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Cardon Man
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Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: Thetis Bank
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?Rattlesnakes?
A quick search of the archives revealed a few threads on these venomous critters. April was billed as "rattlesnake month" in one thread but there was
no explanation as to why this is so. I for one have seen quite a few during the last few days. Why are they more evident this month than any other?
Anyone out there have experience with dogs being bitten? I've been trying to teach my dogs to avoid them when we see them. But I worry curiosity may
get the better of them if I'm not around. Some threads refered to "rattlesanke avoidance class" for dogs. I had never heard of that. Anyone done it?
i'm curious as to what they do to teach the dogs to steer clear of snakes.
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JZ
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Good topic, I'd like to understand why they are out more also. I saw more last Spring then ever.
Last week I was riding on the trails around SoCal and rode right over one. It scared the sh@t out of me!
About two years ago my dog was bit by something. Not sure if it was a snake or spider. He is about 105 pounds, so a big dog. The nanny's kids took
him for a walk, so I didn't see what happened and I don't think they knew he was bitten. I was traveling for work and came home late at night. He
was just laying down acting like he didn't feel good. He's not a super active dog and I thought the was just sore from walking a lot more then he
normally would. The next day he was still just laying there, obviously not feeling good. I then noticed something wrong with his leg about 4-5
inches up. It was very raw. Took him to the vet. They sent me to someone who focuses on bites. They put him in a hyberbaric (sic?) chamber several
times. His skin around the bite basically fell off and you could see the raw insides of his muscle. It took a while but he totally healed up.
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Sharksbaja
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Hibernation is over when the ground starts warming up. The farther north,the later they emerge. Were still getting snow above 2500 ft here so all the
rattlers are still sleeping.
That bite doesn't sound like a snakebite Rather a spider. Necrosis is more common with recluse or black widows where the venom is concentrated around
the point of injection. Snakebites will affect the whole leg if not the whole body. When I got bit my head swelled up as big as a basketball and my
toes looked like big ripe black plums  and I was just a kid!
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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Pompano
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I have spotted 2 so far this month...on the blacktop
Since spring is here and lots of Baja lovers are out and about in the desert, some snake info might be helpful:
All the dogs I have ever had in Baja managed to avoid any contact with snakes. We hunt doves a lot with some
German shorthairs and they will avoid the critters like the plague. Some training certainly helps, but mostly it is an inbred caution with dogs and
snakes. A book by John Wolter might still be in print about dogs and snakes...you could search Google. A snake kit for the dogs (and us humans!) is
always a good thing
Rattlesnakes are seen most frequently during the spring when they are coming out of hibernation and in the fall when they are returning to their
dormant homes for the cold winter months.
In the desert, when temperatures are high, rattlesnakes become more active at night. Rattlesnakes have no control system for their body temperature
and cannot handle excessive heat, so they remain underground during the day, hidden in burrows, under rocks or in the shade of shrubs. In the spring
and autumn, when daytime temperatures are milder than summer months, rattlesnakes are seen sunbathing on rocks or hunting for food during daylight
hours.
Spring is one of the most beautiful times of the year in the desert, but it can also be a time for caution. Rattlesnakes lie dormant during the cold
fall and winter months and awaken from hibernation in the warm months of March and April.
Rattlesnake Statistics
Approximately 8,000 people a year receive venomous snakebites in the U.S., 9-15 victims die. (FDA)
25% of adult rattlesnake bites are dry, with no venom injected. (Brown, 1997)
Rattlesnakes can only strike a distance equal to 1/2 their own length
Symptoms of a Rattlesnake Bite:
One or two puncture marks
Pain, tingling or burning at the area of the bite
Swelling at the area of the bite
Bruising and discoloration at the site of the bite
Numbness
Nausea, weakness and lightheadedness.
Difficulty breathing
First Aid for Snakebites
(This first aid for snakebites information was provided by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Red Cross)
According to the American Red Cross, these steps should be taken:
Wash the bite with clean water and soap.
Immobilize the bitten area and keep it lower than the heart.
If the bite is on the hand or arm remove any rings, watches or tight clothing.
Get medical help immediately.
Most bites don't occur in isolated situations where the victim may be a long distance from medical help. Some medical professionals, along with the
American Red Cross, cautiously recommend two other measures:
If a victim is unable to reach medical care within 30 minutes, a bandage, wrapped two to four inches above the bite, may help slow venom. The bandage
should not cut off blood flow from a vein or artery. A good rule of thumb is to make the band loose enough that a finger can slip under it.
A suction device may be placed over the bite to help draw venom out of the wound without making cuts. Suction instruments often are included in
commercial snakebite kits.
How NOT to treat a rattlesnake bite:
Snakebite first aid methods are not always agreed upon by U.S. medical professionals, but they are nearly unanimous in their views of what NOT to do.
NO ice or any other type of cooling on the bite. Research has shown this to be potentially harmful.
NO tourniquets. This cuts blood flow completely and may result in loss of the affected limb.
NO electric shock. This method is under study and has yet to be proven effective. It could harm the victim.
NO incisions in the wound. Such measures have not been proven useful and may cause further injury.
Lastly, if you do have to kill one, you are in luck...they are delicious!..but cook it first..not like these guys.
(I have posted this old rattler photo before on Nomads, but I couldn't resist this opportunity.  )
[Edited on 4-9-2007 by Pompano]
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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Cameron
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Location: Todos Santos / Seattle WA
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Rattlers, Springtime, and Short Shorts!
| Quote: | SWEET shorts, Pompano! 
Have you still got those hanging around, waiting for a "Seventies Party" maybe???
Cameron
Lastly, if you do have to kill one, you are in luck...they are delicious!..but cook it first..not like these guys.
(I have posted this old rattler photo before on Nomads, but I couldn't resist this opportunity. ) |
[Edited on 4-9-2007 by Cameron]
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Halboo
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If the lizards are out so are the snakes.
My dogs went to rattlesnake avoidence twice (which is recommended) it was a year between the classes; the second time, when we got to the park where
it was being held they were just setting up and one of the handlers was moving the snakes around. One of them buzzed and both of the dogs started
freakin' and did not want to even start the course or get anywhere near the things.
A few months later we were up at my cousin's rancho, came around a corner and encountered a small rattler; they both groweled and began walking
backward.......
A buddy of mine almost lost his dog to a bite and it cost him a couple grand to save the dog.
It's cheap insurance for sure.
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Pompano
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Good guess, Cameron!...it was indeed in the seventies in the Badlands. 1975 to be exact...but no, they have gone the way of my flared bell
bottoms....and unfortunately I couldn't quite fit into those anymore either!
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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Sharksbaja
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Posts: 5814
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How NOT to treat a rattlesnake bite:
Snakebite first aid methods are not always agreed upon by U.S. medical professionals, but they are nearly unanimous in their views of what NOT to do.
"NO ice or any other type of cooling on the bite. Research has shown this to be potentially harmful.
NO tourniquets. This cuts blood flow completely and may result in loss of the affected limb.
NO electric shock. This method is under study and has yet to be proven effective. It could harm the victim.
NO incisions in the wound. Such measures have not been proven useful and may cause further injury. "
----------------
Yeah, they knew very little about treating bites in the sixties. They did all the above with exception to electric shock. They probably would have
done that also but by the time I received med help it was too late for anything help except for antivenom. Not much around back then. I was fortunate
enought to be treated bt Dr Keibler. The only expert in SoCal at the time.
Odd thing about the symptoms. I had no idea I was even bitten till I lifted my leg up and lo and behold. It felt like a twig had scratched me. No
pain at that time. In fact, I felt completely numb only minutes after being bit. The pain(much) came later during recovery. Felt like I had broken my
ankle. Could not walk on it for weeks. Be careful please.
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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David K
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In 'Bajo California: The Limit of Time' (a movie), 'Arce' of San Francisco de la Sierra helped Damian's bite with slices of cactus (fleshy part
against bite)... I think it was pitahaya? Anyone else know if this was legitamate local theropy or the cactus variety?
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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cardon man
check your u2u
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Cardon Man
Super Nomad
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Thanks bajaguy. u2u back at ya.
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Cardon Man
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Cascabel
An interesting observation on a recent snake sighting...yesterday, we saw 2 rattlesankes coiled together in mating ( I assume ). The two snakes were
reared up like cobras with a good portion of their bodies lifted high off the ground. They were swaying very close to each other, side by side and at
times coiling together. We watched for a couple of minutes before we decide to keep the dogs moving away from the scene. Fascinating behavior to see
in the wild.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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cardon man
check u2u....again
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ursidae69
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Location: Youngsville, NM
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cardon Man
An interesting observation on a recent snake sighting...yesterday, we saw 2 rattlesankes coiled together in mating ( I assume ). The two snakes were
reared up like cobras with a good portion of their bodies lifted high off the ground. They were swaying very close to each other, side by side and at
times coiling together. We watched for a couple of minutes before we decide to keep the dogs moving away from the scene. Fascinating behavior to see
in the wild. |
You're describing two males competing for a territory or female. I've seen that once in my life and it was very cool. 
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Cardon Man
Super Nomad
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Ursidae69...It was indeed cool to see those snakes behaving in such a way. I knew as I watched that it was a unique thing to see. I only wish we could
have observed them at length but with the dogs along I figured we'd better leave those snakes to do their business. Very impressive reptiles!
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Pompano
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Male rattlesnake mating competition
Cardon Man & ursidae69, you are both fortunate to have witnessed this seldom-seen event.
I found this photo of another rattler competition ritual. Seems like the one who gets his head above the other wins the right to mate. Hey, we
can find Animal Planet and Discovery right here on Nomads!
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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Skeet/Loreto
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Sweetwater Texas "The Rattlesnake Capitol of the World"--Each year in March the Annual Rattlesnake Roundup occurs, 30 to 40 Thousand People Show up.
On the little 100 acre Farm where I was born has the Largest Rattlesnake Den in the World, where as a Kid I watched my Father and the other Farmers
drag Rattlers out of the Den by the 100's- Rattles had a Bounty of $.50 cents each at that time.
While living in Loreto I had a small operation going whereby I Skinned and Tanned the Hides and sold for $5.00 a Foot to an Operation in Farmers
Branch Texas.
If you are really interested in Rattlers and lots of them, go East out of Cuidad Constitution , work the Arroyos where their is Debris and you can
gather as many as you can haul in your Pickup. Use Common Sense,and a long Forked Stick or a RattleSnake Catcher produced and Sold at the Roundup in
Texas. If you need to transport before Killing and Skinning, take the Snake by the Head, forced the mouth open, drain the Venom, then remove the Fangs
and Sacks with a Pair of Needlenose Pliers.
Hang from the Head, cut up the belly and Skin, soak for 46 hours in Avon Skin so Soft, spread and clip to a board and dry.
My Dogs have a very different Bark when a Rattler is in the Area, they will not aapproach within Strikeing Distance.
When Hunting: Wear Knee High Boots, keep away from Debris around the roots of Trees
Do not climb Rock facings, if you do climb, use a stick to check out holes from a distance.
Carry a SnakeBite Kit as recommended by the Instructors First Aid Kit Manuel and use as Directed- Do not Panic and start Running!!!
Try smoking the Meat over Charcoal- It is Great!!
Skeet/Loreto
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Halboo
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| Quote: |
Try smoking the Meat over Charcoal- It is Great!!
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One of my old compas from Chimaltitan claims dry smoked carne de cascabel prevents heart attacks.
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Cypress
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Something like boney potato chips comes to mind.
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Skeet/Loreto
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While living in San Nicolas I had the Stomach Flu. Enrique Murrillo's Wife mixed up a Potion of Dried Crushed Rattlesnake Bone, Goat Poop, and a small
amount of Marijuna(DOPE} Worked Great--Stomach problem went away in about an Hour.
Skeet
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