With the coming of warmer weather as spring gives way to summer, it’s time for the annual advisory about rattlesnakes.
Rattlesnakes are venomous and common throughout the East Bay Regional Park District and other Bay Area open spaces. I haven’t seen any so far this season, though other people have reported sightings. As reptiles, snakes regulate their body temperature by moving back and forth between sun and shade. In general, the best way to avoid rattlers is to stay on official trails; don’t take shortcuts through tall grass or brush. If you stop to rest, avoid the rock piles, logs and tall grass that are snake habitat.
If you do see a snake on a trail or fire road, take a wide detour, and please do not tease it or try to pick it up. That’s how most bites result. Rattlesnakes are not aggressive. They will avoid us if possible; we’re much larger than the small rodents and lizards that are their preferred diet. I once unintentionally walked within several feet of one. It rattled a warning but did not strike.
Dogs can be a problem; curious by nature, they may run right up to a snake and get bitten. If it’s a rattlesnake, the result can be a very expensive vet bill. So keep your pet under control at all times. Keep an eye on your small children too. If you see a rattlesnake in a parking lot or picnic area, contact a park ranger, and the ranger will relocate it.
Gopher snakes look a lot like rattlesnakes and will even mimic rattlers by thrashing their tails to create a rattle-like sound. Their bite is painful, but they do not inject venom. There are posters at park district trailheads that illustrate the difference between the two kinds of snakes. In the unlikely event of a rattlesnake bite, here are some first-aid recommendations:
- Remain calm and move beyond the snake’s striking distance.
- Remove jewelry and tight clothing before the affected area starts to swell.
- Position the victim, if possible, so that the bite is at or below the level of the heart.
- Clean the wound, but don’t flush it with water. Cover it with a clean, dry dressing.
- Minimize the victim’s movement. If possible, carry a victim who must be transported, or have him or her walk slowly.
- Get the victim to a hospital as soon as possible for anti-venom treatment. The emergency phone number within the regional parks is 510-881-1121. Using 9-1-1 works too, but it is routed through the California Highway Patrol, so there can be a delay.
For more snake safety information, go to ebparks.org/parks/safety/#Snakes. The district’s brochure, “Common Snakes in the East Bay Regional Park Disrtrict,” has a nice visual comparison of gopher snakes and rattlesnakes. View it online at bit.ly/3da4vol. If you want to see a live rattlesnake under safe conditions, there are specimens in several park district visitor centers. Snake bites are extremely rare, and treatment is effective. With a bit of caution, common sense and awareness of your surroundings, you can enjoy your outdoor experience free from worry.
Online: Although in-person, large group naturalist programs are still on hold because of the pandemic, there are lots of opportunities for nature education online at the park district’s website, ebparks.org. For instance, “Nature Journaling Workshop: Reflections on Water” with naturalist Erica is from 9 to 10:30 a.m. April 24. Then from 11 to 11:15 a.m. the topic is “Least Terns in the San Francisco Bay Area.” From noon to 12:30, local snakes are the stars of the show. During the same time frame you can learn about wildflowers at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch.
All these programs equip viewers to venture out into the parks on their own for knowledgeable, real-world experience of what they saw online. To access these programs, visit ebparks.org/activities/digital_learning/default.htm online.
Ned MacKay writes about East Bay Regional Park District sites and activities. Email him at nedmackay@comcast.net.
