California is home to about 50 different native species of snakes. Some of the more commonly observed species include gopher snakes, California king snakes and rattlesnakes. Included in those 50 species are seven species of rattlesnakes found in California and most of their ranges are defined by our diverse geography. These include the Mojave rattlesnake aka Mojave green (Crotalus scutulatus) found in the desert and foothills of southeastern California. The Panamint rattlesnake (C. stephensi) are found in the high, inland deserts of northern portions of Southern California. The Red-diamond rattlesnake (C. ruber) is found south of Los Angeles to Baja California. Sidewinders (C. cerastes), sometimes called horned rattlers because of the raised scales above each eye that look like horns, are the smallest rattlesnake in California and are found in Southern California deserts from below sea level to about 6,000 feet. Speckled rattlesnakes (C. mitchcellii) are found in the Colorado, Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of Southern California south to Baja California. The Western diamond-backed rattlesnake (C. atrox) is relatively rare within its range of far southeastern Southern California. The Western rattlesnake (C. oreganus) is the most common and wide-ranging species of rattler in California. They are found throughout the state from sea level to about 7,000 feet making it the species most likely to be encountered in the Central Valley, Inner Coastal Range and the Sierra Nevada foothills. 

There are three subspecies of Western Rattlesnakes. The Northern Pacific rattlesnake (C.o.oreganus) is found throughout Central and coastal Northern California. The Southern Pacific rattlesnake (C.o.helleri) is found along the Southern California coast and the Great Basin rattlesnake (C.o.lutosus) which is found in the northern Sierra Nevada. The species we are most likely to encounter in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument region is the Northern Pacific rattlesnake.

Rattlesnakes have large venom glands at the back of their jaw that gives them their distinct triangular-shaped heads and are known for their unmistakable rattling tail. The rattling sound is a warning that they are there and don’t care to be fiddled with. Which is very considerate and convenient seeing as how a rattlesnake bite requires very prompt medical attention.

Rattlesnakes are fairly common on hiking trails and in rural areas throughout the region. They are generally active from April through October and when the weather gets chilly they enter brumation - a period of slow body activity and deep sleep shared by other cold-blooded organisms and me during the shift to standard time in the winter.

Rattlesnakes are born pre-loaded with venom and producing more of it requires energy so the snakes don’t dole it out willy-nilly. Meaning, you’re too big for them to eat so they’d rather not waste the venom on you, hence the warning rattle. However, a threatened snake may bite without the warning sound so when outdoors paying attention to where your feet, hands, and dog are at all times is imperative. The rattle itself is made up of keratin and grows a new segment each time the snake sheds its skin. Older snakes may have several buttons on their rattles or none at all if it’s been broken off so being able to identify them based on other characteristics is important. They can be found in a variety of diverse habitats from the coast to the foothills. They can be found in rural and urban areas, along stream and river banks, in parks, on golf courses, under landscaping and even under trash cans or along retaining walls in urban developments. They take refuge in wood piles, under rocks and in brushy areas and they like open areas for basking.

To minimize the possibility of encountering a rattlesnake, the California Poison Control System and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends that you:

• Stay on clear, well-used trails and avoid wandering into tall vegetation and thick brush.
• Always pay attention to where you’re stepping and when encountering a large rock or log, step on top of it to avoid stepping in front of a snake that may be snoozing on the other side.
• Wear sturdy boots and long pants.
• Be sure to investigate rocks and logs with your eyes, not your hands, before you have a seat.
• Hike with a buddy and keep children close.
• Do not mess with snakes, even if they appear to be dead. Muscle contractions may continue after the snake is dead and bites can still happen.
• Keep your pets on a short leash to keep them from sticking their noses into places where snakes could be dozing.
• As always with any hike, leave with a fully charged cell phone, tell others where you plan to hike and what time you plan to return.

If you do encounter the tell-tale sound or a rattler itself on the trails or anywhere else, stop moving immediately and determine where the snake is. Slowly back away and try to maintain a six foot distance (you know how to do this from COVID protocols), big snakes can strike from a substantial distance. Do not touch, relocate or kill the snake, most bites happen when people get too personal with them.

If something terrible transpires and you or someone in your party does get bitten, call 911 immediately and remove constricting things like rings, watches and shoes. Severe and even life-threatening symptoms are possible and can begin occurring within minutes of being bitten. If your dog is bitten, get him or her to the vet as quickly as you can. Administration of anti-venom as soon as possible can save human and canine lives. 

Do NOT:

• Apply ice or heat to the area
• Cut or slice around the area (eww)
• Suck the venom out (this is a gross old cowboy movie myth)
• Take any medicine or consume alcohol or caffeine
• Use a tourniquet to restrict blood flow or to contain the venom

Lots of Fun Facts and Side Notes:

• Sidewinders are named for their sideways gait; their method of locomotion reduces the time that any one part of their body is in contact with the hot sand.
• Did you know that there is an approved rattlesnake vaccine for cats and dogs? Your veterinarian can tell you more.
• There are also canine rattlesnake aversion training classes. Ruben and I are enrolled for one in August, shoot me an email if you’d like information on it.
• Do you know the difference between a venomous animal and a poisonous animal? If it bites or stings you it’s venomous (rattlesnakes, spiders) and if you consume, inhale or absorb the toxin, it’s poisonous (toads and newts).
• Although they lack venom and fangs, an agitated gopher snake can mimic a rattler by flattening its head and vehemently shaking its tail. Bless their little three-chambered hearts for trying so hard to be scary.
• California king snakes not only eat rodents but they also consume rattlesnakes and are unbothered by their venom.
• All rattlesnakes have temperature-sensitive “pits” (hence the name pit viper) on each side of the head that allows them to locate prey in the dark.
• Rattlesnakes along with several other species of snakes are live bearers meaning they don’t lay eggs but give birth to several tiny snakes. The babies stay with momma and she cares for them for one to two weeks after birth.
• Rattlesnakes can swim!

All snakes, including rattlesnakes, play an integral role in our ecosystems and contribute to a healthy and diverse environment. Leaving them to their work is the best thing for everyone. If you need a rattlesnake removed there are services that will come catch and relocate the snake.