Snakes Moving From Hibernation

by Nick Coons
Apr 14, 2004

It's starting to warm up again, which means that it's time to head outdoors. Safety is always a concern when heading into remote areas, and snakes are commonly encountered. They come out of their winter hibernation and begin looking for food.

The good news is that most snakes are rather shy, and they don't want to meet you any more than you want to meet them. When a snake bites, it is instinctively trying to defend itself. Therefore, snakes will not intentionally approach you to attack. However, they have no sense of boundary, so they aren't aware that they are heading into your territory when the move into populated areas.

Simply recognizing a snake and keeping your distance can avoid most snake encounters and bites. Unfortunately, snakes bite hundreds of people each year, though only about 12 to 15 are fatally wounded. Bites from rattlesnakes are not uncommon, but deaths are.

Rattlesnakes have the most advanced venom-delivery system in the world. They possess foldable hollow fangs, which inject their venom into the victim. 25% of bites are dry bites, which means that little or no venom is injected during the bite. 50% of bites are sever enough to require antivenin. The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is responsible for most of the bites in the United States.

Rattlesnake bites are typically very painful and often cause massive swelling. Bite victims should be taken immediately to the nearest medical facility for treatment. Trying to administer first-aid can only make the situation worse. Do your best to avoid encounters between snakes and your pets.

Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes can be recognized by the diamond pattern on their backs. They are generally located in rocky areas, and range in length between two and three feet, though can grow as long as six feet.

A Speckled Rattlesnake is a pinkish color, lives in rocky areas, and is often between two and three feet in length.

Sidewinders are approximately four-feet in length and have been spotted in Golden Valley.

Black-tailed Rattlesnakes are black and yellow and are more commonly located in foothill areas.

Arizona Black Rattlesnakes are entirely black and live on mountaintops.

The Coral Snake is much less likely to bite because of the small size of its mouth and fangs, however this snake does carry venom and can be dangerous.

Unlike the common view, snakes are not inherently evil. They simply "attack" to protect themselves from danger. Avoiding rattlesnakes is your best defense against bites.