Also known as the American viper, and called canebrake rattlesnake in the Coastal Plain of the Southeast, timber rattlesnakes are heavy-bodied reptiles that are gray with an orange, yellow, brown, or black stripe down their back. An adult viper can grow to be seven feet, and their venom is potent enough to kill a human. A timber rattlesnake bite is considered a critical medical emergency—in other words, you want to stay far away from these wild creatures. Interacting with this venomous species can have dangerous—and potentially life-threatening—consequences.

All species of rattlesnakes are most active between April and October, and become increasingly adventurous in their travels when food and water supplies run low. If there's not a lot of rainfall, there's not a lot of water available for the rattlesnake, or the food that the rattlesnakes are looking for. So that’s a good reason why the rattlesnakes may be moving around more than usual. Officials warn that rattlesnakes may stealthily creep onto your property to take refuge in bushes and other quiet shady spots. If bitten by a timber rattlesnake, you may experience:

• Pain, tingling, or burning
• Swelling, bruising, or discoloration
• Numbness in the face or limbs
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty breathing
• Trouble seeing
• Excess salivation and sweating
• Shock

Often mistaken for a rattlesnake because of their diamond pattern and similar defensive behaviors, the Pacific gopher snake is also known as a bull snake. They’ll even vibrate their tails similarly! While you’ll want to give both snakes their space, you can tell the two apart by the tail. Gopher snakes don’t have black and white bands on their tails, or rattles for that matter. They also have smaller and narrower heads compared to rattlesnakes. Pacific gopher snakes are not venomous. They will puff up and vibrate their tails in a defensive pose but will not strike with bared teeth like a rattlesnake. They keep their mouths closed. They get their name from gophers being their favorite snack. Pacific gopher snakes are a crucial part of any ecosystem because they keep the rodent population in check. They borrow nests from gophers and ground squirrels to have a safe place to lay eggs and an automatic food source.

If you are bitten by ANY snake, seek immediate medical attention. Call 911 or get to the nearest hospital. 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. Don’t try to catch or trap the snake. Try to remember its color and shape so that you can describe it. If possible, take a picture of the snake from a safe distance. Knowing what kind of snake bit you can help with your anti-venom treatment. 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.

Known for its formidable size and unique markings, it is the heaviest venomous snake in the Americas. The average weight is around 10 pounds and is anywhere from 3-6 feet in length and can live up to 15 years in the wild. One of the eastern diamondback’s most distinctive features is its diamond-shaped scale pattern along its back. These dark brown or black diamond shapes are surrounded by lighter brownish, brownish-yellow or even olive scales. At the front of its large triangular shaped head, this snake has vertical elliptical pupils (a defining characteristic of most venomous snakes). At the end of their tail, eastern diamondbacks have a rattle that they shake to warn predators or humans if threatened. The sound is unmistakable.  If you hear a rattle sound, freeze and try to locate the snake. Remaining motionless reduces the threat you pose to the snake, which decreases chances of a strike. Once you assess the situation, establish a safe escape.

Diamondbacks eat small mammals and birds. To do so, they sit-and-wait, waiting in disguise beside logs, large vegetation or palmettos for prey to come along. Rattlesnakes locate prey by scent, as well as by sensing the infrared waves, or heat, given off by a warm-blooded animal. Once a rattlesnake strikes, it releases venom through its fangs, then releases the prey, letting it crawl away to die. The rattlesnake will retrieve its prey.

In general, these snakes avoid predators by using their rattle as a warning system and by staying under cover and camouflaged. Their predators include birds of prey (hawks and eagles), other snakes and mammals. As with all snakes, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake only attacks when it feels threatened. Rattlesnakes can strike to a distance of up to half their body length. A good rule of thumb is to put at least five feet between yourself and the snake. Keep your dog on a 6-foot leash and avoid letting it walk in the grass along trails. Be especially aware of rattlesnakes around dusk, when snakes become active hunting.

How to avoid a rattlesnake bite

• Wear sturdy, high-top leather boots to protect the ankle area, where most bites occur.
• Wear snake gaiters to help protect lower legs.
  
• Stay on trails and watch where you place feet and hands, especially around logs and rocks and tall grass.
• Do not recreate with headphones or earbuds because you might not hear a warning rattle sound.    
• Do not try to catch, kill, provoke or move a rattlesnake.

The venom of the eastern diamondback rattlesnake is highly potent and can be fatal if not treated promptly. Untreated eastern diamondback rattlesnake bites have a fatality rate of 10 to 20 percent. About 25% of rattlesnake bites are "dry bites," meaning no venom was injected. But don't count on that!    

What to do if bitten by a rattlesnake    

• Seek medical attention as quickly as possible, any way possible, if bitten.
• Stay calm.
• If hiking alone and help will take hours to reach you, it is a better option to slowly hike to the nearest trailhead or where you have cell reception and call 911. Report your location, when you were bitten and list of symptoms.
• Remove jewelry and tight clothing before you start to swell.
• If possible, clean the wound with soap and water. Cover it with a clean, dry dressing but don't put any pressure on the wound site.
• Symptoms of a venomous snakebite can include puncture marks, redness, swelling, bruising, bleeding or blistering around the bite, severe pain and tenderness at the site of the bite, nausea and vomiting, labored breathing, rapid heart rate, weak pulse, low blood pressure, and disturbed vision.
• For pets, contact your veterinarian or veterinary emergency hospital as quickly as possible.

The state of Alabama is known for many things, such as college football, beautiful beaches, and southern hospitality, but it is also home to some not-so-friendly snakes.  Here’s a list to avoid— you don’t want to end up on the wrong side of these venomous creatures:

Cottonmouth (water moccasin). The cottonmouth, also known as the water moccasin, is the only venomous water snake in North America. This snake can be identified by its triangular head. In addition, its name comes from the white color on the inside of its mouth. These snakes can be found along streams, in hedges, or hiding in overgrown grass.  

Copperhead. Copperheads are heavy-bodied snakes with large, triangular heads and elliptical pupils (cat eyes). The body is tan to brown with darker hourglass-shaped crossbands down the length of the body.  The head is solid brown, and there are two tiny dots in the center of the top of the head. Juveniles resemble adults but have a bright yellow tail tip. As pit-vipers they have facial pits that sense heat and are used to detect prey and predators. Male copperheads are larger than females.

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake. This snake is considered to be the largest rattlesnake in the world and can grow to be as long as 8 feet. While this snake used to be very common in Alabama, it has become less common but is still an inhabitant of the state. This snake will not attack unless it feels threatened.

Timber Rattlesnake. This very common Alabama snake can be found in lowland areas like pine flatwoods or hardwood forests. The color of this snake varies, but they can be identified by their broad head and narrow body. These snakes are usually calm and don't normally attack unless they are provoked. However, if this snake does decide to attack, you will likely hear its rattling tail as a warning.

Pygmy Rattlesnake. This miniature rattlesnake is considered to be the smallest venomous rattlesnake. They can range from lengths of 15 inches to 24 inches when fully mature. While this rattlesnake is not super common in Alabama, it is a species you could encounter. Due to their size, this snake's rattle is very hard to hear and will most likely sound like an insect buzzing. This snake kind of snake prefers to wait for prey and can stay in a coiled position for up to three weeks.

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake. An extremely large, heavy-bodied snake, capable of attaining a length of about 8 feet. The burrow of the tail is short and stout with a rattle or button at the end.


The venom from these snake is highly toxic, and those bitten may experience symptoms such as facial numbness, nausea, fever, vomiting, sweating, blurry vision and difficulty breathing. Always seek immediate medical attention! Of course you don’t want to get bitten in the first place, so when hiking or working outdoors, help protect yourself by wearing snake proof gaiters and boots.

Although these are scary stories, don’t avoid enjoying the great outdoors this summer. Instead, continue with fun activities, but keep an eye out because you never know when a venomous snake might cross your path, even in your own backyard. Although rattlesnakes can be seen year-around throughout the region, sightings are most common from April to September. A lot of snakes love rock piles because rock piles are a great refuge for them there. They’re sturdy, they’re fortified, they're impenetrable. The snakes can get under the rocks and escape or hide if they need to. But you never know when they can come up. They can be anywhere, they can hide in the grass, they can hide in the bushes,  under your porch. You have really no idea, so just be aware of your surroundings and wear snake proof gaiters or boots to help protect lower legs.

Rattlesnake toxin varies within rattlesnake populations, by season, by individual rattlesnake genetics and by other factors. Most times it takes only a matter of seconds before symptoms become visible such as pain and swelling. If bitten by a rattlesnake, call 911 immediately or go to a hospital. Treat a bite as a serious medical emergency! Urgent cares do not have anti-venom, but they can help stabilize a patient and arrange for transport to a nearby hospital. There are two antivenom medications currently available. The type of antivenom received depends on hospital availability. There is no data currently available suggesting one antivenom treatment is more effective than the other.  If you happen to be bitten by a rattlesnake, remove any items that can constrict swelling, such as watches rings and shoes, and go to the nearest medical facility.  Applying tourniquets, packing the wound with ice, old school snake bite kits, and sucking out the venom these are all myths that should be ignored.

If being vigilant about snakes isn’t enough, scientists have issued a warning to residents of Texas, Arizona, and other southwest states that deadly black widow spiders are expected to return this summer. Female spiders have a potent neurotoxin which is 15 times more powerful than a rattlesnake bite, and has the potential to be fatal. Black widows can be recognized by their deep black color and red stripe on their abdomen.

Rattlesnakes typically avoid human contact, with most rattlesnake strikes occurring with disturbance of the snake. That means the  number one thing you need to do if you ever see a rattlesnake is to avoid it at all costs. .It doesn’t benefit you to get up close, so just let the snake do its thing— far away from you!

As we all head back outside, the chances of encountering a snake on the hiking trail or even on your property tend to go up. Most bites occur between the months of April and October when snakes and humans are most active outdoors. The Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) urges the public to stay aware of their surroundings while outdoors—especially anywhere that's a likely snake habitat—and to keep their distance from any snakes they spot. Wearing snake gaiters that wrap around your lower leg is a good precaution. According to DFW, it’s legal to kill a rattlesnake but they encourage people to leave them alone as they are an important part of the environment. And while it might seem easy to villainize the reptiles, it's just as important to remember how vital they are to the ecosystem—and that we're sharing their habitat. Rattlesnakes are generally not aggressive, but they will strike when they are threatened or deliberately provoked. About 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the United States each year, and now officials have issued a new alert warning the public after a sudden surge in snake bites this spring.

In addition to spotting a rattlesnake in the desert or woods, pit vipers are often found around old barns and other buildings because these structures normally have an abundance of mice and other rodents, which are the primary food source for rattlers. These old buildings also offer dark, damp areas where the rattlesnakes like to hide. If you’re working on a construction project, don’t stick your hand under the floorboards or in an old lumber pile. Be cautious when stacking wood and clearing brush.

The western rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus) is one of the most common venomous snakes you might encounter. A type of pit viper, these snakes have long been feared for their potent venom. While they usually rattle their tails as a menacing warning, these snakes actually aren’t that big—only about as long as a yardstick. The western rattlesnake uses its facial pits to detect heat and locate prey. Small mammals like rodents and rabbits are this snake’s favorite foods. They also eat birds, eggs, lizards, and amphibians. Western rattlesnakes have natural predators like kingsnakes, bobcats, coyotes, and birds of prey that are resistant to their venom. Like garter snakes, rattlesnakes give live birth instead of laying eggs. You aren’t likely to encounter massive dens of western rattlesnakes because they don’t breed in huge numbers. Your biggest risk in encountering a western rattlesnake is accidentally stepping on one, then it bites you in retaliation. “Humans are not considered food to a rattlesnake so they really don’t want to strike you,” explains a DFW staff member. “They just don’t want do be stepped on.”

Despite your best efforts at being careful and aware, if you happen to get bitten, seek medical attention immediately. About 25% of rattlesnake bites are “dry,” meaning no venom is injected, but the bites still require medical treatment.  An adult snake won’t release venom if they know that they won’t be eating the victim, so sometimes they dry bite. However, young rattlers unleash all their venom because they don’t know any better yet. "No putting ice on the site, no using a tourniquet, no using medication and alcohol," says a medical professional. "No sucking it out like in the old Western movies we used to see." Call 911 or get to the nearest hospital fast! Until the bite is treated, immobilize the affected area and keep it below the heart, if possible. Remove any jewelry, such as a watch or ring, that could constrict swelling. Dogs bitten by rattlesnakes will need emergency veterinary care.

What do I do if I find a rattlesnake in my house?
Finding a rattlesnake in your house is scary. It's important to stay calm and take appropriate steps to ensure your safety. Here's what to do if you find a rattlesnake in your house:
    •    Keep your distance: Back away slowly and maintain a safe distance from the snake. Give it plenty of space to move without feeling threatened.
    •    Secure pets and children: Ensure that pets and children are safely away from the snake. Keep them under close supervision.
    •    Do not attempt to capture or kill: Engaging with the snake could lead to a bite.
    •    Contact a professional: Do not attempt to handle the situation on your own. Call a professional snake removal service, pest control company or your local animal control agency.
    •    Keep an eye on the snake: While waiting for the professionals to arrive, keep an eye on the snake's location from a safe distance. This will help ensure that it doesn't move away and become difficult to locate.
    •    
What attracts rattlesnakes to your house?
Here are common things that attract rattlesnakes to your house:
    •    Food sources: In the United States, rattlesnakes are one of the only animals that helps control rodent population. Rattlesnakes feed on small mammals, birds and reptiles. If your property provides habitat for mice, rats and other small animals, rattlesnakes may be attracted.
    •    Shelter: Rattlesnakes seek shelter from harsh weather conditions. Your house, shed, garage or other structures on your property can provide suitable hiding places and protection from the elements.
    •    Vegetation: Tall grass, dense shrubs and other vegetation create cover for rattlesnakes and their prey.
    •    Rock piles and debris: Piles of rocks, firewood, debris or clutter in your yard can create hiding places for rattlesnakes.

Rattlesnakes usually avoid humans, but about 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the United States each year, with 10 to 15 deaths, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. When working around brush or wood piles in your yard, or while hiking in the desert or woods, help protect yourself with snake gaiters.

Snake venom is a complex cocktail of toxins, amino acids and proteins that evolved primarily to immobilize and kill prey, but it also prepares tissues for digestion. In humans, venom causes severe swelling and instability of blood pressure, neuromuscular weakness and paralysis, hemorrhaging, and the death of skeletal muscle, leading to permanent tissue loss and amputations. The World Health Organization estimates that 138,000 people are killed by venomous snakes annually, and most of them die before they can reach emergency medical care. These deaths get little publicity because they occur most often in impoverished, backwater areas of Southeast Asia, Australia, Africa, India, and Central America. The vast majority of victims who are being killed or maimed by snake bites are village farmers and children working out in the fields without shoes where there is no easy way to treat snakebite in the field.

In the United States, typical standard-of-care antivenoms following bites by  rattlesnakes, copperheads, water moccasins and coral snakes are extremely expensive, require refrigeration and must be administered intravenously in a hospital setting. They are also species-specific, meaning selecting proper antivenom requires knowing which type of snake bit you. As a result, survivors of rattlesnake bites get a second painful surprise when presented with hospital bills totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Dr. Lewin has been working for a decade to develop an easy-to-use solution to potentially deadly snakebite with a drug called Varespladib. What makes Varespladib promising is that it blocks phospholipase-A2, a highly toxic protein that is present in 95% of all snake venoms and plays a direct role in life-threatening tissue destruction, catastrophic bleeding, paralysis and respiratory failure. Proponents say the small synthetic molecule has the potential to stop or reverse neurological damage, as well as restore normal blood-clotting ability when administered immediately after envenoming.

Drug trials are being conducted by Ophirex Inc. — a public benefit corporation that Lewin co-founded. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Varespladib a “fast track” designation in 2022 to expedite development and review of its safety and effectiveness, as well as Ophirex’s proposals for manufacturing and distributing the drug. The Department of Defense has also invested about $24 million into the effort, saying the drug could provide an important capability to teams of special forces deployed in austere conditions where snakebites are a significant threat to life and limb. There is also a psychological benefit to having something in your pocket that is life-saving.

Getting any new drug from the laboratory to the market is an expensive, intricate process that can sometimes take many years. Ophirex is completing a Phase II clinical trial in the United States and India to determine the tolerability and potential side effects of multi-dose regimens of the drug in about 100 suspected or confirmed snakebite victims. A federal analysis of the results is expected sometime next year and will ultimately determine whether Ophirex has a blockbuster snakebite drug treatment with military and global market opportunities.

Some day soon we hope everybody working or recreating in snake country can carry a few new pills in their first aid kits and backpacks. No matter how many signs that are posted: “CAUTION: Entering Rattlesnake Country. Be alert when walking” there is always the accidental potential to step on a rattlesnake, especially for those working in the timber or oil industries.  And even if/when the new pill is available, you'll always want to avoid getting bit by any snake in the first place, so continue to wear snake gaiters and be aware of your surroundings.

SOURCE:  Marin Independent Journal

Everything dealing with the roundup is located inside and around the Nolan County Coliseum located at 220 Coliseum Drive in Sweetwaterwater.

Few sounds will make a Texan 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 8-10, 2024 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 the first half of the 1900s, rattlesnake roundups have brought a sense of adventure and excitement to rural communities, and this year is no different.

Snakes may burrow underneath a pile of leaf litter or a rotting log or tree, or find a spot in a south-facing rocky crevice. They may also find large cavities in the soil underneath tree stumps. But it's not impossible to see one outside of its den after the first snowfall, or on sunny days in late winter or early spring. Snakes in temperate regions of the country are particularly vulnerable to cold temperatures. This is because the reptiles are cold-blooded, or ectothermic, meaning that the temperature of their blood changes as the temperature of their environment changes. It's why snakes spend enormous amounts of time basking in the sun.

Knowing that, it's important to watch your step if you're traversing the foothills or dry brush in the winter months. If you do stumble across a den of rattlers, back up and get the heck out of there! If a rattler is forced out of their hibernation spot because of a disturbance or desperation for food, you can bet they'll be more likely to be aggressive. Some times an adult snake won’t release venom if they know that they won’t be eating the victim, so they dry bite. Young ones unleash all their venom because they don’t know any better yet. And since you’ll never know if a rattler you encounter has just had a snack or not, don’t take a chance — always strap on your snake gaiters when you’re in and around known snake habitats!

Because it's uncommon for snakes to be active once temps dip below 55°F, rattler encounters are rare, but not unheard of, during winters in northern states. As always, wear snake bite protection and give them their space.

Although not yet well known in all states, First Day Hikes originated over 30 years ago at the Blue Hills Reservation in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, outside of Boston. The program was launched to promote both healthy lifestyles and year round recreation at state parks.

From coast to coast, park staff and volunteers will lead family-friendly hikes that average one to two miles or longer depending on the state park. Getting everyone outside and unplugged, especially kids, is a fun way to begin 2024. Details about hike locations, difficulty, length, terrain and more are listed on the America’s State Parks website.

Whether you’re staying close to home or are on the road this season, the First Day Hikes program is a great opportunity for the whole family to resolve to start a healthier lifestyle. Take in a scenic view from atop a hill, traverse around a lake or pond, breath in fresh air. Surround yourself with the quiet beauty of nature in the winter season, and benefit from the company of a knowledgeable state park guide. Dress warmly in snow gaiters and have a happy, healthy New Year!