It's only mid February, but high temperatures in many southwestern states, such as Arizona, are seeing an early spring warming trend, so now is a good time to remind everyone to beware of rattlesnakes!  When snakes sense a little bit of heat and humidity, they come out of hibernation, so now is the time they are becoming active again. Of course, no one sets out to encounter a snake, so the very best piece of advice is to be aware of your surroundings during rattlesnake season  so you won't become a statistic. Two poison centers in Arizona alone treat an average 250-300 snake bite victims every year. The American Association of Poison Control Centers reported more than 750 rattlesnake bites in 2014 with 3 resulting in deaths. And that's just some of the stats. Minimize your chances of snake bite by following these tips:

• Wear closed-toe shoes. Sounds simple enough, but you'd be surprised at the number of sandal and flip-flop wearers on the trails. Above the ankle hiking boots and socks are even better - a lot of snake bites occur in the ankle area. Snake gaiters that cover from your ankle to your knee are your very best form of snake bite protection. And when hiking, don't just look straight down. Look ahead and to the side before you step. Although reptiles are most active during the months of April through October, during the hottest months they're most active at night. If it's dusk or dark outside, use a flashlight or headlamp to illuminate your path so you don't accidentally step on a snake.
• If you can't see it, don't stick your hand in it.  This just doesn't apply to reaching under wood piles or into rock crevices, it also applies to golf. Don't stick your hand in a bush or a shrub for a wayward golf ball, as these areas are the perfect places for snakes to hang out. You don't want to startle one. Same theory applies if you're hiking or rock climbing or gardening. And remember, rattlesnakes can swim so look twice if you see a floating "stick" in the water!
• Don't underestimate a baby rattlesnake.  There is no such thing as a cute rattlesnake. Baby rattlesnake venom is just as deadly as older snakes, and due to their smaller size, they can be harder to see and thus avoid. Younger rattlesnakes are born without a traditional rattle, so you can't always rely on the noise as a warning. Since rodents are a primary source of food for rattlesnakes, be sure to get rid of any rodents in your yard. Be careful with bird feeders too because those can attract rodents and snakes will be drawn to the smell of birds and rodents. Don't give those baby rattlers fuel for growing up!
• Practice proper trail etiquette.  Experienced hikers know that there is an internationally accepted "triangle" of trail etiquette: Mountain bikers yield to runners, hikers and horses. Runners and hikers yield to horses. Horses are not required to yield to any group. But everyone and everything yields to snakes!  Give them a wide berth if you spot one on the trail or even sunning itself on a rock. Don't try to kill or immobilize a snake. Save your pepper spray, too, because that won't work— just back away slowly and avoid a confrontation. If you are close enough to make a direct hit with the pepper spray, you’re close enough to get bit. Not a good place to be. And why aggravate a snake by spraying it anyway? Snakes don’t have eyelids, but they do have a transparent shield that protects their eyes, so the spray won’t really blind them. And while mammals are sensitive to the stuff in pepper spray, reptiles aren’t.
• Do not handle snakes even if you think they are dead.  Believe it or not, some rattlesnakes can still strike and inject you with venom when they're dead. This is true even if the snake's head is cut off. Don't take a selfie or reach your hand out to touch it!

Snakes are always around, and with nicer weather, snakes and humans are becoming more active in the same environments so the potential for encounters increase. Unfortunately this can mean getting bitten while gardening, pulling weeds around your yard, walking to the mailbox, or hiking with your dog. There's a perception that most people are bit when they've been playing with or bothering a snake, but mostly it's accidental— being in the wrong place at the wrong time with a snake.

Because the number of snake-bite reports increase as temperatures creep up, now is a good time of year to be reminded that being aware of your surroundings is the best thing you can do to stay safe in snake country. And if you frequently have a canine companion or two with you, consider a  dog vest that protects them not only from snake bite, but from painful cactus needles, briars, and more.

Although you should be aware of the potential for a rattlesnake bite, don't be so worried you don't venture outdoors. Most people don't die as a result of a snake bite, as long as they get medical attention fast. The best thing you can do if bitten is to immobilize the wound and get to the hospital immediately. Most patients are out of the hospital in two days and then spend the next few weeks getting follow-up treatments. A typical person takes about a month to get "back to normal."  Being bitten can cause severe injury and long-term complications, but being alert to the dangers of snakes and using snake bite protection can help you avoid them in the first place, and stay safe while in their territory. 

Snakes are seen just about everywhere from spring through October, and then they are presumed to hibernate. But that's not always true. 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.

Snakes do not actually hibernate, rather they become less active during cold weather. It is called "brumation."  Brumation is an extreme slowing down of their metabolism. Snakes are awake, but just very lethargic so you don't see them moving around. In the fall, snakes move back to the previous year’s den. If a sudden cold snap catches them before they get there, they may die if not fortunate enough to  find a suitable secondary den. They usually do not stay long at the den entrance, but hurry in for the long winter sleep. A number of species may share the same den. For example, black rat snakes, timber rattlesnakes and copperheads commonly den together. Sometimes there will be as many as 100 snakes in one cave. A group site is called a hibernaculum.

Cold-blooded animals like snakes, fish, frogs, and turtles need to spend the winter inactive, or dormant,  because they have no way to keep warm. Snakes will crawl into any area free from frost such as caves, hollow logs, holes under trees and stumps, under wood piles, in other animal's burrows, and occasionally in a person's basement.

Snakes will increase their intake of food before brumation occurs, if they can.  Not all snakes will survive brumation. A skinny snake will not survive. If the snake feeds heavily before they hibernate, and have digested their meal before the cooling starts, they will be OK.  If food is in their stomach or intestines when they cool, it will rot and kill them. Vipers can also brumate during normal conditions, due to a loss of food, but normally when they become dormant it corresponds with extreme temperature changes.

On warmer days in late fall, early spring, or even during winters, brumating snakes sometimes come out of their dens to bask in the sunshine. Nice sunny days that follow a long cold snap are often when people are surprised by rattlers. Just like humans, snakes head out to enjoy the sun and unsuspecting hikers can startle them and cause them to strike. Generally, rattlesnakes emerge from hibernation in March or April, or when the average daytime temperatures reach and remain about 60 degrees Fahrenheit and higher.

During a typical year, an estimated 45,000 people are bitten by snakes in the United States.  That number is reason enough to always wear snake boots or snake gaiters when in the desert or the woods. If you do, you won't have to worry so much about the temperature or the season —  use common sense to keep yourself safe. Hunters should be especially vigilant and wear snake protection!

Stay safe in those snake infested areas at work and play. Browse snake gaiters here.

There is some concern that the drought in California has led to an increase in rattlesnake bites across the state. Along with many  other animals, rattlesnakes are venturing into new-found territory in search of water sources. Earlier this summer, an experienced hiker was bit by a rattlesnake at Nevada Fall. The story was posted today on Facebook with a link to the Yosemite National Park website. Below is an excerpt:

No one knows for sure how many people are actually treated for venomous snakebite annually, but according to a Parks and Wildlife Department herpetologist, each state usually reports of one or two deaths per year. For those bitten who survive, treatment for rattlesnake bites reportedly runs anywhere from about $20,000 at the minimum up into the six-figure range. Anti-venom and treatment is very expensive! Young children out exploring and intoxicated young men make up a good chunk of the bite victims. Hikers and hunters also get bitten, as do those who work in and around snake habitat, especially when moving logs and rock piles.

To keep you and your family safe, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and to know which venomous snakes you might encounter where you live, work, and play. Texas has the most snake bites annually in the country, usually between 500 and 1,000. One-third to a half of those bites are venomous. Experts in the Lone Star State say you only need to worry about four species: western diamondback rattlesnake, copperhead, coral snake, and cottonmouth (also called water moccasin). Size does not matter because they are venomous at birth.

Coral snakes spend most of their time under leaves and logs and few people ever see them. They really aren’t a threat unless they are handled. Cottonmouths have black and white chins, float on top of the water and are not all that common. The copperhead is the only snake in Texas that is a two-color banded snake. The majority of venomous snakes sighted in residential yards are the diamondback. This rattlesnake sheds within 10 days of being born and then scatters. Babies end up in some strange places, like back steps and garages, looking for mice and lizards to eat, so you’re most likely to see this snake around homes and sheds. Adult diamondbacks want to stay away from activities and people. The most common snakes people encounter that are not poisonous are rat snakes—the only large snake that climbs.

Texas, of course, isn’t the only state with vipers. Oklahoma is home to five species of rattlesnakes. Three venomous species call Pennsylvania home— the northern copperhead, timber rattlesnake, and eastern massasauga rattlesnake. In California, where more than 800 humans are bitten each year, there are at least six types of rattlesnakes to be concerned about. Arizona has 13 species of rattlesnakes, and Nevada has six. Alaska is the only state that has never reported a venomous snake. For a list by state, visit http://www.venombyte.com/venom/snakes/venomous_snakes_by_state.asp

The best suggestions for avoiding snake bite is common sense and prevention. Don’t walk through tall grass. Places like flooded pastures create great breeding sites for frogs and feeding sites for frog hunters like snakes. Walk around rock piles and logs instead of stepping over them. If you see a snake, leave it alone. Remember that snakes are just as active in the fall as they are in the spring, so hunters should be extra cautious. No matter which state you live in, it makes sense to think about snake bite protection in advance of being outdoors — simply wear snake gaiters or snake boots.  If you are bitten, below are a few do's and dont's suggested by medical professionals:

What to Do if You Are Bitten by a Snake

• Call 911 immediately.
• Stay as calm as possible.
• Get away from the snake but stay as immobile as possible until help has arrived.
• Remove clothing or accessories that may restrict your blood flow and cause swelling.

What Not to Do if You Are Bitten by a Snake

• Don’t try to capture the snake – this is unnecessary and can lead to a more dangerous situation.
• Don’t create an incision or suction the wound.
• Don’t administer any drugs to the victim.
• Don’t apply a tourniquet (restrictive device used to constrict the flow of blood to a body part).
• Don’t apply ice to the snakebite.
• Don’t wait to see if symptoms occur – seek professional medical help immediately!

Some experts say that snake bites are on the rise in some regions such as San Diego and Southern California, due to drought conditions. Scarce water levels means low moisture content in plants, which in turn attracts fewer rodents, squirrels and rabbits — meaning less prey for snakes— so the vipers are on the move. Wildfires don't help the situation because habitat is disturbed, driving rattlesnakes farther into areas where there are more people. In addition to humans, more dogs have been bitten this spring, leading to more veterinarians giving snakebite vaccines to man’s best friend. And some reports indicate snake venom appears to be getting more toxic. This is worrisome to emergency room doctors who say it seems like vipers are packing a more deadly dose of venom than ever before.

Other experts believe snakes are not affected by drought because they’ve evolved in areas where droughts are frequent. Their explanation for the increase in bites is because rattlesnakes are more active as daylight hours lengthen. The sun signals their pituitary glands to wake up, get food and find a mate. One park service employee said, "It is like real estate: location, location, location. More people are out on forest trails in spring in summer as schools let out, which leads to more encounters with snakes."

Whatever the reasons, biologists and doctors said agencies need to post more signs explaining how to prevent snakebites. Too many people wear shorts and flip-flops instead of long pants and snake gaiters with boots or sturdy shoes. Also, going off trail and being unable to hear a snake’s rattle because someone’s wearing earbuds with music blaring adds to the possibility of getting bitten. There's a good chance you've been close to a snake while hiking and never knew it. A snake's camouflage allows it to blend into its surroundings. The can be tough to see, so stay alert.

If you encounter a rattlesnake, the way you act will likely determine the experience you have. Like most animals, rattlesnakes fear humans. Give snakes space,  watch where you step, and watch where you place your hands when you sit down. Never hike alone, always carry a cellphone, and tell family members where you’re going ahead of time. If bitten, call 9-1-1. Stay calm. Don’t use tourniquets or try to suck out the venom. Get to a hospital as soon as possible. Although 25 percent to 50 percent of rattlesnake bites are dry bites (no venom), you won't know that when you are struck. Treatment for a rattlesnake bite can require up to four of five days in a hospital.

If you encounter a rattlesnake while hiking, it is recommended that you do the following:

• Remain calm. Do not panic.
• Stay at least five feet from the snake. Give the rattlesnake plenty of space.
• Do not try to kill the snake. Doing so is illegal in some states (Utah is a good example) and greatly increases the chance the snake will bite you. Most venomous bites happen when untrained people try to kill or harass a snake. Usually the snake is simply moving through the area, sunning itself or looking for a place to hide. If you leave the snake alone, it will leave you alone.
• Alert other people to a snake's location. Advise them to use caution and to respect the snake. Keep children and pets away.

It is a myth that smaller rattlesnakes give more venom than adult snakes, but no matter the age or size, rattlesnakes are the most dangerous snakes in the world because they actually inject venom into you.  Other species may bite and it is a grinding bite. Rattlesnakes, however, have hollow teeth with venom glands that act like a plunger in a hypodermic needle. With months of hot weather ahead, the number of snake bite victims easily could rise, especially in areas with droughts and wildfires. These conditions send the vipers scattering for food, which could increase the likelihood of encounters with humans. The best advice is to be prepared. Wear snake bite protection.

Most rattlesnakes are out of their dens by mid-May, roaming the wild and occasionally alarming humans. The fear of snakes ranks near the top of most common phobia lists, but do people in eastern states need to be worried about serpentine encounters as much as those in western and southern states?

Rattlesnakes are considered threatened or endangered in certain states such as Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. This particular venomous creature is vulnerable to loss of habitat and being run over by vehicles. Once the population is depressed, it takes the population a long time to recover because of slow reproduction rates. It takes females the first seven to nine years of their 30-year life to reach sexual maturity. They will then only have a litter every three to five years, and only one baby from each litter will likely survive to reach maturity.

Still, snakes are surviving in eastern snakes and whether you should be truly concerned about them while hiking, hunting, or working in your yard depends largely on how often you will be in areas known for snakes. Your best bet is to wear snake gaiters or snake boots while recreating or working in snake habitat.  Rattlesnakes are unlikely to bite unless provoked — usually by a young person bitten on the hand because they attempted to pick it up.  Children need to realize if you poke at it long enough, even the most docile snake of any species is going to strike. Also, if you startle a snake by accidentally stepping on it, or perhaps moving a rock or piece of wood not knowing a snake is under there, that's when bites can occur, too.

If you happen to get bit, do not cut or suck the wound or use a tourniquet to isolate the venom. Go directly to a medical facility as quickly as possible. Not all hospitals carry anti-venom, so it’s a good idea to call ahead. Some victims might need to be hospitalized. Although a rattlesnake bite can be very painful and expensive (anti-venom doesn't come cheap), it's not common enough to avoid hiking or fishing or otherwise having fun in the woods on a summer’s afternoon. Just be prepared with the right snake bite protection, use common sense, and be on the look-out so you can avoid any rattlers that are also taking advantage of a sunny summer day.

Most times we want to AVOID snakes, but if you are a gardener, you just might be glad to see the "right" kind of snake gliding through your vegetable plants. The "right" kind of snakes consume a wide variety of garden pests. For example, the garter snake feeds on slugs; the sharp-tailed snake adds grubs to their diet, including the destructive Japanese beetle grub. Rubber boas specialize in eating mice and voles, and will even go down their tunnels after them. And gopher snakes snack on mice and rats.

Garter snakes are the most common type seen by urban and suburban gardeners. Depending on where you live, there are several species of this type of snake, such as the western terrestrial garter, the northwestern garter, and the common garter. Garter snakes generally breed in the spring and give birth to live young in the late summer or fall. The young are not often seen until the following spring, after they emerge from hibernation after their first winter. Most young garter snakes do not survive into adulthood because they are killed off by predators, cars, and lawnmowers.

The common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) is, well, the most common species in North America. You can generally recognize it by the pattern of yellow stripes on a brown or green background. Their average total length (including tail) is about 22 inches. The average body weight is only about 5 ounces. In summer, it is most active in the morning and late afternoon; in cooler seasons or climates, it restricts its activity to the warm afternoons. In warmer southern areas, the snake is active year-round; otherwise, it sleeps in common dens, sometimes in great numbers. For humans, a bite is not dangerous, though it may cause slight itching, burning, and/or swelling. The snake's salivia is poisonous to its prey.

If you have pets, the likelihood of attracting garter snakes is minimal, but if you want to make your garden or lawn garter snake friendly, follow this advice:

• Walk your lawn before you mow it to scare the snakes into hiding. Lawn mowers are deadly to snakes because they can't hear like humans do. Rather, they feel vibrations.

• Provide habitat for snakes if you have room. Old plywood or corrugated metal roofing left loosely on the ground in an out-of-the-way place on your property provides hiking and nesting places for snakes. Old stumps and large rocks also make good snake habitat. Keep in mind that these very habitats can also attract the WRONG kind of snake such as rattlers and other venomous vipers.

• Don't use chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers in areas used by snakes, including lawns.

Of course rattlesnakes feed on mice, rats, and other small animals that you might want to get rid of, but they are not exactly the type of slithering creature you want to attract!  If you live, work, or play in rattlesnake country, wear snake gaiters or snake boots and be safe!

You might recently have heard on the news that a 14-year-old boy was airlifted out of Mission Trails Regional Park in San Diego, California after a rattlesnake bit his leg. In Arizona, an adult was badly bitten on the knuckle of his middle finger. At the hospital, the man who nearly lost his finger from the bite said, "It felt like having your finger injected with molten lava. The pain was intense and immediate, the swelling was dramatic, almost instantaneous." He had to be treated with 23 vials of costly anti-venom.

Isn't it too early in the season to have to worry about snake bite? Shouldn't these venomous creatures still be hibernating until March or April? Well, that depends. A warmer than expected winter in some places has caused snakes to come out of hibernation earlier than usual. In fact, in warmer southern states, snakes often don't go into hibernation at all. Instead, they go into "brumation."

Hibernation is a deep sleep, usually occuring in colder, snow covered climates in northern states. Snakes don't actually sleep in brumation, but their bodies acclimate to a lower temperature, their metabolism slows, and they become less active and less inclined to feed. Brumation or hibernation is necessary for breeding. If male snakes don't cool down at some point during the year, they most likely would not be able to produce fertile sperm.

On warm days, brumating snakes sometimes come out of their dens to bask in the sunshine. Nice sunny winter days are often when people are surprised by snakes. Just like humans, snakes head out to enjoy the sun and unsuspecting hikers can startle them and cause them to strike. As a rule of thumb, rattlesnakes can strike a distance of two-thirds their total body length. That means a three foot long snake may be able to strike a distance of two feet.  The best advice is to stay alert when recreating in environments where snakes are known to live. If you see a snake or hear it rattle, take one big step back so you're immediately out of striking range. Rattlesnakes usually try to get way from people and bite only when attacked -- or when they perceive they are being threatened or attacked. Many bites occur when snakes are accidentally stepped on. Wear snake gaiters or snake proof boots and you'll know you're protected in case that happens.

Generally, rattlesnakes emerge from hibernation in March or April, or when the average daytime temperatures reach and remain about 60 degrees Fahrenheit and higher. In the spring, keep in mind that emerging snakes are hungry, thirsty, and ready for love!  They are most active in 80-degree temperatures. With spring approaching, follow the Boy Scout motto and be prepared. Whether you are of the mindset that rattlers and other dangerous snakes have their place in the ecosystem and should be left alone when encountered, or think the only good rattler is a dead rattler, don't take a chance. Wear snake gaiters or snake boots and you'll know you're protected when in the desert or woods.

When snakes in the wild go into hibernation depends on two things: their location and their species. A snake in Minnesota will go into hibernation much earlier than a snake in Texas, and come out of hibernation much later. Snakes from tropical climates, such as pythons and boas, don't hibernate at all. Venomous snakes from North America, such as rattlers, copperheads, and cottonmouths, hibernate when the weather cools down. Snake activity picks up as temperatures fall in late summer and early autumn before they go into hibernation, which can be as early as September or as late as December. Generally, rattlesnakes emerge from hibernation in March or April, or when the average daytime temperatures reach and remain about 60 degrees Fahrenheit and higher.

In warmer southern states, snakes often don't go into hibernation, but brumation. Hibernation is a deep sleep, usually occuring in colder, snow covered climates in northern states. Snakes don't actually sleep in Brumation, but their bodies acclimate to a lower temperature, their metabolism slows, and they become less active and less inclined to feed. Brumation or hibernation is necessary for breeding. If male snakes don't cool down at some point during the year, they most likely would not be able to produce fertile sperm.

On warm days, brumating snakes sometimes come out of their dens to bask in the sunshine. Nice sunny winter days that follow a long cold snap are often when people are surprised by snakes. Just like humans, snakes head out to enjoy the sun and unsuspecting hikers can startle them and cause them to strike. As a rule of thumb, rattlesnakes can strike a distance of two-thirds their total body length. That means a three foot long snake may be able to strike a distance of two feet.  Rattlesnakes cannot jump. If striking downhill, however, gravity and the momentum generated by a strike may combine to carry the animal farther forward than would occur over flat ground. On very steep slopes, a snake could lose balance during a strike and actually fall toward its target. Thus, the effective range of a downhill strike may exceed that normally expected across a level surface.

Caves and deep crevices on rocky hillsides are common hibernaculums for rattlers. Many species hibernate in groups. Rodent burrows are probably the most common places for sleeping snakes, especially in southern states such as Texas. Other places include holes under the roots of a tree or inside a rotting log. Barns or under houses are other good spots for snakes. Not all snakes will survive hibernation. A skinny snake will not survive. If the snake feeds heavily before they hibernate, and have digested their meal before the cooling starts, they will be OK.  If food is in their stomach or intestines when they cool, it will rot and kill them.

Snakes are most active whenever temperatures are between 80-90F.  This means that the snakes may be active most of the day during the spring, and during the early mornings and late afternoons throughout the summer.  Exposure to temperatures above 110F for more than a few minutes is enough to kill a rattlesnake; therefore, during the hottest part of summer, snakes are seldom observed, except occasionally at night.  Snake activity picks up again as temperatures begin to fall in late summer and early autumn before they go into hibernation or brumation.

An estimated 45,000 people are bitten by snakes annually in the United States.  Approximately 8,000 of these bites are from venomous snakes.  It is estimated that snakebites account for 125,000 deaths worldwide each year.  Those statistics are enough reason to always wear snake boots or snake gaiters when in snake country, which could be the desert or the woods. If you do, you won't have to worry so much about the temperature or the season because if you use common sense and wear snake bite protection, you'll keep yourself safe.