Snakes

Rattlesnake Facts

• Snakes are found most often just after the sun has gone down in the spring, fall and summer - but can be encountered any time.
   
• A rattlesnake can strike about the distance of half its length.
   
• Rattlesnakes rarely grow more than 5 feet long in the wild.
   
• 80% of rattlesnake bites are dry; meaning the victim was not injected with venom.
   
• A rattlesnake burns energy producing venom and will not waste it unless it's really angry or thinks you are food.
   
• More people die from spousal abuse in Arizona than from rattlesnake bites (one person every 2-3 years).
   
• The vast majority of people that get bit are intoxicated at the time and are males under 30.
   
• Mojave and Western Diamondbacks are most common in Arizona.
   
• There are 10-15 Diamondbacks for every one Mojave .
   
• Mojave Rattlesnake is much more deadly; nick named the 'three stepper'.
   
• With a Mojave Rattlesnake bite, symptoms may not show up for 12-16 hours.

How to prevent a bite:

• Believe it or not, the majority (55-90%) of all rattlesnake bites occurred when someone handled a rattlesnake. DO NOT PICK UP A RATTLESNAKE!
   
• The number two reason people get bit is from stepping on them. Keep an eye on where you are putting your feet. Avoid walking in areas where you can not see the ground.
   
• Rattlesnakes like to lie out in the open and catch sun, however they do hide in bushes, cracks, holes.... Watch where you put your hands. Do not put your hands where you can't see.
   
• If you see a rattlesnake and it is not rattling, back away slowly. Their eyesight is based on movement. They will strike at fast moving objects and they can move faster than you.
   
• If you hear a rattlesnake rattle, STOP! Remain calm and do not move! They rattle when they are agitated and will strike at anything that moves. Let them calm down, figure out where the snake is and slowly move away after they stop rattling.
   
• Never get closer than 5 feet from a rattlesnake. This will keep you out of the striking range of any rattlesnake.

If you do get bit:

• Do not panic. When you panic, your blood moves faster, hence the venom will spread faster. Most rattlesnake bites are harmless. Remember that.
   
• Avoid movement and keep the area bit lower than your heart. Do not lay flat!  This will minimize the spread of venom.
   
• Remove clothing and jewelry near the bite. If you were injected, that part of your body will swell up. Imagine your foot swelling to twice its normal size with your shoe still on tight. If you need to walk, remove the laces from the shoe.
   
• Get to a hospital as soon as you can. DO not assume you are okay because you show no symptoms.
   
• DO NOT try to cut the bite open and suck out the poison! This only works in movies. You will only cause more damage. This should only be done by someone that knows what they are doing and in a case where you can not get to a hospital.
   
• DO NOT use a tourniquet unless you can not get to a hospital. If you put a tourniquet on a limb, it may need to be amputated.
   
• DO NOT use ice or cold packs on the bite. This will make it worse.
   
• Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222

If you think you have been bit but are not sure:

Look for fang marks and watch for symptoms. A perfect bite will leave 4 holes but a partial bit may have just one.