Hello, Fabrizio, thanks for asking. Hopefully, the information I've
gathered will help set your fears to rest.
Rattlesnakes do indeed inhabit the Santa Clarita Valley.
"Biologists count four varieties of salamander, the California newt,
three types of toad and six different kinds of frogs in the Santa
Clarita Valley. There are thirty-six species of reptiles (including a
native turtle), sixteen lizards and nineteen snakes. Among the latter,
rattlesnakes are in abundance. Most common is the large, dark Southern
Pacific rattler."
History of the Santa Clarita Valley
http://www.scvhistory.com/scvhistory/signal/reynolds/part02.html
The Newhall area in general, and the Santa Clarita Valley have always
been recognized as having an abundant number of rattlesnakes. The
terrain and climate provide an ideal habitat. Rattlesnakes are
important members of the natural community.
However, you needn't be distressed about encountering rattlesnakes on
the sidewalks of Santa Clarita. As areas are developed, paved over,
houses and businesses built, and landscaped, the rattlesnakes are
killed in that process, or are gradually driven toward more rugged
areas. They don't care to live with the dangers of man nearby. Man is
their most dangerous predator.
Further, rattlesnakes are not aggressive. Adult Pacific rattlesnakes
do not attack -- they are defensive. Stay away from them and they
won't bother you. The rattle is a warning. If you freeze, identify the
snake's location, and then take a step away, the snake will gladly
disengage and glide away.
"The rattlesnake has always had a bad reputation. This venomous snake
rarely bites humans unless they have chosen to disturb, tease or try
to pick up the snake. Most often the snake makes a willing retreat.
When cornered the snake will coil and rattle its tail as a warning. It
will raise its neck in an s-shape high above the coil allowing it to
gain elevation for aiming and striking."
The Southern Pacific Rattlesnake
http://www.ci.monrovia.ca.us/city_hall/public_works/canyon_park/southern_pacific_rattlesnake.htm
Reptiles cannot regulate body temperature. They hibernate in the
winter, generally from November until March. The rest of the year,
they start the day by laying in the sun to warm themselves. In dense
chaparral, where little sun reaches the ground, it may climb to the
tops of bushes to bask. When their body heats up, they will move about
in search of food. They generally hunt at dusk, and after eating, will
sleep until morning.
The Poison Control Center at the University of San Diego Medical
Center is one of the leading authorities on Rattlesnake injuries in
Southern California.
"All of Southern California is rattlesnake territory and everyone
should keep that in mind when working around their homes or when
venturing into open space. Many snakebites would not occur if victims
avoid contact with the snake when they see it. Many tried to pick up
the snake or get close to it so they could see it better, triggering
the basic survival instinct in the snake which is to bite in self
defense.
Never place your hands in places where you cannot see them, such as
gopher holes or brush piles.
If out hiking, wear long pants over a pair of good quality boots. This
minimizes the likelihood that the snake fangs will reach the skin if a
bite occurs.
Do not walk barefoot outside after dark as this is the time when
snakes are out hunting for prey.
If a snake is encountered, leave it alone. If given a chance, the
snake will leave. It has no intention of biting except if forced.
Local animal control officers can be contacted for instructions on how
to safely remove a snake that refuses to leave your property."
UCSD Healthcare - Rattlesnakes of Southern California
http://health.ucsd.edu/poison/snakes.asp
The California Department of Fish and Game offers common sense advice
about Living with Rattlesnakes:
"Rattlesnakes can cause serious injury to humans - on rare occasions
even death, as was evidenced in May [2003] when a rattlesnake bite
killed a Riverside County man. Generally not aggressive, rattlesnakes
strike when threatened or deliberately provoked, but given room they
will retreat. Most snake bites occur when a rattlesnake is handled or
accidentally touched by someone walking or climbing.
Approximately 8,000 people annually are treated for poisonous snake
bites in the United States. However, the California Poison Control
Center notes that rattlesnakes only account for about 800 of those
bites each year with about one to two deaths. California rattlesnake
species include the northern Pacific rattlesnake in northern
California, and in Southern California the Western Diamondback,
Sidewinder, Speckled rattlesnake, Red Diamond rattlesnake, Southern
Pacific, Great Basin rattlesnake and the Mojave rattlesnake."
Snake Safety
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/news/news03/03054.html
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
======================================================================
RESEARCHER'S NOTE: There are approximately 36 million Californians,
plus over 100 million visitors each year. There are approximately 800
snakebite injuries each year. The chances of an injury from an
-accidental- rattlesnake encounter are -VERY, VERY- slim.
======================================================================
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Do's and Don'ts in Snake Country
------------------------------------
"When hiking, stick to well-used trails and wear over-the-ankle boots
and loose-fitting long pants. Do not step or put your hands where you
cannot see, and avoid wandering around in the dark. Step ON logs and
rocks, never over them, and be especially careful when climbing rocks
or gathering firewood. Always avoid walking through dense brush or
willow thickets."
Is it a rattlesnake or isn't it?
--------------------------------
"Many a useful and nonthreatening snake has suffered a quick death
from a frantic human who has mistakenly identified a gopher snake,
racer or other as a rattlesnake. This usually happens when a snake
assumes an instinctual defensive position used to bluff adversaries. A
gopher snake has the added unfortunate trait of imitating a
rattlesnake by flattening its head and body, vibrating its tail,
hissing and actually striking if approached too closely.
A rattlesnake is a heavy-bodied, blunt-tailed snake with one or more
rattles on the tail. It has a triangular-shaped head, much broader at
the back than at the front, and a distinct "neck" region. The
rattlesnake also has an opening between the nostril and eye, which is
a heat-sensing pit. Additional identifying characteristics include a
series of dark and light bands near the tail, just before the rattles
which are different from the markings on the rest of the body."
Advice on Snake Safety
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/news/news03/03054.html
Keeping Rattlesnakes Out of the Yard
------------------------------------
The best protection against rattlesnakes in the yard is a "rattlesnake
proof" fence. It can be expensive and require maintenance, however.
The fence should either be solid or with mesh no larger than ¼ inch.
It should be at least three feet high with the bottom buried a few
inches in the ground. Slanting your snake fence outward about a
30-degree angle will help. Vegetation should be kept away from the
fence since the snake could crawl to the top of an adjacent tree or
shrub. Discourage snakes by removing piles of boards or rocks around
the home. Use caution when removing those piles - there may already be
a snake there. Encouraging and protecting natural competitors like
gopher snakes, kingsnakes and racers will reduce the rattlesnake
population in the immediate area. And, kingsnakes actually kill and
eat rattlesnakes."
In addition to Kingsnakes, domestic cats are also an effective
rattlesnake deterrent. While a single cat might become prey, two or
more are likely to team up to kill or drive away rattlesnakes.
One Southern California resident writes, "Last March, over one
weekend, I saw three Rattlesnakes while working outdoors in a semiarid
region of Southern California. That same spring I saw a few more baby
Rattlers in various areas of the 20-acre property where I live. Many
of my friends have never encountered a Rattlesnake and seem quite
nervous when they visit my home. They cautiously stay on the main
roads or trails and frequently look about them as if waiting for a
6-foot-long predator to jump out of the shrubs and attack them."
"Rattlesnakes only hunt for prey which they can swallow whole, such as
small squirrels, rabbits, and other small rodents. Therefore, they
will not intentionally hunt and strike a large animal, including
humans, unless they feel threatened."
Spring Rattles In
http://www.desertusa.com/mag98/mar/stories/rattlesin.html
The FDA, who tracks poisoness snake bites offers this advice on"
Avoiding Snakebites
-------------------
Some bites, such as those inflicted when snakes are accidentally
stepped on or encountered in wilderness settings, are nearly
impossible to prevent. But experts say a few precautions can lower the
risk of being bitten:
Leave snakes alone. Many people are bitten because they try to kill a
snake or get a closer look at it.
Stay out of tall grass unless you wear thick leather boots, and remain
on hiking paths as much as possible.
Keep hands and feet out of areas you can't see. Don't pick up rocks or
firewood unless you are out of a snake's striking distance. (A snake
can strike half it's length)
Be cautious and alert when climbing rocks.
What do you do if you encounter a snake when hiking or picnicking?
Says Hardy: "Just walk around the snake, giving it a little berth--six
feet is plenty. But leave it alone and don't try to catch it."
For Goodness Snakes!
Treating and Preventing Venomous Bites
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/995_snakes.html
The Los Angeles County Castaic Animal Shelter is responsible for
wildlife control in Santa Clarita Valley. They offer the following
advice:
HOW TO IDENTIFY A RATTLER, AND WHAT TO EXPECT
Rattlesnakes are easily identifiable by their broad, triangular heads,
narrow necks, relatively heavy bodies and rattle on the tail, or blunt
tails if the rattles are missing. Baby rattlers can be as dangerous as
adults. Rattlesnakes should not be confused with harmless gopher
snakes, which are beneficial to humans as vermin catchers. (Both have
blotch-like markings down the back.) Rattlesnakes will purposely
attack only those animals smaller than themselves, such as rodents,
unless they are frightened by noise, vibrations or certain odors. They
are terrified by humans (mainly because of our size) and would rather
run than fight if possible. Like all snakes, the body temperature of
the rattlesnake depends on the air temperature, so you would be more
likely to encounter a rattlesnake in the open during the warmest hours
of a spring day and during the cooler hours (morning and evening) of a
summer day.
PROTECTING YOURSELF AND YOURS
Rattlesnakes come into residential areas for two reasons: food and
cover. Therefore, you should: 1. Eliminate the food attraction
(rodents) by (a) keeping your yard free of places where mice or rats
might nest, such as piles of grass cuttings or wood and trash, (b)
plugging all ground openings, such as gopher holes, (c) using only
covered trash containers. 2. Eliminate the cover attraction by (a)
making sure there are several inches of ground clearance under shrubs,
(b) avoiding tall ground covering, (c) moving hiding places such as
large rocks or rubbish. If your property backs onto a canyon or other
uninhabited area, you should clear a bare strip of from 30 to 100
feet, or cut back the chaparral to waist height and thin enough to let
sunlight filter through. 3. Construct, if necessary to protect
children, a snake-proof fence of heavy galvanized screen, 36 inches
wide with 1/4-inches mesh. Bury the lower edge a few inches in the
ground and slant the fence outward at a 30-degree angle from top to
bottom. The ground outside the fence should be kept clear of tall
vegetation - ladders for snakes.
FOR HIKERS
Be prepared, if you go hiking in brush, by (1) wearing loose trousers
over boots or high-top shoes, (2) never stepping in or placing your
hands in places where you can't see, and (3) never hiking alone.
IF THE WORST HAPPENS
If you see a rattlesnake on your property, call the Los Angeles County
Department of Animal Care and Control. If someone is bitten by a
rattlesnake, transport the victim to a hospital as quickly as possible
or call the Sheriff or Fire Department for help transporting the
victim. Call Animal Care and Control for removal of the rattlesnakes.
Do remember: Stay calm, call for assistance and keep in mind that
rattlesnake venom is of such a nature as to usually allow ample time
for successful medical treatment."
Coexisting With the Rattlesnake
http://animalcontrol.co.la.ca.us/html/pages/wildlife/ratsnkes.htm
Castaic Shelter
31044 N. Charlie Canyon Rd.
Castaic, CA 91384
(661) 257-3191 or
(818) 367-8065
Trivia: Western Rattlesnakes are rarely found on eastern facing slopes
in Southern California.
From Personal Experience
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I've lived in rural California snake country for the past 30 years.
Like nearly all of us, I have a little bit of fear, and a very healthy
respect for rattlesnakes. My children, and the other 35 kids on the
block have played in the creek, hiked and played among the the
neighborhood rocks, -worked- at finding rattlesnakes -- and in all
that time, among all those people, mostly we see only rattlesnakes
that have been run over on the road in the middle of the night. It
just -isn't- something that touches our lives on a daily basis at all.
Search Strategy
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Personal knowledge, and Google search terms:
rattlesnakes "santa clarita" distribution
rattlesnake bites "southern california"
western pacific rattlesnake
Should you have further questions, please feel free to ask for clarification.
Best regards,
---larre |
