It’s peak rattlesnake season here in the Coachella Valley.
Snakes are generally out and about from around April to October, although I have seen them as early as mid-February, depending on the weather. They start coming out as the weather gets warmer and are most active right now (late spring/early summer), as they are on the move, looking for food, water and mates. This time of year is their prime mating and feeding time.
During the high heat of summer, rattlesnakes are most active at dawn, dusk and night, but can be seen throughout the day as well. They often bask in the sun early and then seek shade to avoid overheating as temperatures rise. It’s important to be mindful of this and to always stay on trails—specifically, in the middle of trails—while hiking, as they like to hang out under bushes and other shady areas, such as the crevasses of large rocks and boulders. Please be aware of this if you take a break and sit down on a large rock. It might be a good idea to tap around the rock with your hiking pole before getting too close, and be sure to look again before you get up. Always be aware of your surroundings, and never put your hands and feet where you can’t see them, as rattlesnakes are most likely to bite on the hands, arms, feet and ankles.
Rattlesnakes generally aren’t naturally aggressive toward humans and typically only strike when they feel threatened, or they are hunting. Please be mindful, and give them space while you’re out hiking around. Rattlesnakes are essential to our ecosystem, as they maintain a balance in nature by controlling the rodent population and, therefore, helping prevent the spread of disease.
Most rattlesnake bites occur when people startle them or invade their space by getting too close. Here are some ways this can happen:
• Putting your hands in areas where snakes may be hiding. Snakes like to hide out in dark places. As mentioned above, never put your hands and feet where you can’t see them.
• Being in snake-prone areas and not wearing proper shoes or protective gear. Hiking in flip-flops, sandals or open-toed shoes is a bad idea for many reasons—and they will not protect you during a rattlesnake strike. Instead, wear hiking boots or proper hiking shoes. Wearing gaiters over your hiking shoes and long (loose) pants also add an extra layer of protection.
• Trying to pick up or move a rattlesnake. Disturbing a snake is sure way of being bitten.
• Making contact with the snake unintentionally. A common way to accidentally disturb or startle a rattlesnake is by stepping on it (or over it) or brushing up against it while running or walking. This can trigger a defensive mechanism and cause the snake to strike and bite.
Here are some ways to stay safe:
• Be aware of your surroundings. It sounds obvious, and I’m repeating myself, but far too many people on the trails are not paying attention. Watch where you step while walking or hiking, and always check around areas and edges of places where you sit. Step on rocks and logs, not over them.
• Always keep your dog on a leash, and use wide trails that are free of shrubs, such as service roads. Curious dogs like to look in and around shrubs—places where they may encounter a rattlesnake and get bitten. There are local trainers who offer rattlesnake-aversion classes for dogs.
• Educate yourself on rattlesnakes. There are seven venomous rattlesnake species in the Coachella Valley. Not all snakes are venomous, of course, but it’s best to give them space regardless. Rattlesnakes may or may not rattle before striking and can strike up to two-thirds of their body length (e.g., a three-foot snake could strike up to two feet). Keep yourself safe by staying at least 10 feet (or 10 steps) away if you encounter a rattlesnake.
• Be prepared. If you encounter a snake, do not approach it; back away slowly, and move around the snake, giving it plenty of space. In case of a snakebite, stay still and calm to slow the spread of venom. Remove any tight clothing and jewelry near the bite site, and call 911 if you have cell reception. Seek medical attention immediately; do not apply ice or a tourniquet, and do not attempt any home remedies.
A Fun Event at Oak Glen
From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 17, enjoy the Art and Nature Festival at The Wildlands Conservancy’s Oak Glen Preserve. The Wildlands Conservancy will have an informational booth offering details on their programs and services. In addition, San Bernardino County Animal Care will be there with information about pet adoptions, responsible pet ownership, and their programs and services. Enjoy a day of creativity and nature! The address is 39611 Oak Glen Road, in Oak Glen. It’s less than an hour drive from the west end of the Coachella Valley on Interstate 10. Take Exit 94 (Highway 74/Beaumont Avenue); turn right onto Beaumont Avenue, and take it until it turns into Oak Glen Road. The preserve is right next to Los Rios Rancho. (They share the same parking lot.) When you pull into the driveway, parking will be on the right side near the Southern California Montane Botanic Garden and Children’s Outdoor Discovery Center. Escape the desert heat, and enjoy the entire day there with much cooler temperatures (about 20-25 degrees cooler than the desert) and miles of walking and hiking trails. You can bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the natural surroundings with breathtaking views.
At the preserve and in general: Remember to be mindful of your surroundings. Remember to pack in, pack out—leave no trace! Lastly, remember to stay hydrated and drink more water than usual during this time of year. Start with two 8-ounce glasses an hour or two before your hike, and always take more water than you should need, at least one liter per hour. As desert temperatures warm up, it could take your body a couple weeks to acclimate.