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Rattlesnakes would prefer to avoid you. Given
the chance, it will usually abstain from a confrontation.
Rattlesnake at Alabama Hills
near Lone Pine, CA
WHEN ON THE TRAIL OR CAMPING
- Make noise.
- Don't reach up or over any place you cannot see.
- Don't step over logs, rocks, ect., without looking first.
- Don't sit on a log, rock, ect., without checking the area first.
- Look ahead and to both sides while on trails.
- Walk around the snake. Don't play with it.
- During hot weather, be more careful in the mornings and evenings.
IF BITTEN BY A RATTLESNAKE:
- Stop moving immediately and lay down if possible.
- Keep the bitten area at or below heart level.
- Immobilize the affected limb.
- If victim can be taken to a hospital within five hours, then go to
hospital or else:
- If mild swelling, discoloration around the bite, along with moderate
pain, nausea, shortness of breath begin to occur, apply constricting
band on the heart side of the wound.
- Band should be 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches wide. Belt can be used.
- Band should be snug. If finger can be slipped under band, it is tight
enough. Loosen band if swelling increases, but do not remove band.
- Be sure you can detect a pulse on both sides of band.
- Be calm, snake bites are seldom fatal in North America. If alone,
find shelter, warmth, and suffer it out. You will be sick and in pain,
but chances are good you will survive.
- If more than one person, send for help.
Most rattlesnakes we have encountered were
hidden and did not see them until after hearing the rattles making that
distinct warning noise. They were not particularly aggressive and just
wanted to be left alone. Should a person get too close then it could be
a different situation.
Has anybody heard of a rattlesnake attacking a
vehicle? There was a rattlesnake in the road and we pulled beside it to
take a photo, then he started attacking the car. This very aggressive
rattlesnake slammed into the car door several times. Didn't get the
best photograph, being afraid he might come through the open window.
Close-Up of Rattlesnake Scales
Close-Up of Rattlesnake Scales
Close-Up of a Rattlesnake Tail
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