Rattle Snakes and What To Do

Hello,

As many of you know from other posts, rattlesnakes and Mojave greens are among the many creatures on the mountain. Picture credits go to Jeff, who encountered two rattlesnakes on his last stay, and John, who has also encountered some,-+ along with his dog being bitten. Please reach out to your local vet for rattlesnake vaccines for your pets. As for us humans, please find information from the Utah Department of Wildlife (DWR) regarding how to stay safe if you encounter a rattlesnake. (Utah.gov, April 25, 2022) Rattlesnakes are most active during the hot summer months at dawn and at dusk, though they can be encountered at all hours.

What to do if you encounter a rattlesnake

• Remain calm and do not panic. Stay at least 5-10 feet from the snake. Make sure to give it plenty of space.

• Do not try to kill the snake. Doing so is illegal and greatly increases the chance the snake will bite you.

• Do not throw anything at the snake, like rocks or sticks. Rattlesnakes may respond to this by moving toward the person doing the throwing, rather than away from them.

• Alert other people to the snake's location. Advise them to use caution and to respect the snake. Keep children and pets away from the area.

• Keep your dog on a leash when hiking or camping. Allowing your dog to roam around increases the chance the dog will find a snake and get bitten.

• If you hear a rattle, don't jump or panic. Try to locate where the sound is coming from before you react so you don't step closer to the snake or on top of it.

***For more information, click on Utah.gov below for a link to the DWR website. Thank you for taking the time to read. If anyone else has comments, please list them below in the comment area for all residents to read.

Stay safe,

Anna Davis

How to stay safe if you encounter a rattlesnake this spring or summer (utah.gov)