Rattlesnakes are found in almost every part of North America and the United States, but are especially common in the Southwest, such as Arizona, California and New Mexico.
If you’ve been out hiking, biking or just enjoying the great outdoors, you may have seen one sunbathing on a rock or near a trail path. Or you could have been blissfully unaware because rattlesnakes blend in so well with their surroundings.
It’s rare that rattlesnakes cause serious injury, but one still doesn’t want to risk getting bitten. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s estimated that anywhere from 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the U.S. each year, and about 5 of those people die. Most of these rattlesnake bites occur from March through October.
“Snakebites are rare but can cause serious injury to people,” said Bryan Kuhn, PharmD, a pharmacist and poison education specialist at Banner - University Medical Center Phoenix. “The number of deaths would be much higher, but more people know to go and seek treatment.”
Five things to know about rattlesnakes
Whether you’ll be traversing the desert or doing yardwork in your desert oasis, here are five things to know about rattlesnakes to ensure you stay safe.
1. Rattlesnakes aren’t out to get humans
Despite what you might think or have heard, these slithering beasts aren’t generally aggressive or out to get you. Honestly, you aren’t their type. Rattlesnakes are cold-blooded but they aren’t cold-blooded killers of humans. They much more prefer other small mammals and prefer not to mess with you.
“Rattlesnakes are ambush predators, meaning they lie in wait and don’t chase after prey,” Dr. Kuhn said. “They rely on staying hidden to get close to their prey before they strike—roughly no more than half the length of their body.”
When a rattlesnake sees a human, its first instinct is to flee, unlike bees and scorpions. If it can’t escape, it will coil up and make itself known, so you can hopefully avoid being bitten.
2. Baby rattlesnakes aren’t any more or less dangerous
There are some myths that juvenile, or baby, rattlesnakes are less able to control how much venom they release, and their venom is more dangerous, but Dr. Kuhn said these aren’t true.
“According to lab research, it appears juvenile rattlesnakes can regulate the amount of venom they produce, and they have a smaller volume of venom than larger snakes,” he said. “The severity is determined by the type of snake that bit you, the circumstances of your bite and your unique biology/medical history.”
Adult rattlesnakes are more likely to cause worse envenomation (exposure to venom as a result of a bite), but baby rattlesnakes still are no joke. So, if you get bitten, don’t try to figure out the age of a rattlesnake - just get proper medical treatment.
“Snakes shed skin constantly, and every time a rattle is added,” Dr. Kuhn said. “Baby snakes grow quickly so it’s definitely not worth trying to figure out what age the snake was that bit you.”
3. You may not always hear a rattle before a strike
Rattlesnakes use special high-performance muscles to shake their tails, sending waves down the length of the rattle creating a clicking noise. It’s a highly effective warning sign, but you may not always hear it.
Some believe the reason for this is evolution, “but there is no truth to this,” Dr. Kuhn said.
Others say it’s because baby rattlesnakes don’t have a functioning rattle, but a juvenile may develop several rattles in just the first year. If a snake has five rattles, the only thing you can say with certainty is that it shed its skin at least five times. Rattlesnakes can also lose rattles after attacks by predators or from damage moving through certain terrain.
“Rattlesnakes rattle when necessary but seeing a silent one isn’t out of the ordinary,” Dr. Kuhn said.
4. Know how to spot a rattlesnake
Rattlesnakes have elliptical eyes and well-defined pits under their nostrils to help them sense heat and hunt prey. While markings can vary from species to species, most rattlesnakes have a diamond-shaped pattern on their backs. The color of rattlesnakes can vary. Some rattlesnakes are sandy-colored, and others resemble leaves.
Rattlesnakes like to make dens in rocky crevices, but you can find them really anywhere. They can hide underneath patios, brush or wood piles.
“Rattlesnakes do like to chill out in the wintertime, but they don’t hibernate,” Dr. Kuhn said. “If it gets warm enough, they’ll become more obvious.”
5. You’ll know if you’ve been bitten
Is it possible to get bitten and not know it? “You’ll definitely know,” Dr. Kuhn said.
“Rattlesnake fangs are quite long and can penetrate the skin deeply,” he said. “Those puncture wounds are going to be painful. Even if the snake’s fangs graze your skin, you’ll have some physical evidence.”
Bite symptoms may include:
- Immediate pain or burning at the site
- Visible fang marks
- Metallic or rubbery taste
- Significant swelling that starts around the site
- Chills, nausea and vomiting
- Tissue damage and blood thinning
Even if you aren’t experiencing immediate symptoms, call 911. If you suffer what is called a dry bite (a bite without venom), you’ll likely just have swelling and redness, but it’s best to still get checked out.
The ultimate treatment for a snake bite is antivenom, and getting it as soon as possible is important.
“In most cases, you’ll need to stay in the hospital for at least 18-24 hours, so you can be monitored,” Dr. Kuhn said. “If you were bitten on the upper part of your body and aren’t experiencing venom-related effects, you may be discharged after six to eight hours.”
Here are some do and don’ts to keep in mind if bitten:
Do … remain calm and ensure that wherever you are you are safe
Do … proceed immediately to the nearest emergency department for treatment
Do … relax and move as little as possible, keeping your limb elevated
Do … remove tight clothing, shoes or jewelry from bitten limb
Don’t … panic
Don’t … apply ice or immerse in bucket of ice
Don’t … tourniquet or use a constricting band or cloth
Don’t … cut site or suck out venom
Don’t … mark the area with a pen or marker; this will be done by medical professionals
Don’t … capture or try to kill the snake
Can you prevent a snake bite from happening?
If you’ll be going in snake territory, here are some things you can do to lower the chances for getting bitten:
- Wear shoes when on hiking trails.
- Stay on the trails and avoid venturing into the underbrush.
- Watch what you touch with your hands. Don’t reach into spaces and holes or underneath objects without first being sure nothing is hiding underneath.
- If you come across a snake, slowly back away from it. Leave it alone. Don’t try to pick it up.
Bottom line
Rattlesnakes are cold-blooded creatures but aren’t cold-blooded killers—well, at least not where humans are concerned. If you are unfortunately bitten by a rattlesnake, act quickly, call 911 and get to the nearest emergency department.
