Rattlesnake bites on the rise as weather warms (Phoenix, Thatcher: travel, hospital)

[Greatday]

Angelina Martin stepped over a low wall as she was pulling weeds Sunday when something moved beneath her foot. She heard a rattling sound and almost instantly felt the pain of two punctures on her leg.

The 68-year-old Carefree woman was one of five Valley people who were hospitalized over the weekend for rattlesnake bites as warmer weather has brought the snakes out of hibernation.

azcentral.com | Phoenix Arizona News - Arizona Local News

[Steve-o]

Where are all the nay-sayers now?

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Where are all the nay-sayers now?

There are no rattlesnakes in Arizona. This one must have escaped from a traveling herpetology exhibit.

[kdog]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Where are all the nay-sayers now?

It was probably a mosquito bite.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

There are no rattlesnakes in Arizona. This one must have escaped from a traveling herpetology exhibit.

Is that some kind of Jedi mind trick?

[Synergy38]

The Diamondbacks were named after the 1800's Diamond miners in the Phoenix area.. the fact their logo is a snake is but a mere coincidence.

LOL

[MichaelinWA]

"An estimated 400 people are bitten by rattlesnakes in Arizona every year, but fewer than 275 are treated. Relying on memory, experts said about five deaths have occurred in the state since 2002."

Is rattlesnake's bite growing deadlier?

Scary picture. That's not Eric Byrnes!

[saffordpastor]

I have sent 2 rattlers to reptile heaven already this year and have ran into several more. My dog nearly got it last week and my nephew was less than a foot from one about 2 weeks ago.
One I killed 1/2 block from my house and have ran into 3 while fishing.
My 8 year old niece was bitten in her backyard near in Thatcher 2 years ago.
Over the years I have set dozens free from thier earthly misery.

I am more inclined now to just live and let live when it comes to rattlers, but when it comes to sharing my yard or fishing hole I am not quite as peaceful.
I have taken to carrying a .357 mag loaded with shotshells now when I get back in the outback.

[Stumblina]

Originally Posted by MichaelinWA

"An estimated 400 people are bitten by rattlesnakes in Arizona every year, but fewer than 275 are treated. Relying on memory, experts said about five deaths have occurred in the state since 2002."

Is rattlesnake's bite growing deadlier?

Scary picture. That's not Eric Byrnes!

I didn't realize rattlers got THAT big! Yikes!

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Stumblina

I didn't realize rattlers got THAT big! Yikes!

Thats a textbook western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox), the most encountered venomous snake in AZ. 6' specimens are very large, most hover around 3-5'.