Rattlesnake - Sun City Lincoln Hills Community Association

Rattlesnake
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rattlesnake
Crotalus cerastes
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Subfamily: Crotalinae
Genera
Crotalus Linnaeus, 1758
Sistrurus Garman, 1883
Rattlesnakes are a group of venomous snakes, genera Crotalus and Sistrurus. They belong to the
subfamily of venomous snakes known as Crotalinae (pit vipers).
Overview
There are approximately thirty species of rattlesnake, with numerous subspecies. They receive their
name for the rattle located at the end of their tails. The rattle is used as a warning device when they are
threatened, taking the place of a loud hiss as with other snakes. The scientific name Crotalus derives
from the Greek, κρόταλον, meaning "castanet". The name Sistrurus is the Latinized form of the Greek
word for "tail rattler" (Σείστρουρος, Seistrouros) and shares its root with the ancient Egyptian musical
instrument, the sistrum, a type of rattle. Most rattlesnakes mate in the spring. All species give live birth,
rather than laying eggs. The young are self-sufficient from birth. Since they do not need their mother
after birth, the mother does not remain with her young. At least one captive study, however, has
demonstrated females and their neonates show some level of affinity for each other's company and will
cross barriers to reunite if separated.

Contrary to popular myth, rattlesnakes are not deaf. In fact, the structure of their inner ears is very
much like that of other reptiles. They do, however, lack external ears. Sound (whether from air or
ground vibration) is transmitted to the snake's inner ear via vibrations in other body structures.[1]
Range
Rattlesnakes are native to the Americas, with the large majority of species in the American Southwest
and Mexico; Arizona has more species than any other state. Four species may be found east of the
Mississippi river, and two in South America. Evidence has been collected to show the most probable
ancestral area of rattlesnakes is the Sierra Madre Occidental region in Mexico. This same study found
the most probable vegetation or habitat of the ancestral area to be pine-oak forests.[2]
Prey
Rattlesnakes consume mice, rats, small birds and other small animals.[3] They subdue their prey
quickly with a venomous bite as opposed to constricting. The venom will immediately stun or kill
typical prey. Rattlesnake venom can kill in 20 seconds, but a rattlesnake will follow prey that does not
quickly succumb to the venom and attempts to escape. Rattlers are known to strike at distances up to
two-thirds their body length.
Reproduction
Although many kinds of snakes and other reptiles are oviparous (lay eggs), rattlesnakes are
ovoviviparous – the female retains the eggs in her body and they hatch as they are laid or soon
afterwards; or viviparous (give birth to live young). Baby snakes are ready to go as soon as they are
hatched or born.
Rattle
The rattle of a rattlesnake
The rattle is composed of a series of nested, hollow beads which are actually modified scales from the
tail tip. Each time the snake sheds its skin, a new rattle segment is added. They may shed their skins
several times a year depending on food supply and growth rates. Newborn rattlesnakes (pre-button) do
not have functional rattles; it is not until after they have shed their skin for the first time that they gain
an additional bead, which beats against the first bead, known as the button, to create the rattling sound.
Adult snakes may lose their rattles on occasion, but more appear at each molting. If the rattle absorbs
enough water in wet weather, it will not make noise.

Drawing of the rattle
Safety and identification
Young rattlesnake warming itself on the pavement - Del Valle Regional Park, Livermore, CA
Different species of rattlesnake vary significantly in size, territory, markings, and temperament. If the
rattlesnake is not cornered or threatened, it will usually attempt to flee from encounters with humans.
Bites often occur when humans startle the snake or provoke it. Those bitten while provoking
rattlesnakes have usually underestimated the range (roughly two-thirds of its total length) and speed
with which a coiled snake can strike (faster than the human eye can follow). Heavy boots and long
pants reinforced with leather or canvas are recommended for hikers in areas known to harbor
rattlesnakes.
Juvenile southern Pacific rattlesnake in California
Guides are available through booksellers, libraries, and local conservation and wildlife management
agencies that aid hikers and campers in identifying rattlesnakes. The advice given is to avoid contact
with rattlesnakes by remaining observant and not approaching the animals. Hikers are advised to be

particularly careful when negotiating fallen logs or boulders and when near rocky outcroppings and
ledges where rattlesnakes may be hiding or sunning themselves. However, snakes will occasionally sun
themselves in the middle of a trail, so such areas are not the only places where they are encountered.
When encountering a rattlesnake on a trail, hikers are advised to keep their distance and allow the
snake room to retreat.
Bites
A rattlesnake warning sign in California
Rattlesnakes are born with fully functioning fangs capable of injecting venom and can regulate the
amount of venom they inject when biting. Generally they deliver a full dose of venom to their prey, but
may deliver less venom or none at all when biting defensively. A frightened or injured snake may not
exercise such control. Young snakes are also dangerous,[4] and should not be treated with any less
caution than the adults.
Toxicity
Most species of rattlesnakes have hemotoxic venom, destroying tissue, degenerating organs and
causing coagulopathy (disrupted blood clotting). Some degree of permanent scarring is very likely in
the event of a venomous bite, even with prompt, effective treatment, and a severe envenomation,
combined with delayed or ineffective treatment, can lead to the loss of a limb or death. Untreated
rattlesnake bites, especially from larger species, can be fatal. However, antivenom, when applied in
time, reduces the death rate to less than 4%. Between 7,000 and 8,000 people are estimated to have
been bitten by venomous snakes in the United States each year, and about five of those die.[5] About
72% of those bitten by rattlesnakes are male.[6]
Some rattlesnakes, especially the tropical species, have neurotoxic venom. A bite from these snakes can
interfere with or shut down parts of the nervous system. In the U.S., the Mojave rattlesnake (Crotalus
scutulatus) in parts of Arizona and California has a neurotoxic venom component known as Mojave
Type A toxin. The current antivenom, (FDA-approved in October, 2000) known as CroFab, contains
antibodies to Mojave A and B toxins as well as the toxins of most other U.S. pit vipers. Mojave A toxin
has been identified present in the venoms of other species of rattlesnakes on occasion. Neurotoxins
cause neurological symptoms, paralysis, and could result in death due to respiratory paralysis.
The common kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula), a constrictor, is famous for being largely immune to the
venom of rattlesnakes and other vipers,[7] and therefore rattlesnakes form part of this snake's natural
diet in the wild.

First aid
When a bite occurs, the amount of venom injected cannot be gauged easily. Symptoms and swelling
may occur within minutes and potentially become life-threatening rapidly, but in some cases hours may
pass before serious effects appear.
Experienced health workers typically gauge envenomation in stages ranging from 0, when there is no
evident venom, to 5, when there is a life-threatening amount of venom present. The stages reflect the
amount of bruising and swelling around the fang marks and the speed with which that bruising and
swelling progresses. In more severe envenomation cases (stage 4 or 5), there may also be proximal
symptoms, such as tingling lips, dizziness, bleeding, vomiting, or shock. Difficulty breathing, paralysis,
drooling, and massive hemorrhaging are also common symptoms.
Quick medical attention is critical, and treatment typically requires antivenin/anti venom to block the
tissue destruction, nerve effects, and blood-clotting disorders common with rattlesnake venom. Most
medical experts recommend keeping the area of the bite below the level of the heart. It is important to
keep a snake bite victims calm to avoid elevating their heart rate and accelerating the circulation of
venom within their bodies. Untrained individuals should not attempt to make incisions at or around bite
sites, or to use tourniquets, as either treatment may be more destructive than the envenomation itself.
Any bite from a rattlesnake should be regarded as a life-threatening medical emergency that requires
immediate hospital treatment from trained professionals.
Human consumption
Rattlesnakes are a popular food in some southeastern and southwestern American cuisines and are
sometimes sold in specialty meat shops.[8] The flavor has been characterized by one vendor as
"delicate" and "resembling chicken";[9] and by journalist Alistair Cooke as "just like chicken, only
tougher."[10] Others have compared the flavor to a wide range of other meats, including veal, frog,
tortoise, quail, fish, rabbit, and even canned tuna.[11]
Captivity
There are fairly obvious risks with private ownership of rattlesnakes. A bite can cause death or
permanent disability. Even a nonfatal bite can lead to very high costs for emergency medical care.[12]
Some jurisdictions outlaw the possession of venomous snakes. Where it is legal, some form of license
or insurance policy may be required.[13]
As a symbol
The rattlesnake has appeared numerous places through history, most notably on the Gadsden flag, the
First Navy Jack, and Benjamin Franklin's Join, or Die political cartoon.
The rattlesnake is also the symbol for numerous organizations and sports teams, such as the Arizona
Diamondbacks.
References
1. Hartline, Peter H. (1971). "Physiological Basis for Detection of Sound and Vibration in

Snakes". Journal of Experimental Biology 54 (2): 349–371. PMID 5553415.
2. Place, Arron J; Abramson, Charles I. (2004). "A Quantitative Analysis of the Ancestral Area of
Rattlesnakes". Journal of Herpetology 38 (1): 151–156.
3. http://www.desertusa.com/may96/du_rattle.html
4. Scott A. Smith (Fall 2006). "Season of the Snake: Fall Encounters with Maryland’s Reclusive
Reptiles". The Maryland Natural Resource. Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/naturalresource/fall2006/snake.pdf. Retrieved 2010-04-. 24
5. Henkel, John. "For Goodness Snakes! Treating and Preventing Venomous Bites". Reptiles.
USDA / emergency response.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/emergency_response/downloads/health/Appendix%203-6-
E%20Reptiles.pdf. Retrieved 2009-06-15.
6. O'Neil ME, Mack KA, Gilchrist J, Wozniak EJ (2007). "Snakebite injuries treated in United
States emergency departments, 2001-2004". Wilderness Environ Med 18 (4): 281–7.
doi:10.1580/06-WEME-OR-080R1.1. PMID 18076294.
7. Common Kingsnake (DesertUSA)
8. Liner, Ernest A. (2005). The Culinary Herpetologist. Bibliomania. p. 2. ISBN 9781932871067.
OCLC 61458133. http://books.google.com/books?id=KuPdm0uvwV4C. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
9. "What Things Taste Like". exoticmeats.com. Exotic Meats USA.
http://www.exoticmeats.com/docs/ExoticMeats-What-things-taste-like.pdf. Retrieved 2009-05-
14.
10. Cooke, Alistair (1980). The Americans: fifty talks on our life and times. Knopf. p.183.
ISBN 9780394503646. OCLC 5311048. http://books.google.com/books?id=_ERC0phoU0QC.
Retrieved 2009-05-14. "To the goggling unbeliever Texans say—as people always say about
their mangier dishes—'but it's just like chicken, only tenderer.' Rattlesnake is, in fact, just like
chicken, only tougher."
11. Klauber, Laurence Monroe; Harry W. Greene (1997). Rattlesnakes: their habits, life
histories, and influence on mankind. University of California Press. p. 1055. ISBN
9780520210561. OCLC 39523012. http://books.google.com/books?id=4piKSG2sMJoC.
Retrieved 2009-05-14.
12. Kenneth L. Duke, Jr. (September 22, 2006). "My Disagreement with a "Scute"".
VenomousReptiles.org. http://www.venomousreptiles.org/articles/305.
13. "Keeping Captive / Exotic Wildlife". Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game.
http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/wildlife/living/keeping_wildlife.htm. Retrieved 2009-04-19.

Conversation—Local Snake Research
“...it’s important that we protect them and leave them alone.”
Al Roten
Yes, there are
snakes here in Lincoln
Hills. They were here
long before we arrived and they are very
good for our environment. But still, like
many of us, they scare me and I am wary
of them. Since nature’s balance depends
on snakes to keep the population of other
pests in check, it is important that we protect
them and leave them alone. We have
reports that some of our residents walk with
club in hand to kill any snake encountered.
This is the wrong approach. Just be careful
when gardening and leave the snakes alone
and they will do the same for us.
Since we have had several reports of
snake sightings and there is talk about what
kind they are; whether or not they are dangerous;
what good they are; and where and
when we may be most likely to encounter
them, it would be a good idea to provide
more information about snakes we may encounter
in our yards and on the trails.
I went to the Internet and keyed in “California
Snakes,” there are several sites with
lots of snake information and the areas of
the state where they may be found. My research
concludes that there are seven kinds
of snakes that are found in this locale. They
are shown on this page. All are harmless
to humans except for the rattlesnake. All
of these snakes live in grasslands, wooded
areas, and by streams and ponds like our
preserve areas. Their diets consist of small
mammals, birds, lizards, frogs, snails, slugs,
and even other snakes. Accompanying this
article are pictures of each of these breeds.
However, there may be variations in colorization
and some markings from examples
shown.
California Striped Racer: Adults are
usually 30-48 inches long. They are slender,
dark brown to black with pale yellow or
cream-colored stripe on each side of body.
California Striped Racer
They move quickly and are out during the
day searching for prey. They will quickly run
and hide whenever you come near.
Valley Gartersnake: Average size is less
than 36 inches, but they may be over 4 feet
long. Color
may be dark
gray, black, or
brown with a
yellowish stripe
down the back
and along the
Valley Gartersnake
bottom on each
side. Some may have reddish stripes along
with these yellow ones. The head is a little
wider than the neck and there are overlapping
scales that come to a beak over the nose.
The top of the head will be darker than the
body. Underside of body will be bluish in
color. They are primarily active in daylight.
Mountain Gartersnake: Measure 18
to 43 inches in length. They are a medium
sized slender snake with keeled (overlapping)
scales down
the back. Color
is dark olivebrown
or black
with no red
markings. They
have three well-
Mountain Gartersnake
defined light
stripes on the back and sides. Stripes may be
yellow, orange, or white. They are chiefly terrestrial
and are active in daylight. They will
quickly hide in shrubbery when sighted.
Long-Nosed Snake: Most are 16 to 30
inches long but may grow to 5 feet long.
They are a slender snake with scales and
a head barely wider than the body, which
has a long pointed snout. Most are tricolor
with saddled pattern. Under side is white,
Long-Nosed Snake
which is usually heavily speckled with black
and red from the alternating red and black
saddles. The underside is cream or yellow
colored with no pattern.
California King Snake: Commonly 2.5
to 3.5 feet long. They are smooth and shiny
and are highly variable in appearance. Most
common markings are alternating bands of
black or brown and white or light yellow.
Community Profile
Bands go
all the way
around body.
They are
active during
daylight California King Snake
in cooler
weather and at night, dawn, and dusk when
temperatures are high.
Pacific Gophersnake: Most adults are
4.5 to 5 feet long, but can grow to 7 feet.
They are a large snake with heavily defined
scales, with a narrow head slightly wider
than the neck. Color is straw or tan with
large dark chocolate blotches or saddles
along the back and smaller grey spots on the
Pacific Gophersnake
sides. The back of the neck is dark brown.
They look most like the rattler, but are more
slender, without rattles, and the head is a
different shape. They are active in daytime
and at night in hot weather.
Northern Pacific Rattlesnake: The only
snake that may be dangerous to humans.
Usually 15-36 inches long, they may go to 48
inches. This is a heavy-bodied venomous pit
viper. It has a thin neck and large triangular
head. They too, have heavily defined scales.
They have variable ground color matching
the environment—olive-green, gray, brown,
golden, reddish brown, yellowish, or tan.
They have darker blotches of dark brown
or black down
their back for
the front 2/3
of their bodies
changing
to dark bars
on the body
Northern Pacific
Rattlesnake
July 2006 Compass
and dark and
light rings on
the tail. They
are out primarily at dusk and at night when
weather is hot and during the day in cooler
weather. Each time they shed their skin, a
hard knob is formed at the tail—these become
the rattle. When alarmed, the snake
shakes its tail producing a buzzing which
serves as a warning. They go into hibernation
from October until April.
11

Lincoln Hills Community Forum
Sun City Lincoln Hills Communications and Community Relations Committee
965 Orchard Creek Lane ● Lincoln, CA 95648 ● ccrc@suncity-lincolnhills.com
CRITTER & SNAKE REMOVAL #
Duke Wildlife Control 530-333-0459, or 530-401-2831, Jeff ($150)
www.dukeswildlifecontrol.com
Ramirez Rattlesnake Removal 530-889-2775, cell - 916-201-1524, Len ($N/A)**
www.ramirezrattlesnakeremoval.com
Kay’s Reptiles 530-888-7136, Aaron ($75)***
check Facebook
Sacramento Critter Control 530-889-8406 ($N/A)+
sacramento.crittercontrol.com
Wild Things 530-878-2618, cell - 530-400-5720, Gabe ($0)++
Dave Rich 916-543-8614 ($0)+++
# Most Pest Control Services such as Clark and Orkin do not provide snake removal
services. Call if you are not sure about your service.
N/A = Fee not available.
* No answer when called.
** Len Ramirez would not give an approximate cost, but he does charge a fee. Said, “Refer
to his web site or call him for an estimate.” For very large snakes (over 3 feet in
length) this is your best choice.
*** Hours of operation Mon-Sat 10:00 am til 7:00 pm. Primarily a retail store, so
availability for snake removal is limited. Will come if available.
+ No answer when called. Answering machine says, “There will be a fee.”
++ Primarily an educational service. Can remove snakes but availability limited. No fee but
contributions welcomed.
+++ LH resident. No fee. “If I'm not busy with softball or other activities, I will come
remove any snake any time. I don't do any other critter removal.”
WAO/information as of 04/19/12