Rattlesnake bites on the rise as weather warms (Sedona: home, live)

[dookieboy]

I have been in the north Phoenix area for the better part of 40 years and can count the times I have been threatened by a rattler on zero fingers. Thats not to say they are not out there, and that I have indeed seen them (probably less than 10 snakes in 40 years, and only 1 anywhere near my yard), but you probably have a better chance of being run over by a Dodge Viper! (Wanted to stay with the whole snake theme).
Mainly in the spring time, just watch where you step and never put your hands in a spot that you can't see (behind bushes/under piles of leaves etc.) and you should be fine. And in the odd chance you do have one take up residence in your yard, call the Arizona Herpetological Association. I believe they offer snake removal services.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by dookieboy

you probably have a better chance of being run over by a Dodge Viper! (Wanted to stay with the whole snake theme).

Or a Mustang Cobra. On a side note, who is the genius that named that car?

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by dookieboy

Iyou probably have a better chance of being run over by a Dodge Viper! (Wanted to stay with the whole snake theme).

Or (keeping with the snake theme) catching a D'Back's homerun ball hit into the stands.

[Mathguy]

Just a follow-up comment

There really isn't a "2 step snake" anywhere in the world...unless you are unlucky enough to take a hit to a major blood vessel etc. Mojave rattlesnakes (crotalus viridis I think is the latin name) do have a STRONG nuerological venom component where *most* rattlesnakes do more tissue\blood damage.

In general, no ice, no tourniquets, no cutting and sucking etc. just get to a hospital asap and try to remain calm.

Read an interesting story about wagon trains coming through what is now KC and having guys walk out front with bullwhips to dispatch rattlesnakes (so as not to lose a mule etc. to a debilitating leg injury). Read of them killing dozens of snakes a day.

Lastly, there are studies done that some rattlesnake populations are becoming less likely to rattle as the noisy ones have been removed from the gene pool.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Mathguy

Just a follow-up comment

There really isn't a "2 step snake" anywhere in the world...unless you are unlucky enough to take a hit to a major blood vessel etc. Mojave rattlesnakes (crotalus viridis I think is the latin name) do have a STRONG nuerological venom component where *most* rattlesnakes do more tissue\blood damage.

Great post! The mojave is actually the Crotalus scutulatus, and the Crotalus viridis is commonly known as the Prairie Rattlesnake.

[Gretchen B]

Are snakes active at night? Is there a temperature (ground temp or air temp?) where they become more active?

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Gretchen B

Are snakes active at night? Is there a temperature (ground temp or air temp?) where they become more active?

Yes, snakes are mostly nocturnal. Theyre also ectothermic, meaning outside air temps regulate their body temps, hence the reason they sun themselves on rocks in the daytime, and warm roads at nighttime.

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Great post! The mojave is actually the Crotalus scutulatus, and the Crotalus viridis is commonly known as the Prairie Rattlesnake.

Cool, I didnt bother to look it up and given the ton of crotalids screwed it up. :-)

P.S. Looking forward to seeing my first Lachesis Muta Muta next time I get up to Chicago. Now that is a big snake.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Mathguy

Cool, I didnt bother to look it up and given the ton of crotalids screwed it up. :-)

P.S. Looking forward to seeing my first Lachesis Muta Muta next time I get up to Chicago. Now that is a big snake.

I take it they have one at one the zoos or something?

[saffordpastor]

As I have said before if I find them in the desert, for the most part I will just walk on by, but if I feel that they could possibly be a danger to me or those around me, I will usually dispatch them. And dont tell me that there is such a small chance of being bitten. My niece was bitten in her own back yard, my nieghbor was bitten, a close friend of mine nearly died because of a bite, another aquaintance lost his finger from a bite.