Snakes become sluggish anywhere below 60 degrees° F, so as long as warmer temps prevail, as it seems to be doing this year in many regions, it’s better to be safe than sorry and wear Snake Gaiters (lower leg protection) when raking leaves, stacking firewood, hunting, or hiking. 

Snakes are more reactive to consistently cold weather, rather than a change of seasons. Rattlesnakes are even known to move around during extended warm periods during winter months, especially if they hole up in a stump or other location that can be warmed easily by sunshine. Many states are having a warm and wet autumn season, which increases the food supply, so copperheads, cottonmouths, and rattlesnakes are still out and about. All of these venomous snakes are pit vipers, meaning they have heat-sensitive pits in front of each eye to help locate prey.  

If you are bitten, seek medical attention immediately, say the experts. If you can, call 911 to come get you. If bitten, do NOT:

    •    Use a tourniquet. If the tourniquet is tied too tight, that may cause the loss of a limb.
    •    Make cuts through or near the site of the bite.
    •    Try to suck venom from the site of the bite.
    •    Try to kill or capture the snake, as that would only give it another chance to bite.

Killing or capturing the snake is also unnecessary. Because a single type of antivenom is used to treat all pit viper bites in the United States, medical professionals do not need to know the exact type of snake.

With leaf-peepers out in the woods and several hunting seasons underway or starting soon, it's a good time to be extra mindful while outdoors, being extra cautious around logs or rocks. Venomous snakes tend to be well-camouflaged, so watch where you walk, and don’t go barefoot or wear flip-flops or sandals, even on established trails or around campgrounds. Deaths in the USA from venomous snakes are rare, but a dry bite, where no venom is released, can still be very painful. A venomous bite is not only painful, but can be dangerous due to swelling, a drop in blood pressure, potential loss of limb where bitten, and permanent nerve damage.  Don’t take a chance — wear Snake Gaiters this fall when in the desert or woods.

If you’re unlucky enough to have a venomous snake sink its fangs into you, your best hope is an antivenom administered at a hospital. Traditionally, the process of creating an antivenom involves milking snake venom by hand and injecting it into horses or other animals in small doses to evoke an immune response. The animal’s blood is drawn and purified to obtain antibodies that act against the venom. Producing antivenom in this way can get messy, not to mention dangerous. The laborious process is prone to errors, and the finished serum can result in serious side effects.

Experts have long called for better ways to treat snakebites, which kill some 200 people a day, mainly in the developing world, and leave 400,000 people a year with disabilities. The World Health Organization added snakebite to its list of neglected tropical diseases in 2017.

In an effort to create more effective antivenom treatments, scientists studied the blood of this selfless man, and scrutinized the meticulous records that he had kept all those years. What they discovered is that by exposing himself to the venom of snakes for nearly two decades, by injecting venom and allowing himself to be bitten, the man generated antibodies that were effective against several snake neurotoxins at once.  The courageous man gave up immunizing himself with snake venom in 2018 after some close calls.  The researchers isolated antibodies from the blood that reacted with neurotoxins found within the 19 snake species tested in the study, which included coral snakes, mambas, cobras, taipans, kraits and others. Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons then published details of an antivenom that can protect against bites from 19 species of venomous snake — at least in mice — based on antibodies in the blood and a venom-blocking drug.

The drug cocktail the scientific team created ultimately included three things: two antibodies isolated from the willing victim’s blood, and the small-molecule drug varespladib, which inhibits an enzyme that is present in 95% of all snakebites. The drug is currently in human clinical trials as a standalone treatment. Despite the revolutionary potential of this new antivenom, your best bet at this point is prevention. Wearing snake proof gaiters, chaps, or boots can provide peace of mind and perhaps even save your life! If bitten, do not hesitate. Seek immediate medical attention.

Can rattlesnakes swim?
Yes! Although rattlesnakes are not typically aquatic, they are known to be good swimmers and can move efficiently through water. They might swim to escape from predators or hunt for prey, and can be found in rivers, swamps, lakes and even backyard swimming pools!  There have been documented cases of people being bitten by rattlesnakes while swimming, but those cases are rare. While rattlesnakes can bite while swimming, it's not their typical behavior, and they are less likely to attack in water than on land.

How do rattlesnakes have babies?
Unlike many other snakes that lay eggs, rattlesnakes are ovoviviparous, meaning the eggs are retained within the mother's body until they hatch, and the young are born fully developed. The female rattlesnake carries the fertilized eggs inside her body for a gestation period of about six to seven months.  The eggs hatch inside the mother, and she gives birth to live young, typically in late summer or early fall. Litters typically consist of between 5 and 20 young, but the exact number can vary by species. After giving birth, female rattlesnakes typically provide some care to their young, often staying near them for a few weeks until the newborns shed their skin for the first time.

Are baby rattlesnakes just as dangerous as adult rattlesnakes?
Newborn rattlesnakes, also known as neonates, are fully equipped with venomous fangs from birth, enabling them to hunt small prey effectively. Baby rattlesnakes are born with a button on the end of their tail, which will develop into the rattle as they grow and shed their skin. Baby rattlesnakes have no rattles until they first shed their skin. Despite their impish size, baby snakes have enough venom to be very dangerous if they bite a human. Dry bites can occur when an adult rattlesnake is startled and bites out of instinct rather than hunger or as a defense against a threat. However, know that baby rattlesnakes can be more dangerous as they don’t have as much control over their venom.

Where do rattlesnakes go in winter?
In the United States, snake season is typically mid-March to mid-November. During the colder months of the year, pit vipers experience a form of hibernation called brumation. Rattlesnakes will usually search for underground dens during the winter to stay warm with a group of snakes. Rattlers tend to form a hibernaculum, and pile into one spot that will have a fairly steady temperature throughout the winter. Oftentimes it’s a lava tube or cave. A hidden setting that typically holds at about 55 degrees is ideal for brumation. Reptiles and amphibians are exothermic, which means their body temperature is reflective of the environmental temperature. In populated areas, an unused basement in a house or an outbuilding can serve the same purpose.

Is there anything good about rattlesnakes?
Rattlesnakes are natural predators of rodents, which can carry diseases and damage crops.. By controlling rodent populations, rattlesnakes help maintain a healthy and balanced ecosystem. Some of their venom even has medicinal potential for humans. Research into rattlesnake venom has led to the development of drugs for various conditions including cancer, pain, and heart problems. Other components of rattlesnake venom are being studied for their potential to treat a range of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s.


When working or playing in snake country, take an easy proactive step to help keep yourself safe— wear snake gaiters that cover your lower legs. If you are bitten by a rattlesnake, seek immediate medical attention. Call 911 or get to the nearest hospital for anti-venom treatment. Don’t use a tourniquet or apply ice. Don’t cut the bite or try to remove the venom. Don’t drink caffeine or alcohol. Don’t take pain-relieving medicine, because doing so can increase your risk of bleeding. While survival from a rattlesnake bite without antivenom is possible, it's a serious medical emergency that can lead to severe complications and death if left untreated. Don’t take a chance! Seeking immediate medical attention is crucial for the best chance of recovery.

Few sounds will make a a person freeze or take flight faster than a “rattle,” but folks also recognize the important part that snakes play in our ecosystem, including keeping populations of mice and other rodents in check. Most people do not agree with the old adage “the only good rattlesnake is a dead rattlesnake.”  Only 15 species of snakes found in Texas are venomous, and some of these are in remote areas where contact with humans is rare. There are four groups of dangerously venomous snakes in North America, and Texas has all four: rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, and coral snakes (another good reason to wear snake gaiters when hiking, hunting, and working around brush).

The most famous feature of the rattlesnake is, of course, its rattle.  The rattle is found at the tip of the tail and used by the snake to warn potential aggressors to back off. The rattle can also be used to distract the snake’s prey. The rattle sound is created when hollow and bony segments (buttons) bang together. Each time the snake sheds its skin, a new button appears.  Until a rattlesnake has two or more buttons, it does not make a sound. That means baby rattlesnakes can be extra dangerous— they have no buttons to warn off a target.

Rattlesnake babies are born venomous and often are more aggressive than the adults. As the rattlesnake ages it learns to control the amount of venom it releases, whereas young snakes don’t have that kind of control.  Spring is breeding season for rattlers. Adult female rattlesnakes are ovoviviparous, meaning the egg sacs are incubated within the mother so the young emerge fully developed. The longest rattlesnake in Texas so far has been recorded at 81.5 inches long.

Whether you are a wildlife biologist, university scientist, herpetologist, snake collector, or just someone interested in seeing and learning more about rattlesnakes, head to Sweetwater, Texas March 13-16, 2025 for the world’s largest Rattlesnake Roundup.  Residents say their usual population of 11,000 people soars to approximately 40,000 for the festivities, and all are welcome. Since 1958, this specific rattlesnake roundup has brought a sense of adventure and excitement to the rural community— and the tradition continues!

Tom drove himself to the nearest emergency room where he received his first dose of anti-venom and learned that his condition was critical— because he had done something he wasn’t supposed to do. “I got the wise idea to put a tourniquet on it so I could drive and try to keep the poison out of my arm,” he said. “When I got to the hospital, they took the tourniquet off and said that I shouldn’t have done that. That’s not what you do because I super concentrated all that venom just in this part of my hand and arm.”  Although applying the tourniquet put him at risk of losing his left hand, the doctors were able to save his hand after multiple rounds of anti-venom and intensive care.

When treating venomous snake bites, both in people and pets, the list of what NOT to do is longer than the list of what to do. Experts agree you should NOT apply suction, heat, pressure or tourniquets, and you definitely should not administer Benadryl, aspirin, steroids, or antibiotics. Do not elevate the bite either.

What SHOULD YOU DO if a rattlesnake bites you? As difficult as it might be, try to relax while someone gets in touch with emergency services. Relaxing will slow your heart rate so that not as much venom is pumped throughout your body. Also avoid hiking or other physical activities. Because swelling may occur, remove rings and other constricting items. In most cases, some sort of anti-venom treatment will be needed. You might even need to be airlifted for help. Not all hospitals will have anti-venom on hand, so do call for emergency help immediately so anti-venom can be located as soon as possible. Your recovery will largely depend on how quickly you get treatment, the amount of venom, where the bite occurred, and your overall state of health and strength of immunity.

Treat all snake bites as medical emergencies. Call 911! Even though a percentage of rattlesnake bites are “dry bites,” meaning they don’t contain any venom, you won’t know if your bite is lethal or not. Don’t guess— seek immediate medical attention. Dry bites can occur when an adult rattlesnake is startled and bites out of instinct rather than hunger or as a defense against a threat. However, know that baby rattlesnakes can be more dangerous as they don’t have as much control over their venom.

To avoid encountering a rattlesnake:

• Stay on the trail when hiking. Rattlesnakes not only will be more visible on a wide trail, they will be less likely to be hanging out in trafficked areas.
• Don’t listen to music while hiking. If a rattlesnake rattles, you need to be able to hear it.
• Hike with others. Should the worst happen, one person can get help while the other stays immobile.
• Do not approach, provoke or attempt to catch rattlesnakes.
• Do check your campsite, as rattlesnakes will often seek heat during the night.
• Keep dogs on a leash. Symptoms of dogs or cats being bitten by a rattlesnake are swelling, whining, rubbing their face on the ground, or seizures. If you suspect a rattlesnake has bitten your pet, the most critical thing is to remain calm. It is rare for animals to die from being bitten, but the sooner you can get your pet to a veterinary clinic or animal hospital, the better.
• Wear snake gaiters to help protect lower legs.
  

The Year of the Wood Snake is a rare and significant combination that occurs once every 60 years. This unique pairing of the snake, known for its wisdom and transformative energy, with the wood element, symbolizes growth, stability, and creativity. Individuals born under the Snake sign in the Chinese zodiac are often associated with characteristics like wisdom, charm, and strong intuition. They usually think things through thoroughly, prefer to keep things private, and are really good at understanding and caring about others. Wood enhances the Snake’s natural ability to think strategically, making this year a great time for pursuing new ventures, especially in creative or artistic fields.

At the beginning of 2025, the world is still under the influence of the outgoing and positive Dragon, which was a high-action period with plenty of activity. Snake years are times when the world stops to think. Some say that the Year of the Snake could bring career breakthroughs for those who are strategic and diligent. Mythology recognizes the Snake as a creature of healing, which influences the physical body to shift to a more spiritual outlook. A great deal of quiet progress can be made in 2025 with the help of this planetary energy. Honor this transformative beginning every day with positive thoughts.  

The Snake year encourages protection, so create a safe space to work and live by practicing good feng shui to feel safe and secure and to enhance the year’s energy. This is the year to make headway in methodical and strategic ways. There is no need to exhaust your energy: adopt the nature of the Snake with awareness and a greater sense of timing, ready to strike when the time is right to maximize the energy of the year.

If you're celebrating the Year of the Wood Snake in 2025, here are a few practices to consider:

• Family Reunions and Feasts: Chinese New Year is a time for families to come together. Celebrate with special meals, offering prayers to ancestors, and bonding over traditional dishes like dumplings and fish, symbolizing wealth and prosperity.
• Red Decorations: Decorate your home with red lanterns and couplets to welcome the year’s energy and attract good fortune.
• Giving Red Envelopes: Exchange red envelopes filled with money, symbolizing good luck and blessings for the year ahead.
• Wear snake gaiters to protect your lower legs when working, hiking, hunting or recreating in the desert or woods where rattlesnakes, copperheads and other venomous snakes are known to live.

In the United States, snake season is typically mid-March to mid-November. During the colder months of the year, pit vipers experience a form of hibernation called brumation. So why worry about rattlesnakes, copperheads and water moccasins in the winter?  Snake bites actually can happen at any time, especially in southern states where the weather is much warmer year-round. That means snakes can always be active, which is exactly what David Humphlett, a social media influencer and wildlife enthusiast in Florida recently discovered— he was hospitalized for two weeks in the ICU after an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake bit him!

David travels the United States to find and showcase wildlife, particularly snakes and other reptiles. He described what happened by saying “…and then I just felt, out of nowhere, this intense pain, right in my leg. Honestly, it felt like an alligator.” Doctors gave him 88 vials of antivenom as his leg swelled from the snake’s venom. Despite the life-threatening run-in with the rattlesnake, Humphlett doesn’t blame the animal and views the incident as an educational moment. he startled the viper. “It was petty scary because my whole body went numb head to toe,”  he said.  The star, who has millions of followers on Instagram and TikTok, caught the whole thing on camera and has documented his road to recovery. “At the hospital, it just felt like my leg was going to explode from the pressure and all my tendons and nerves were just insane. Horrible feeling, I mean the worst pain in my life for sure,” he explained.  David is now back home working on regaining function in his right foot.

Where does antivenom come from?
"Venom is a pretty crazy thing, and the way it's processed is crazy too,” explains an expert. “I’m sure you've all heard about milking snakes for their venom, or maybe you've seen videos of it. The process is pretty neat, but milking is how we get anti-venom. We actually need to collect venom, and this is a really cool process.” Scientists inject the venom they collect from milking these snakes into a mammal, like a sheep or a horse. Once the venom enters the animal’s body, it begins to produce antibodies, which is similar to what happens when we get sick. For example, when we catch the flu, our body immediately starts producing antibodies. These antibodies are then extracted from the horse and turned into anti-venom, which we can use if we're bitten by a snake.

In more northern states, snakes will occasionally wake up throughout the winter, especially if it’s warm and sunny, or if there is an earlier spring. They will get something to drink, spend time in a sunny spot soaking up the heat, and then go back into their den.  So it’s important to be aware of your surroundings no matter the season— as well as wearing snake gaiters to protect lower legs.

Rattlesnakes will usually search for places underground during the winter to stay warm with a group of snakes called a den. Reptiles and amphibians are exothermic, which means their body temperature is reflective of the environmental temperature. So those species in particular tend to form a hibernaculum, and they pile into one spot that will have a fairly steady temperature throughout the winter. Oftentimes it’s a lava tube or even some caves. A hidden setting that typically holds at about 55 degrees is ideal for brumation. Although not common in populated areas, an unused basement in a house or an outbuilding can serve the same purpose.

Reptiles that are in a state of brumation are going to be very slow to move, they’re not going to have a lot of energy to evade or jump out and bite. If you were to find brumating snakes, it’s not going to be a direct threat to you, but it’s certainly something to avoid.

While fatalities are rare thanks to modern medicine, rattlesnakes command respect for their potent venoms, defensive behaviors, and unique hunting capabilities.The most dangerous snakes in America when not brumating represent various species that earn their fearsome reputations through different combinations of venom toxicity, size, temperament, and frequency of human encounters.

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is the largest venomous snake in North America. This heavyweight champion combines massive size with devastatingly potent venom! Reaching lengths of up to eight feet and weighing over 30 pounds, it's not just its impressive size that makes this snake lethal - it's also equipped with the longest fangs of any rattlesnake species in the world. When threatened, it can deliver massive amounts of tissue-destroying venom that, without treatment, has a fatality rate as high as 30%. While preferring to avoid human contact, these snakes are well-known for their defensive nature and will stand their ground if threatened, delivering a bite that can cause severe bleeding, intense pain, and potentially cardiac arrest within hours if left untreated.

Mojave Rattlesnake is the second most toxic venom In North America. This desert dweller's neurotoxic venom rivals that of cobra! Though smaller than many of its cousins at around four feet in length, this snake possesses venom that's considered the second most potent of all North American rattlesnakes. What makes it particularly dangerous is its venom's delayed effect - victims may initially underestimate the severity of the bite, leading to delayed treatment. The neurotoxic venom can cause vision problems, difficulty breathing, and muscle weakness, potentially leading to respiratory failure if left untreated.

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is the most frequent biter. This aggressive rattler causes more bites than any other American snake! The Western Diamondback has earned its fearsome reputation through a combination of an irritable disposition and frequent human encounters.Growing up to seven feet in length, these snakes possess a complex venom containing multiple toxins that can cause severe bleeding, tissue damage, and organ failure. Unlike some other species that prefer to retreat, Western Diamondbacks often stand their ground when threatened, making them particularly dangerous to humans who accidentally encounter them.

Your best defense against any snake bite is always protective gear such as boots or snake gaiters.

In contrast, in the summer, snakes are more active at night because it is cooler than the daytime.  Snakes become sluggish anywhere below 60 degrees° F, so as long as warmer temps prevail, as it seems to be this year, depending on where you live, we all still need to be diligent and have a watchful eye when outside working or hiking. A steady temperature drop is a signal for the snake to enter brumation (similar to hibernation), but that’s not happening yet in most areas.

No matter the season, your first line of defense is awareness. Most rattlesnakes don’t want to be bothered and will only strike if they feel threatened or are taken by surprise.  Usually they will rattle, and this gives you time to slowly back away. Keep these tips in mind this fall while you take advantage of nice weather:

Don’t automatically think of rattlesnakes as aggressive
Every snake is different. People don’t necessarily think of reptiles as having personalities, but they do, experts say. Some are going to be more shy, and they’re going to be quicker to rattle at you or try to get away, whereas others are going to be more bold. Consider the snake’s perspective: What would be the point of it wasting energy and venom to bite something that they perceive might eat them, when they could use their ability to blend into their environment and hide (and you might accidentally step near or on one)? Generally, rattlesnakes will do their best not to engage with you. But if one is moving toward you, step out of the way quickly! About 8,000 people in the U.S. are bitten each year by venomous snakes. Statistically that means you are 6 times more likely to die from a lightning strike or a dog attack, 8 times more likely to die from a TV set or other large furniture falling on you, 14 times more likely to die falling out of a tree, and 95 times more likely to die falling off a ladder.  But don’t push your luck. Instead, be prepared, be aware and take precautions such as wearing snake boots or snake-proof leg gaiters.

Don’t throw things at a rattlesnake
If you encounter a rattlesnake while hiking, it likely knows you’re there. The reptiles have a heightened sense of touch and feel our vibrations through the ground long before we walk near them. Throwing something at a snake will not succeed in getting it to move but will annoy it. Go as far as you safely can around any snake you find in your path, preferably around its back end to avoid getting bit. If the trail is narrow, you have two options: Turn around and call it a day, or find a  stick at least twice the length of the snake, and use it to lightly nudge it away from your path. The stick length is important because rattlesnakes can strike from about half their body length. Emphasis on lightly. A nice little tap is all that should be needed. Of course a snake could get mad, but often they leave because a predator (you) is nearby. Your goal should be to motivate the snake to move off the trail in a direction away from your and future hikers.

Be mindful where you step
Even though snakes might detect you’re in the area, still let them know you’re around. Lightly stomp your feet before entering a narrow or overgrown section of a trail to alert critters of your presence. Also be mindful when encountering parts of the trail where snakes might be taking shelter. In other words, watch where you step. Brush, rocks, and logs can provide shade to critters, including snakes. Many people have been bitten by surprising a snake by stepping on or near it by accident. Be alert.

Snakes can swim
Hikers and swimmers alike should exercise caution around lakes and streams while in snake county. Rattlesnakes were not common in waterways until recently due to climate change. Despite rattlesnakes being strong swimmers, the chance of being bitten by one while swimming is unlikely unless provoked, but just be aware you might see one.


Rattlesnakes do play a really important part in our ecosystems. People like not having rodents in their homes and rattlesnakes are one of our main ecosystem cleanup machines for things like mice and rats. The next time you see a rattlesnake on the trail, try to approach your next move from a place of respect, not fear. And wear snake gaiters to be on the safer side.