In early spring, snakes emerge from winter hibernation and become more active. Rattlesnakes are native to California and occur in a variety of wildland habitats, as well as in rural and urban areas.
Rattlesnakes are more active in warm weather, which can lead to more encounters with humans and dogs, especially along trails and roads.
Visitors are encouraged to keep snake safety precautions in mind when visiting East Bay Regional Parks throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons.
Snakes are an important resource in the natural environment. They are prime controlling agents of rodents and other reptile populations. Enjoy them from afar and leave them where they are found. Collecting, killing, or removing any plants or animals from the Park District is illegal. Please help protect all wildlife and their environment.
Rattlesnake Safety Tips
- Avoid hiking alone so you have help in case of emergency.
- Scan the ground ahead of you as you walk, jog, or ride.
- Stay on trails and avoid walking in tall grass.
- Look carefully around and under logs and rocks before sitting down.
- Listen for the buzz of a rattlesnake’s rattle warning you it is there.
- Avoid placing your hands or feet where you cannot see clearly.
- For maximum safety, consider keeping your dog on a leash.
What to Do If You See a Rattlesnake
- Leave it alone – do not try to capture or harm it. All native wildlife is protected by law, and it is safest to leave it alone.
- If you see a snake, do not approach. Move carefully and slowly away or around it while giving it plenty of space.
What to Do If Bitten by a Snake
If bitten by a rattlesnake, stay calm and have someone call 911. Remain calm by lying down with the affected limb lower than the heart. Getting medical attention quickly is critical – do not use tourniquets, “sucking,” or snake bite kits. If you are by yourself, walk calmly to the nearest source of help to dial 911. Do not run.
If bitten by any other type of snake, wash the wound with soap and water or an antiseptic and seek medical attention.
If you are unsure what kind of snake bit you, check the bite for two puncture marks (in rare cases one puncture mark) associated with intense, burning pain. This is typical of a rattlesnake bite. Other snakebites may leave multiple teeth marks without associated burning pain.
You do not need to identify the specific type of rattlesnake to receive the correct antivenom. The Northern Pacific rattlesnake is the species found in East Bay Regional Parks.
Climate Crisis!!!
Recliner is designated a snake free zone
Watch out for corn snakes too.
Actually there are at least two other species of venomous snakes found locally but their venom is nothing that could cause a human fatality.
Night Snakes & Garter Snakes are venomous and the Garter Snake is actually poisonous as well due to it eating toads & newts which are mildly poisonous (but the snake is immune to it).
If you find yourself Naked & Afraid don’t eat a Garter Snake.
Having been bit numerous times by Garter Snakes when I was a kid I can assure you it is not dangerous to people, but their bite is like being slashed with a very fine hacksaw blade…ouch.
https://animalia.bio/night-snake
https://wildlifeinformer.com/are-garter-snakes-poisonous/
Rattlesnake are easy control by a 22birdshot, But mouse traps are cheaper. Now days.
true thats why i always carry a ton of mouse traps and place them along the trails on my hikes because I would hate for a fellow hiker to get stung by one of those pesky snakes. Why cant they just stay and hibernate in their caves?
You will be reported to Park Rangers.
Mid 70s used to hike above Chico off Skyway with Ruger revolver with bird shot.
Problem back in those days was which of the two or three was the real snake.
Didn’t find out until years later, Chico was test market for new beers.
Saw three this week in Shell Ridge, right where kids and dogs run on the side of the trail.
If you’re a Facebook type, join the group https://www.facebook.com/groups/openspacewildlife
A few of us locals post up pics and videos of the open space wildlife, including snakes 🙂
BTW – That has got to be the coolest Rattlesnake photo ever.
My compliments to the photographer.
You’re right, snakes can be political, but not in the way you might think! They aren’t forming political parties or debating policy. However, snakes do hold symbolic meaning in politics.
Snakes can represent treachery or hidden dangers, like the term “a snake in the grass.”
Cartoons often use snakes to represent specific political figures or parties.
Historically, rattlesnakes were even used on flags like the “Join, or Die” symbol during the American Revolution.
So, while a rattlesnake slithering across the path won’t be advocating for a particular tax plan, it can be used as a political symbol by humans.