Rattlesnakes

Safety and Prevention Tips from:
The Los Angeles Regional Drug and Poison Information Center
LAC+USC Medical Center
1200 North State Street, Room 1107
Los Angeles, CA 90033

Southern Pacific rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis)

Most rattlesnakes are known as "Pit Vipers" because they have little pits between their nostrils and their eyes. These pits can detect heat and are used to find warm-blooded animals when the snake hunts for food.

A rattlesnake's head is shaped like a triangle, and the pupils of its eyes are elliptical instead of round. The tip of the tail has a series of horny rings that shake against each other, called "the rattle."

Rattlesnakes kill their prey by injection of poison (or venom) through their fangs. The fangs are hollow teeth that are connected to a poison gland. When the snake 'fangs - strikes, the puncture the skin of the victim and the snake releases venom into the wound. Snakes lose their fangs and can grow new ones. They may have one to four fangs at a time.

During the winter, rattlesnakes sleep in caves or other hiding places. Baby rattlesnakes are born in the spring and have a full supply of venom at birth. The adult snake can control the amount of venom it injects, and often it injects only part of the venom it has. The baby snake is more likely to inject all of its venom when it bites. Bites from baby rattlesnakes can be very dangerous.

Sometimes a rattlesnake does not inject venom when it bites.

RATTLESNAKE BITE

There are several types of rattlesnakes, and some are more poisonous than others. Some rattlesnakes have chemicals in their venom that cause swelling, redness, pain, bleeding into the skin, and blisters at the site of-the bite. Others do not have these chemicals, and the only sign of a bite is the puncture wounds from the fangs; there is no pain or change in the surrounding skin.

Symptoms of rattlesnake bite include: tingling of the lips, face, fingers and toes. Severe bites may cause shock, bleeding, kidney failure, difficulty breathing, and paralysis. The venom may also damage blood vessels and cause bleeding.

Treatment: ALL SNAKEBITES REQUIRE IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION to determine the seriousness of the bite, to treat the victim for medical problems caused by the bite, and to protect the victim from infection and tetanus.

There is an antidote for rattlesnake bites, and most people recover after treatment. Rattlesnakes are found throughout Southern California in dry, rocky hills and in deserts, on sand dunes at the beach, on farmland, and in tall grass or heavy brush, even in cities. They can climb walls and trees.

During the day, the snakes often sun themselves on rocks or ledges. At night, the snake hunts for food. After eating its prey, the rattlesnake finds a warm place to hide - such as between branches in a pile of wood, in an animal burrow, underneath a log or rock, in a rubbish pile or under a car.

Watch where you step and where you put your hands during rattlesnake season.

FIRST AID FOR RATTLESNAKE BITE

Get the victim away from the snake.
Call 9-1-1 immediately to TAKE THE VICTIM TO THE HOSPITAL.
If you can't get to a phone to call 9-1-1, TAKE THE VICTIM TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY.
Keep the victim as calm and still as possible. Most victims will be very fearful and will need to be comforted.
If the bite is on a hand or arm: remove any rings, watches or tight clothing and put the victim's arm in a sling at the I el of the waist. Put the fingers out straight.

Things that should not be done:

Do not give the victim alcohol, coffee or any medication.
Do not apply a tourniquet.
Do not put heat or ice on the wound.
Do not try to suck out the venom.
Do not cut into the bite area.

The victim has the best chance of recovery if he/she is taken to the hospital as soon as possible

If you find a rattlesnake in or around your home:

Get all of the people and pets away from it.
Call the Animal Control Officer in your area to remove the snake.
Do not try to get rid of the snake yourself.
If a person is trapped by the snake, call 9-1-1 for assistance.

RATTLESNAKE BITE PREVENTION

If you live in rattlesnake country:

Routinely examine your yard before allowing children or pets to go out in it.
If you see a snake, do not disturb it; get away from it quickly.
Do not handle live rattlesnakes.
Don't keep a rattlesnake as a pet; it's against the law.
Don't pick up a piece of firewood from a woodpile with your bare hands - use a long stick to break a piece loose from the pile.

While hiking or camping:

Wear heavy knee-high socks and high-top shoes or boots, and long pants tucked into the shoes.
Do not hike alone.
Do not walk around at night.
Walk on a clear path, if possible.
Avoid tall grass or heavy underbrush. Look carefully before you sit down. Don't gather firewood after dark. Don't put your hands or feet in places you cannot see.
Don't step over a log or large stone; walk around it.
Look under fences before crawling under them.
Make camp on open ground.
Before making camp, check the area for snakes and likely places for snakes to hide.
Don't sleep near wood or rubbish piles.
Keep away from the head of a dead snake. Reflex muscle actions may cause a bite for up to an hour after the snake dies, even if its head is cut off!

THE LOS ANGELES REGIONAL DRUG AND POISON INFORMATION CENTER

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