Rattlesnake bite near here

[DonTom]

The first venomous snake bite in the USA this year happened just five miles north of here in Eloy. AZ.

A Western Diamondback, perhaps the most dangerous snake in the USA because its bites are very common compared to other venomous USA snakes.

-Don- Picacho State Park, AZ

 

[Sunnyfalls]

Great location to see firefly show in late summer after the rains too. Very dark locations are needed and there are few good locations these days.

 

[old RV guy]

The first venomous snake bite in the USA this year happened just five miles north of here in Eloy. AZ.

A Western Diamondback, perhaps the most dangerous snake in the USA because its bites are very common compared to other venomous USA snakes.

-Don- Picacho State Park, AZ

I always appreciate the expert advice "if you see a venomous snake walk away...",..As opposed to trying to pet him?

 

[DonTom]

"if you see a venomous snake walk away...",..As opposed to trying to pet him?

Many people think when they see a venomous snake they must kill it. And several people have been killed by trying to do such. See here and read the various ways people have been killed by venomous snakes in the USA because they did NOT "walk away".

-Don- Picacho Peak State Park, AZ

 

[DonTom]

BTW, I do not see any warning signs for the snakes here, but I do see some of these signs, a much more deadly animal than the snakes, based on the numbers of people they kill:

-Don- Picacho Peak State Park, AZ

 

[Domo]

Sometimes, nature bites. You have to be aware of everything where you are exploring; dress appropriately and take sensible precautions and first aid kits if warranted. Always be prepared for local bites/burns/breaks and plan accordingly.

 

[DonTom]

Sometimes, nature bites.

Yes, and when bitten by a venomous snake, best to do nothing other than a little cleaning getting to a hospital ASAP.

Forget about snake bite kits and all that. They do more harm than good.

See here.

-Don- Picacho Peak State Park, AZ

 

[rvlifer]

I always hike with hiking sticks specifically to help avoid issues with wildlife. I use them to poke around before stepping over logs or rocks snakes can be sitting behind and to help maintain distance when i do stumble across them.

No guarantees but it helps

 

[DonTom]

I always hike with hiking sticks specifically to help avoid issues with wildlife. I use them to poke around before stepping over logs or rocks snakes can be sitting behind and to help maintain distance when i do stumble across them.

No guarantees but it helps

I used a hiking staff--this one-until yesterday-- when I lost mine!

Do you use one or two? I prefer to use only one.

Yesterday was VERY windy here. A lousy day for a hike, but I went on a short hike anyway. I had to hold on to my hat (and yes, it has the string, but still too much wind for it) and other things because of the heavy winds got even worse. I was carrying, not using my hiking staff. Anyway, I stopped somewhere for a short break and when I got up, I discovered I did not have my hiking staff! I could not think of where I could have lost it! I never found it on the way back, so the entire thing is a mystery. At first, I was wondering if I even took it, but it is not in this RV when I got back. So it's lost for good.

But I did not miss it at all on today's hike. In some areas, I was better off without it. It would get in the way when I had to use the lower cables to get to the area where I chickened-out on the higher cables mentioned here.-until yesterday-- when I lost mine!

Do you use one or two? I prefer to use only one.

Yesterday was VERY windy here. A lousy day for a hike, but I went on a short hike anyway. I had to hold on to my hat (and yes, it has the string, but still too much wind for it) and other things because of the heavy winds got even worse. I was carrying, not using my hiking staff. Anyway, I stopped somewhere for a short break and when I got up, I discovered I did not have my hiking staff! I could not think of where I could have lost it! I never found it on the way back, so the entire thing is a mystery. At first, I was wondering if I even took it, but it is not in this RV when I got back. So it's lost for good.

But I did not miss it at all on today's hike. In some areas, I was better off without it. It would get in the way when I had to use the lower cables to get to the area where I chickened-out on the higher cables mentioned here.

Today was a perfect hiking day, so I went a lot farther and hiked the entire day away. And I never even made it to where I was hiking to. Great hike anyway!

-Don- Picacho Peak State Park, AZ

 

[rvlifer]

Do you use one or two? I prefer to use only one.

I buy cheap ones and use 2. Helps my knees a lot going down hills

 

[old RV guy]

Many people think when they see a venomous snake they must kill it. And several people have been killed by trying to do such. See here and read the various ways people have been killed by venomous snakes in the USA because they did NOT "walk away".

-Don- Picacho Peak State Park, AZ

I didn't go to the link, but I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess there aren't exactly many various ways a venomous snake kills people. I grew up in Florida, mostly cottonmouths, copperheads and rattlesnakes, we just took a hoe, or a shovel or a stick or shot them. None of us kids ever walked away from one.
My last encounter with a cottonmouth was in our yard in La. He was a good ~ 5', big fat dude, I bagged him up and released him down on the Quachita River bank.

 

[Tulecreeper]

Yes, and when bitten by a venomous snake, best to do nothing other than a little cleaning getting to a hospital ASAP.

Forget about snake bite kits and all that. They do more harm than good.

See here.

-Don- Picacho Peak State Park, AZ

I didn't go to the link, but I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess there aren't exactly many various ways a venomous snake kills people. I grew up in Florida, mostly cottonmouths, copperheads and rattlesnakes, we just took a hoe, or a shovel or a stick or shot them. None of us kids ever walked away from one.
My last encounter with a cottonmouth was in our yard in La. He was a good ~ 5', big fat dude, I bagged him up and released him down on the Quachita River bank.

I have no grief with venomous snakes. When I run into one out (usually) hunting, I just let it be - unless I find it in my duck blind, then it has to die. If I find one within a long rock's throw of my residence it also has to die.

I killed this on my front porch in Arkansas:


And we had a ton of these show up every summer:

 

[DonTom]

I killed this on my front porch in Arkansas:

That is a harmless watersnake! Your photo is not clear enough to be 100% sure of much else, but it is a harmless watersnake for sure. Perhaps a Green Water Snake, but also could be a DB Watersnake or whatever. See here.

-Don- Kofa NWR, AZ

 

[old RV guy]

That is a harmless watersnake! Your photo is not clear enough to be 100% sure of much else, but it is a harmless watersnake for sure. Perhaps a Green Water Snake, but also could be a DB Watersnake or whatever. See here.

-Don- Kofa NWR, AZ

I'm not sure the snake I captured in W. Monroe couldn't have been the Diamondback Water Snake, they look similar and that snake did let off the foul smelling musk like a water moccasin. Anyway, I didn't kill him.

 

[Kirk]

In most snakebite cases, the victim states, "Hold my beer and watch this!" just prior to getting bitten.

 

[DonTom]

and that snake did let off the foul smelling musk like a water moccasin

Most snakes do that. Garter snakes, water snakes, racers and countless others. More do it than don't, mostly only when first caught and almost never after a while in captivity.

For the watersnakes in Texas, see here.

-Don- Kofa NWR, AZ

 

[Cmprman]

 

[Tulecreeper]

That is a harmless watersnake! Your photo is not clear enough to be 100% sure of much else, but it is a harmless watersnake for sure. Perhaps a Green Water Snake, but also could be a DB Watersnake or whatever. See here.

-Don- Kofa NWR, AZ

Nope, after I killed it I pinned it down, pried it's mouth open, took my pocket knife and folded out the inch-long fangs. The reason I killed it to begin with was because when I walked around the corner of the garage it went into defensive mode, reared back and opened its mouth, and I could clearly see the fangs. So I took a broom and drove it into a bush by the porch, then got my revolver with bird shot, poked it again to make it raise its head, and shot it. It's just a skinny water moccasin.

We had several varieties of watersnake in my neck of the woods in Arkansas, and I saw all of them at one time or another when fishing. Actually had them attack a lure a couple times, so I know what they look like.

Cottonmouth come is a variety of flavors. Sometimes in the color of the one I shot (inset). I caught a Kingsnake in the process of eating one a few years ago (attachment).

 

[old RV guy]

Nope, after I killed it I pinned it down, pried it's mouth open, took my pocket knife and folded out the inch-long fangs. The reason I killed it to begin with was because when I walked around the corner of the garage it went into defensive mode, reared back and opened its mouth, and I could clearly see the fangs. So I took a broom and drove it into a bush by the porch, then got my revolver with bird shot, poked it again to make it raise its head, and shot it. It's just a skinny water moccasin.

We had several varieties of watersnake in my neck of the woods in Arkansas, and I saw all of them at one time or another when fishing. Actually had them attack a lure a couple times, so I know what they look like.

Cottonmouth come is a variety of flavors. Sometimes in the color of the one I shot (inset). I caught a Kingsnake in the process of eating one a few years ago (attachment).

View attachment 178324

Water snakes that look and behave like venomous snakes, evolved to do so to make you think they're venomous.

 

[RayIN]

Many people think when they see a venomous snake they must kill it. And several people have been killed by trying to do such. See here and read the various ways people have been killed by venomous snakes in the USA because they did NOT "walk away".

-Don- Picacho Peak State Park, AZ

Snakes bite for 2 reasons self-defense and food. Sometimes they "dry' bite in defense- IOW, do not inject venom. Walking away is the best move.
If I see a snake in time, I walk away.
added update; There are exceptions, like the Mohave green rattlesnake that climbs bushes/small trees to eat birds and is unusually aggressive.