Rattlesnake Season 2025

With spring in full swing, people are coming out and enjoying the nice weather after a long winter.  Spring and fall are prime time for rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths and other pit vipers because the weather is conducive for them, not too hot or cold. In the summertime, people do not typically encounter snakes in the middle of the day like they might in the spring and fall.  At this time of year, snakes tend to move around a lot as they search for warmth, this is one reason there are more sightings and accidental bites— they are found closer to the trail and pavement. 

Venomous snakes are found in most states, so be aware of your surroundings when in the desert or woods when you are in known snake country.  If you live in Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, or Rhode Island, you should not expect to see any rattlesnakes.  In comparison, Arizona, is the state with the most species of rattlesnakes, followed by California, Texas, New Mexico, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

​Keep in mind that snakes are not hunting people, they're only reacting defensively to humans in their space. Stay on the designated trail while exploring the outdoors. Rattlesnakes typically want to avoid human interaction, so staying on a trail minimizes the risk of exposure.  When taking four-legged friends along hiking, keep them on a leash. Typically, bites on dogs occur on the nose, most likely from sniffing around in bushes where snakes can be hiding.

In general, rattlesnakes are usually found around rocks, shrubs, tall grasses, and brush. Watch the trail ahead of you, and check before stepping over rocks, sitting down, reaching into dense brush or crevices, and while collecting firewood. And if you hear a rattle, try to locate where it's coming from and move away accordingly. This way you'll hopefully avoid rattlesnakes altogether, as they only bite defensively if they feel threatened.  The rattle, a series of hollow interlocked segments at the tip of the tail, is used to warn potential predators or to distract prey. While most rattlesnakes are known for their rattles, not all rattlesnakes have rattles, and some species may have lost theirs entirely or are in the process of doing so. Some rattlesnake species, like the Santa Catalina Rattlesnake, have lost their rattles possibly because they don't need them in their environment or to aid in hunting. The loss of rattles could be due to various factors, including the snake's environment, prey type, or even the presence of other predators.

Most rattlesnake bites happen to the hands, feet, and ankles. Consider wearing snake gaiters to help protect between your knees and ankles, along with long pants and good quality hiking boots. Thick leather gloves are a must if moving around brush and clearing weeds. If you do encounter a rattlesnake, stay calm and give it plenty of space. Back up and give the snake at least 10 feet of berth – or more, if possible. Rattlesnakes can strike up to one third to one half of their overall length.

Some snake bites are a "dry bite" which means that little, if any, venom entered the bite, but there is no way to know how much venom is in any given bite, so it is always wise for victims to immediately call 911 and take an ambulance to the hospital as opposed to driving there. After being bitten, the venom of a rattlesnake can cause severe hypotension which means low blood pressure and tachycardia. The average time between a bite and when a patient first sees a doctor is about two hours, depending on how far away you are from a medical facility. Two of the larger species – the timber rattlesnake and the Eastern diamondback – are responsible for the most significant symptoms, including respiratory distress and shock.

Hiking tips in rattlesnake country:

• Take a phone and let people know where you will be — don’t hike remote areas alone.
• Wear long pants with snake gaiters or boots, or thick shoes that snake fangs cannot penetrate.
• South-facing areas are places where snake encounters are more likely.
• Don’t handle or touch snakes in any way, even if it appears to be dead.
• If you encounter a snake, calmly back up and walk around it if you have a large enough distance to do so.
• Step on top of rocks or logs to get a clear view of the other side before stepping down.
• Teach children at an early age to respect snakes and stay away. Keep dogs on a leash.

If you are bitten by a rattlesnake:

• Stay calm. The faster your blood is pumping, the faster it’ll move through your system, so do everything you can to keep your heart rate as low as possible.
• Call 911 or seek medical attention at a hospital emergency department immediately; it is important to receive anti-venom as soon as possible.
• If there is any jewelry near the bite, make sure to remove it before swelling begins.

• Don’t apply ice or a tourniquet to the bite or immerse it in a bucket of ice.
• Don’t cut the bite site or try to suck out the venom.
• Don’t try to capture the snake to bring to the hospital. ​