{"id":81128,"date":"2025-07-21T17:10:11","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T17:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/81128\/"},"modified":"2025-07-21T17:10:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T17:10:11","slug":"what-to-do-if-you-see-or-are-bitten-by-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/81128\/","title":{"rendered":"What to do if you see or are bitten by one"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hot weather is bringing out Shasta County’s shy sun-worshipping rattlesnakes, to the chagrin of humans who fear them.<\/p>\n

Native to\u00a0Shasta County, the Northern Pacific\u00a0rattlesnake\u00a0comes out from under rocks, logs and other hidden spots to bask in Redding\u2019s heat. While they use their poisonous bite in self-defense, humans can usually avoid them. With careful human monitoring, so can their curious pets.<\/p>\n

Rattlesnakes are part of urban wildlife like skunk, opossum and raccoon, said LeeAnne Smith of Redding<\/a>, a 30-year veteran with Haven Humane Society and Animal Regulation. Once displaced by human development, they may\u00a0still try\u00a0to survive close to their territory.<\/p>\n

At cooler times, people in the city and suburbs seldom see a rattlesnake unless they move objects in their yard or disturb one off-trail on a hike or bike.<\/p>\n

They also live on rocky cliffs, like those along the Sacramento River. The cliffs along North Hilltop Drive in Redding are “rattlesnake heaven,\u201d Smith said. There are plenty of\u00a0rodents to eat and water sources\u00a0are close.<\/p>\n

But these shy snakes love hot sun, and will come out into the open almost anywhere to sunbathe in summer.<\/p>\n

People can avoid these venomous snakes, help protect pets\u00a0and make their property less inviting to them.<\/p>\n

What to do if you see a rattlesnake<\/p>\n

If you encounter a rattlesnake, stay calm and back away.<\/p>\n

A misconception\u00a0about rattlesnakes is they “go after”\u00a0people, said Smith.\u00a0The truth is they’re afraid of us.<\/p>\n

Rattlesnakes are not generally aggressive toward people or pets unless provoked or threatened. They’ll usually retreat if given space, according to the\u00a0California Department of Fish and Wildlife<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Northern<\/p>\n

Northern Pacific rattlesnake is a subspecies of the Western rattlesnake.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost of the time, the rattle of a rattlesnake is a defensive gesture,” said fish and wildlife spokesman Patrick Foy\u00a0in Sacramento.\u00a0“They don\u2019t want to be stepped on. They want you to go away.\u201d<\/p>\n

But they\u00a0don’t always rattle before they strike, Smith said.\u00a0While they grow a rattle per year as they age, baby rattlesnakes are venomous as soon as they hatch. You may not get a warning sound.<\/p>\n

For a list of things people can do to avoid rattlesnakes while they’re outdoors go to\u00a0the\u00a0California Poison Control System<\/a>\u00a0rattlesnake web page at\u00a0calpoison.org\/about-rattlesnakes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Rattlesnakes<\/p>\n

Rattlesnakes are not generally aggressive, unless provoked or threatened, and will likely retreat if given space, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.<\/p>\n

Want to hear how a rattlesnake’s rattle sounds from the safety of your home? Go to britannica.com\/video\/rattle-rattlesnake<\/a><\/p>\n

How to keep rattlesnakes away from your home<\/p>\n

One way to avoid rattlesnakes is to make your property less attractive to them.<\/p>\n

Smith\u00a0suggests people inspect and clear\u00a0debris from\u00a0their\u00a0property where they plan to turn over soil.<\/p>\n

Remove anything that could attract the snakes’ prey \u2014 rats and other rodents \u2014 as well as the snakes.\u00a0Feed pets indoors and move bird feeders away from the house.<\/p>\n

For tips on making your home less inviting to rattlesnakes, the CDFW recommends people visit the\u00a0California Herps rattlesnake information page<\/a> at californiaherps.com\/info\/rattlesnakeinfo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What to do if you get bitten by a rattlesnake<\/p>\n

Rattlesnake bites are uncommon, according to California Poison Control<\/a>‘s\u00a0Assistant Medical Director Cyrus Rangan. Statewide, about 300 bites are reported to poison control annually.<\/p>\n

\"Rattlesnake\"<\/p>\n

Rattlesnake<\/p>\n

If a rattlesnake does bite you, get immediate medical attention, according to\u00a0poison control. Stay calm and\u00a0keep the bite area elevated.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t run. Don’t ice, cut into or constrict the bite area. Don’t\u00a0try to suck out the venom.<\/p>\n

Are you allowed to kill\u00a0a rattlesnake in California?<\/p>\n

While rattlesnakes are beneficial to the environment\u00a0\u2014 eating\u00a0mice and other rodents\u00a0\u2014\u00a0if they settle under or next to your house they could bite curious children or pets.<\/p>\n

According to the CDFW, it’s legal in most cases to kill most species of rattlesnakes in California, as long as it’s to protect life and property.<\/p>\n

When killing them, remember they do feel pain. Kill then quickly for your own safety and to be as humane as possible, said Patrick Foy at the CDFW. Most people hit them very hard on the head with the back of a shovel.<\/p>\n

Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight\/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories.\u00a0Follow\u00a0her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic<\/a>\u00a0and on Facebook<\/a>. Join Jessica on Record Searchlight Facebook groups Get Out! Nor Cal<\/a>\u00a0, Today in Shasta County<\/a> and Shaping Redding\u2019s Future<\/a>. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.<\/a><\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Rattlesnake encounters on hot Redding days. Here’s what to do<\/a><\/p>\n