The Rattlesnakes Are Out

Multiple bites of people and pets in San Diego County these last few weeks. I haven't seen one yet this year but a lot of runners and traily types I know have. Be careful!

Of note, the Fire Chief in the article repeats a kind of urban myth about snakes, which is that baby snakes inject more venom than adults. There's really no evidence for this, just a lot of people repeating it without proof. And the bottom line anyway is how it affects your decision-making - you don't want to get bitten by a rattlesnake, young, old, teenager, in mild-life crisis, period.

So do your best to avoid them, and know what to do if you or someone around you does get bitten: stay calm (don't panic or run), call 911, and get yourself to a hospital. No sucking out the poison or tourniquets! (More here.)


Seen one of these? Put it on the San Diego Rattlesnake Encounter Map (always on the right side of the screen on this blog, or click here). Help build the database!