Snakes are active in town

[rmekemson]

Yesterday morning Elmer Jr. and I were out waddling on the Pacific Crest Trail west of Jackson Flat Campground.  I was leading, my son likes for me to be the initial target for anything unknown, although he always says he thinks of me as a leader.  Lead what?  We're hiking on the PCT for crying out loud.  What's to lead?  Well anyway...

We had hiked through this section about a half hour earlier and came across several other hiking groups which had just come through the section.  We were talking and enjoying the beautiful morning with the cool shade and brilliant sky.  So the noise of our voices, the clomping of our boots and clicking of our trekking poles were advertising our approach ( I don't like to sneak up on anything).

We passed a bush which was about a foot off the trail; and as we passed we heard that disturbing rattling sound.  By the time we realized it, we had gone a few feet beyond where we thought the sound came from (is this a dangling participle?) and we looked back to see the snake moving away from us deeper into the bush.  It was a Southern Pacific and was obviously more afraid of us than we were of it.  Of course this is debateable as it is somewhat difficult to continue hiking with soiled underwear.

We continued the hike to Lightning Ridge through the heavy vegetation which lines the trail with new interest and concern.  Do you realize how many sticks and limbs look like snakes?  Do you realize how disconcerting the sound of lizards scurrying through the undergrow can be.  Of course Elmer Jr. insisted I "lead".  What a guy!

[Arizona]

Elmer-
  I was told that you only have to worry about snakes is when you are third on the trail since the first hiker wakes the snake up, the second one ticks him off, and it's the third hiker that gets bitten.

[rmekemson]

Thanks for the input Arizona.  I guess, maybe, I'm a born leader!  I'm just wondering who I don't like enough to invite as a third for our next hike?

[Chesslike]

Elmer,
Have you thought of asking the lady up on Acorn, maybe bring her flowers like Nolena suggested.

[rmekemson]

Oh, how cold!  Thank God I'm a humanitarian by nature with nothing but nice thoughts for everyone.  I would never do anything like that.

[Nolena]

Now, now.
One thing that's worked for me when I've come to a snake on the trail is to pick up little rocks & throw them one at a time toward the snake's head...not hard. They don't like that (even if not one rock hits them) and they crawl away (hopefully far). That's worked for me quite a few times.
The other technique that's worked for me is to have Elmer 3rd in line.....
(Just kidding, Elmer.)

[rmekemson]

Oh Nolena, I'm crushed - absolutely crushed.  I would never harm a fly and you're talking like making me a fang target.  I'm shocked, absolutely shocked.

Actually...I don't mind the snakes when I can see them.  It's just when they're hidden in a bush, next to a trail and they turn on the rattle machine that bugs me.  It's the shock/fright effect it has.  Then seeing it is actually a relief because you then know where the little bugger is.  We didn't know whether to jump left, jump right, jump forward, jump backward or what until we knew where he was.  Hey Nolena, how'd you like to go for a hike along with Elmer Jr and me?  We could always use a threesome.

[Nolena]

Sounds great, as soon as I get over this pneumonia thing. Of course, I can't be third.....

[Wrightwood]

Following behind a Rattler while on Blue Ridge, late this afternoon.

I can count 9-10 rattles on this 3ft snake.

[rmekemson]

A nice thing about the Southern Pacific is its nonaggressive behavior.  It's kind of lilke "you leave me alone, I'll leave you alone, ok?"  Some folks from down the hill ask about these reptiles.  A surprisingly large number are under the impression that all rattlesnakes will attack and chase after you.   As evidence by your photo, he/she knew you were there but he/she didn't want to have anything to do with you.  Don't take it personal Wrightwood.

[Wildman]

There was a rattlesnake bite last week at one of the organizational camps in Wrightwood.  A sixteen year old female was playing nerf ball after dark on her first night in camp and reached over a pile of rocks to retrieve the ball and was bitten.
She was only hit with one fang on her index finger but had definite envenomation.  She never saw the snake...it was dark.  Swelling, discoloration and localized pain were evident when she showed up at the Wrightwood Fire Station.

She was taken to one of the two local hospitals that have the new
CROFAB anti venom.  At four the next morning, she was still in considerable pain but it appeared there would be no major loss of tissue or use of her hand.  

[Wildman]

Follow Up to previous post...

CROFAB is a brand name for anti-venom given to folks that are bitten by rattlesnakes.  It supposedly works better for both the hemotoxic and neurotoxic snake venoms found in the West.  It is tolerated by more people and there seems to be less side effects to the patient.  Those who watched the TLC program, "Venom ER" , about Dr. Shaun Bush and his pioneering work with victims of snake bite saw the product being used on patients.  Not all hospitals have it and those who don't are using the old style which can cause some severe reactions.  Loma Linda University and Desert Valley Community Hospital both carry the CROFAB anti-venom.  

In any event where there is a possibility of rattlesnake envenomation....rapid transport to a hospital means minimizing tissue loss and nerve damage.  

[Wrightwood]

It's time this topic goes back to the top. Right now SB County Fire is working a call in the high desert for a little girl bitten by a rattler. She's being flown by Mercy Air to Loma Linda Hospital.

The Animal Planet channel has an excellent show on snake bites. Venom ER includes footage on last year's Lytle Creek snake bite victim and his subsequent death from a Southern Pacific Rattler.

[mal]

Does anyone know what kind of baby snake has a bright blue tail-end?  I saw one fleeing the yard today.

hanks.

[TableMtn]

There is a new immunity shot for dogs for rattlesnake venom.  I don't think it works on the neurotoxin venom like the mojave green but it will HELP dogs against rattlesnake bites from other rattlers.  The dog gets one shot, then a month later another shot, then a yearly booster.  It just came out and I got a pamphlet on it from my vet.  I'm thinking about getting my guys vaccinated.  It is not a "cure" but gives their immune system a boost if they get bit and will buy them some time for you to get them to the vet.  

I spent $1100 last year on my big black lab who got bit in the leg.  4 vials of anti-venom and an overnite at the emergency vet was NOT cheap!  

[Wrightwood]

TableMtn was kind enough to come up with a website for the company who has the product:
http://www.redrockbiologics.com/

I'm sure they could tell you of local vets that would carry the immunity shots.

Snake news:
We saw a  large rattler just off Lone Pine Canyon Road this morning and another smashed one in the middle of Lone Pine Canyon Road. Be Carefull!

[Wrightwood]

TableMtn,
How much did they charge for the immunity shot ?

[clint]

Wrightwood and I stopped in a turnout along LPC today and the instant I opened the truck door, heard a familiar rattling sound. There was a VERY fat and VERY angry Rattler curled up in a bush beside the turnout. We have also seen two road kill rattlers, one being carried off by a Raven, on LPC in the last ten days. So if you must stop along LPC for any reason be very carefull. And of course watch out that one doesn't suddenly run across the road in front of you, and cause you to lose control and roll your vehicle. Of course with snow board season over, that's pretty unlikely.

[Wrightwood]

[Snowbird]

How close were you?