With temperatures warming up, snakes of all sorts are out of hibernation and a Santa Clarita herpetologist is informing residents on these creatures.
Due to snakes being cold-blooded they can’t regulate the temperatures of their bodies like humans, according to officials.
With spring here, snakes are taking advantage of the warm weather to hunt, according to officials.
“Snakes are most active when the lows are in the mid-50s and daytime highs are in the mid-70s,” said John Lauermann, a Santa Clarita herpetologist in a previous KHTS article. “They prefer this temperature so they can comfortably hunt without overheating.”
However, once the summertime comes and the temperatures begin to exceed over 100 degrees, rattlesnakes will become less active during the day and more active at nighttime, he said.
Despite rattlesnakes not appealing to some, they play an important role in society, according to officials.
“Snakes are extremely helpful to our ecosystem by keeping the rodent population down,” Lauermann said.
Killing snakes won’t necessarily make them go away, according to officials.
“Killing an adult rattlesnake gives baby snakes new territory to fight over, when they may have died off,” Lauermann said.
A myth that has been circulating for a long time is that baby rattlesnakes are more dangerous than adult snakes, but experts say that’s not true.
“Baby rattlesnakes are able to control their venom from birth and are able to have dry bites,” he said. “Adults are more dangerous and have 10 times more venom than the babies do.”
For Santa Clarita residents who are outdoors people, gardeners or hikers following a few simple steps could help prevent rattlesnake bites from occurring.
“Rattlesnakes will get against a wall or occasionally a stair because they know they are protected by one side,” said Dr. Bud Lawrence, medical director for the Emergency Department at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in a previous KHTS article. “When you are walking down stairs it is very important to keep an eye out where you are stepping.”
For those who spend time outdoors in the wilderness you never want to step between logs or over a log, Lawrence said.
“You always want to step on to the rock or the log and look down and make sure where you are stepping down is clear,” he added.
Rattlesnakes also tend to like to linger in bushes and tall grass, according to officials.
While gardening don’t blindly put your hand in a bush or grass without checking for rattlesnakes, Lawrence said.
In the event you or someone you are with is bit by a rattlesnake get treated immediately.
“If someone does get bit by a rattlesnake it is very important to call 9-1-1 and remain calm,” said Randy Gee, a captain with the Los Angeles County Fire Department in a previous KHTS article. “As soon as a rattlesnake does bite, use a marker or a pen and circle the area where the bite happened.”
This is a technique paramedics use to determine how fast the venom is traveling, officials said.
“Do not try doing anything to remove the venom such as cutting open the area where you got bit,” said Gee.
If Santa Clarita residents do come across a rattlesnake, Lauermann may be able to help relocate the snake or have someone help depending on how far away he is.
For residents who would like to have snakes relocated knowing the snake won’t be killed contact Lauermann at 661-645-6024.
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