Rattlesnake is rather dangerous because it is poisonous and can be harmful to human beings. Therefore, if you accidentally encounter this snake, you should learn how to deal with rattlesnakes and control the situation, to avoid being bitten by this venomous snake.
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Learning About Rattlesnakes
Rattlesnakes are native to the Americas, belonging to the subfamily Crotalinae. It is a family of snakes with potent venom. There are more than 70 types of rattlesnakes globally, of which some common species are the Mojave rattlesnakes. The rattlesnake has a relatively large body; the largest adult world is more than 2 meters long and weighs 5-7 kg.
Their skin is brown, the back is mottled with many dots, and the pattern varies by species and habitat. All rattlesnakes have a hollow tail, consisting of many successive circles, gradually decreasing towards the end of the tail, without meat inside. When vibrating the tail, it will make the rattlesnake sound due to the hard horns colliding.
Like other typical snakes, rattlesnakes also go through the process of peeling their skin about 5-6 times a year. The layer is a bit thicker, and the sound is also louder after each time. They also possess hard jaws and two sharp fangs in the upper jaw to deliver venom to the victim.
Where Do Rattlesnakes Live?
Rattlesnakes like to live in deserts or forests, dry savannas. They are in the burrow most of the time, but sometimes, you can see them basking in the sun in a precise place. If they encounter humans, they will hide, only attacking when threatened with life.
Do Rattlesnakes Lay Eggs?
Unlike other snakes, rattlesnakes do not lay eggs but give birth directly. Then, they perform mating, giving birth from January to March. After giving birth, female snakes often lose energy, and they eat other snakes to recover and prepare for the next cycle.
How Do Rattlesnakes Hunt?
This poisonous desert snake is quite lazy; they often do not actively look for food but lie in the den waiting for prey to pass, then stalk and bite. Their favorite food is birds, mice, small reptiles, and they rarely eat their kind. After attacking the prey, the venom will be transmitted from the fangs to the cells of the prey’s body, causing them to die in just a few minutes.
Rattlesnake’s Venom
The venom of the rattlesnake is ranked among the most dangerous in the world. After being poisoned, the venom will travel through the blood, killing red blood cells as well as nerve cells, leaving the prey paralyzed in just a few minutes.
When bitten by a rattlesnake, the probability of death will be up to 90% in a short time. Even with timely treatment, the bitten area will be paralyzed and necrotic. Many people had to have their hands and feet amputated because of this highly poisonous animal.
How to prevent Rattlesnakes bite?
Rattlesnakes bite when they are frightened, angry, or defensive. They are not looking for a meal. If you come upon them unexpectedly this is a reason for them to bite you.
Snake-proof boots
To be on the safe side wear snake-proof boots that cover your entire feet. They should also have a firmly attached non-skid sole, preferably made of rubber or synthetic material.
Snake repellent spray
Although some people claim that snake repellents don’t work if you are hiking stick to those that contain D-Limonene and Deet.
I walk or work in areas where there are rattlesnakes, wear long pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and a tactical hat with a brim to protect your body from the sun. You can also spray yourself with insect repellent that contains DEET to help keep away some of the insects that might otherwise bite you.
Be on the lookout for snakes because you cannot see them until it is too late. Avoid tall grass and weeds. Do not walk in areas that have been mowed recently.
If you do see a snake, keep your distance. Snakes will typically try to avoid you and move away. This is a good time to remember that snakes generally do not strike at a person unless provoked.
As with any wild animal it is best not to pick them up or try to handle them in any way. If you must pick up the snake, wear thick gloves.
There are many ways to get rid of a rattlesnake. You can use a snake pole, shovel, or even an axe if you are in a dire situation. Try to move away from the snake slowly and don’t worry about getting too close to it, because when you move away, you will still be within striking distance of this snake.
If you find yourself in a situation where someone has been bitten by a rattlesnake and needs immediate medical care, then go ahead and call for an ambulance.
The first thing to do in an event of snakebite is to apply direct pressure to the wound with your fingers. This prevents the blood from flowing into the rest of the body and may prevent more serious damage within the body. You should also immobilize the body part affected by the bite. Keep it steady and keep it lower than the heart. Do not cut, suck or probe the wound with any object or any other means.
Distinguish Between Rattlesnakes And Cobras?
Rattlesnakes and cobras are both poisonous snakes, equally dangerous. However, the rattlesnake’s venom will be challenging to handle, and the mortality rate is higher. Therefore, you should clearly understand how to tell them apart so that you can respond appropriately.
The most noticeable feature to distinguish these two types of venomous snakes is the tail. The cobra’s tail has a snake-like structure, only slightly tapered and pointed towards the end of the tail. The rattlesnake’s tail is different from the body, consisting of small circles in succession, made of keratin and hollow inside, and can emit a sound.
In addition, the cobra’s neck is slightly flattened, bulging horizontally and especially when the snake wants to threaten and attack enemies. The rattlesnake’s neck is tapered to the body, not bulging at all. The size of the rattlesnake is also somewhat large and darker than the cobra.
How To Handle Rattlesnakes
See If It’s A Rattlesnake Or Not?
When encountering rattlesnakes or any snakes like that, you should calmly face them, stand still, or slowly back away to signal them that you do not intend to attack. Next, you observe their actions to watch out, and at the same time observe whether they are rattlesnakes or not?
The rattlesnake head is slightly flat, triangular; the color can be skin or brown, most notably the tail that makes a sound when it moves. Unfortunately, although easy to recognize, some rattlesnakes have broken their tails, so you also need to be careful about this.
Note The Time And Places Where Rattlesnakes Appear
Most rattlesnakes prefer hot environments; some prefer a desert climate, others prefer a more humid climate, such as the Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake. The majority of rattlesnakes live in the southern United States and Mexico. However, they are also found in the desert regions of Canada in Alberta and British Columbia, around Hedley, Keremeos, and Osoyoos.
Rattlesnakes are most fond of summer evenings when the sun goes down and at night – they are most active at night during the summer months. Coincidentally, when the sun goes down, the human eye can’t see clearly, so be careful. It would help if you used a flashlight when walking and wear safety shoes.
Rattlesnakes love warm days. Rattlesnakes can go out in search of warmth – the right temperature for rattlesnakes ranges between 21° and 32°C. Most rattlesnakes do not stay in an open place but often move elsewhere. Therefore, you will most often encounter rattlesnakes, especially around rocks, bushes, or anywhere with caves to hide. However, on sunny days, you can see them warming up on warm rocks or asphalt.
Avoid Rattlesnakes With Appropriate Clothing
Don’t wear sandals – now is the time to wear thick, good-quality picnic boots with matching socks. High ankle boots are best, as ankles are often the site of snake bites. Do not wear sandals, open-toed shoes, or bare feet when walking in the desert. There are many dangers other than rattlesnakes waiting for your recklessness. You need to wear pants that are long and well-fitting.
Some Notes To Prevent Rattlesnakes
Always Have At Least One Companion
If you go alone and get bitten by a snake, it will be very harmful. Remember to bring a callable phone and let family or friends know the route and time you plan to go.
Avoid The Path Of Snakes
The easiest way to avoid encountering rattlesnakes is to stay out of their way. Be alert when picnicking, walking, and climbing. Stick to the usual trails and do not enter the tall grass, low bushes where rattlesnakes can hide.
Do Not Reach Into Dangerous Places
Don’t stick your hand in crevices under rocks, ledges, and bushes when you’re walking. Those are the main hiding places for rattlesnakes. When hiking, it’s best to bring a sturdy cane or at least a sturdy and light stick that will prevent you from having to use your hands in places where snakes can hide.
Step Up Instead Of Step Over
When you need to go over logs or rocks, you should step on the object’s surface, not over it. This way, you will find a snake that can hide underneath and quickly avoid it.
Look Carefully Before Jumping
Carefully observe where your feet are when you land. The snake will be agitated and attack if you jump down next to or directly on top of it. Snakes hear with vibrations, and they can sense someone approaching when you stomp hard from a distance but can’t quickly hide if you suddenly appear without warning.
When you go on a picnic, bring a stick to smack the bushes and low-growing trees before stepping on or passing to let the snakes away. They will crawl right under bushes or thick grass, so don’t put your feet in or on them! If you have to step on places where snakes can hide, probe first with a stick to give the snake a chance to escape.
Get away from snakes. If you accidentally step into the range of a rattlesnake, you need to step back as quickly and gently as possible calmly. Be careful with the waters. Rattlesnakes can swim, so anything that looks like a long stick could be a rattlesnake.
The above are guidelines to help you handle rattlesnakes quickly and effectively in urgent situations. Hopefully, the article provided you with helpful information about this snake. If you want to learn more about snakes, visit our website to update our new articles daily.