place your hands and feet.

I have almost stepped on several of them when doing plant surveys. I have had one crawl under me when sitting. Do not disturb them and learn their habits.

[JimK-NY]

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?

[Desert_Captain]

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.

:C

[Hondavalk]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Rattle Snakes--------I'm gonna KILL it..........:S

Zombie Insects.


Sounds like a episode of 'Wild Wild West' and Dr. Miguelito Loveless

:B 😉 :R

[harley-dave]

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

[JimK-NY]

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.

[jkwilson]

I've worked in the Arizona desert for many years. Days, nights, summer and winter. Seen more than my share of rattlesnakes.

Shade is their friend during the day. They'll find a spot of shade under the scrubbiest bush, the smallest rock or a signpost and nearby activity won't run them out. We generally try to herd them with brooms to get them away from where we are working, but they often aren't willing to leave.

Never assume there isn't a snake some place. Even if you've been standing in a spot for 10 minutes, there could be one under that bush a few feet from you. Look! Park a car? You just created a bunch of shade. Start looking under it as you approach so you don't put your foot right next to a snake resting under your door.

An LED headlamp will be a must if you walk outside at night.

They aren't aggressive, but you have to develop a new approach to doing things so you don't blunder in on one without either of you realizing you are about to meet. That's when bad things happen.

[Bumpyroad]

one rest stop on I-10 IIRC, had a sign to beware of poisonous insects. so rattlers are not your only concern.
a West texas state park I stopped at had a sign warning you to beware walking on the blacktop sidewalk after dark as the snakes liked to lay there getting warmed up.
bumpy

[Ski_Pro_3]

I killed 2 rattlers today at my house and 11 last year. Been living here over 30 years and average 6 or 7 a year. All snakes within 15' of the house.
I've lots of time to observe them.
1. They like to come out as the sun goes down.
2. I've taken out the trash and on the way back in, right where I walked just a minute ago, rattle snake. Happens pretty frequently!
3. If it's a baby rattler, there are gonna be more. A lot more.
4. There is nothing that will discourage them from just coming right in the front door, so close the doors!
5. They don't 'attack'. Twice while weeding, I've actually touched 'em before I saw them. They stayed hidden, no rattling, nothing. Both times was morning so maybe they were still lethargic from the cool of the evening.
6. The cats piss 'em off. The only time I've heard 'em buzz is when my cats 'play' with them.
7. They are very easy to kill. I used to shoot them, until I missed and shot the rattles off, making the snake very hard to find so I could finish the job. Then I got a hoe and whack their head off. Now I just drop a rock on their head. Any rock, about the size of a soft ball or maybe a little bigger. Small ones I can just stand over them and stay out of strike range. Bigger ones I lob it a couple feet. Heck, someone drop a rock that size on my head from 5' or higher is likely to kill me, so believe me, it kills the rattler.
8. They don't strike just because you stepped near them.
9. They will strike if you step ON them. My son stepped on one in our rose garden. He thought it was a stick. He said it felt like someone took a baseball bat to his shin. Knocked him flat on the ground. He didn't know what happened until he saw it crawling away around a rose bush. No venom injected, it was a large snake and that means it was an experienced snake. It knew there was not malevolent intent and just wanted the foot off him.
10. Wear boots and heavy pants that are extra long/baggy. Not tight fitting. If one does strike, it's less likely a fang will find your skin.
11. I carry a ski pole, a walking stick works too. Bang it around and let the snake know you are around. It won't run, it will hunker down and stay that way until you pass.

In a nut shell, unless you have a lot of experience looking to not step on a rattler, you probably are not going to see them. They really blend in quite well and will sit real still when they know someone is close. You'll never spot one further away than maybe 3 feet or so unless it's on pavement or other man made surface.

[2gypsies1]

imgoin4it wrote:
I’ve lived in NM for 38 Years and I’ve seen one rattle snake in that time.it was on a county road and an individual was trying to “herd” it across a road with a stick. My wife walks a dog in the desert and watches and stays away from likely habitats but has never seen one. The point is watch for them, be aware but you may never see one.

This is right on. We are hikers and love boondocking in the wilds of the desert. We have never seen a rattlesnake. Yes, they're out there but if you use common sense and watch where you're walking or sitting chances are you'll never see one. In the summer you don't go outside at night without a flashlight & look first before walking. They like to lay on warm surfaces at night like the road or on rocks.

We did, however, see one laying on the blacktop road in Texas.

It's not like they're going to chase you. Just be aware of your surroundings.

By the way, those most bit are men and boys! Recently I read of a guy who picked one up and it bit him so he transferred it to his other hand... got bit twice.

OP: One thing you mentioned was Monument Valley and a trail to Natural Bridge. I could have missed it but I'm not aware of where this would be. There is Natural Bridge Nat'l Monument on UT95 west of Blanding but that's a long way from Gouldings and you wouldn't be walking to it.

We have been to Natural Bridges and hiked the trails which are fun because some involve climbing ladders but didn't see any snakes of any kind.

Relax.... and stop reading about them! 🙂

[Vette_Racer]

I've spent the last 4 years in AZ during the winter and never seen a rattle snake, heard a few coyotes and only seen one. Walked up on one in NM but stopped real quick when he warned me with a rattle and backed away as soon as I could figure out where he was at, bottom line, if you hear a rattle, stop and find him, then back out. If you ever hear that rattle you won't forget it.

[Old-Biscuit]

Rattle Snakes--------I'm gonna KILL it..........:S

Zombie Insects.


Sounds like a episode of 'Wild Wild West' and Dr. Miguelito Loveless

[old_guy]

I heard some very good advice in Yuma a few years ago IF you kill a rattle snake, if nothing else cut off the head and bury the head. if you do not bury the head and some of the biting insects get on the head they may pick up venom and IF they bite you it will be as if the snake bit you and they can inject venom into you body. when in snake country I always carry a 22 with shot or a 357 loaded with shot. it also helps to carry a shovel. great tool to lean on.

[time2roll]

docsouce wrote:
I have never seen one.

and most likely you will continue to not see one unless you actually go looking. If given the chance the rattler will try to avoid you. Danger strikes when cornered or startled like most any wild animal.

BTW tastes like chicken 😉