Rattlesnake

Beautiful and misunderstood: Rattlesnakes! The word alone fills most people with fear and anxiety, because they have no experience in dealing with snakes. Yet we should learn to appreciate the rattlesnake as one of the most efficient and specialized predators on Earth. Many rattlesnakes struggle to survive as humans move in on their habitat. And some people feel that the only good rattlesnake is a dead one! Read on to discover cool stuff about rattlesnakes and why we need them.

Rattlesnakes are known for their relatively heavy bodies and diamond-shaped heads. They are considered to be the newest or most recently evolved snakes in the world. Rattlesnakes have either a rattle or a partial rattle made of interlocking rings, or segments of keratin, the same material our fingernails are made of. When vibrated, the rattle creates a hissing sound that warns off potential predators. It is an extremely effective and highly evolved predator-avoidance system. Another rattlesnake characteristic is the "pit" on each side of the head, which is a heat-sensitive organ for locating prey.

We’re afraid of being bitten, but remember that snakes bite to defend themselves. If sensing danger, they first try to escape or hide, so be sure to stay out of their way. Different rattlesnake species react in different ways: some remain still, relying on their cryptic coloration for camouflage, while others just glide away silently. If this isn’t an option, they hiss, rattle their tail, and puff up their body to warn off an enemy. The rattle protects intruders from being bitten, while at the same time protects the snake from being stepped on!

Most snakes give a warning before they bite, although they may strike quickly if they are startled during shedding, mating, or giving birth. When out walking in heavy brush or rocky areas, watch where you step or put your hands! Amazingly, rattlesnakes are no match for nonvenomous kingsnakes, which are highly resistant to rattlesnake venom; rattlers are a common food item for kingsnakes.

Although California has a number of rattlesnake species, only four of them are found in San Diego County. While rattlesnakes locally may be found from the coast to the desert, each species varies in color and behavior, depending on their habitat. The reason for this variation lies in evolution: these four species have evolved to fill different niches in different habitats, which limits competition for food. 

Colorado desert sidewinder: Found only in the desert, this is our smallest species. It grows to just over 2 feet (0.6 meters) as opposed to 3 or 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 meters) in the other 3 local species. This rattler occurs the farthest south, from southeastern California, southeastern Arizona, and down the east coast of northern Baja California, Mexico. It has horns just above the eyes that aid in keeping the eyes from being scratched while burrowing. 

The sidewinder gets its name from the way it moves: loops of the body are thrown forward and pressed into the sand so that the snake glides sideways, with only two parts of the body touching the ground at any given time—a special adaptation for living on hot sand or gravel.

Red diamond rattlesnake: San Diego’s largest snake species may be found from San Bernardino and Riverside counties down into Baja California. It is named for its brick red color, but some desert individuals may be pinkish. They all have black-and-white tail bands found just before the rattle. Red diamonds are common in areas with little development, especially near rocky outcroppings. Food consists of anything from small lizards to rabbits and squirrels. 

Southern Pacific rattlesnake: Also called a western rattlesnake, this is the most common species in San Diego and may be found near housing developments, parks, and even the beach. It typically has dark blotches of gray, greenish or yellowish gray, or black. Its range is from coastal Southern California to northwestern Baja California, and is commonly found on prairies or sage scrub/grassland areas, especially near rocky outcroppings. Like the red diamondback, the southern Pacific rattlesnake feeds mainly on reptiles and mammals, as well as birds.

Southwestern speckled rattlesnake: This species is the least seen in Southern California because it tends to be shy and avoids populated areas. It is typically pale gray or yellow-gray. From the foothills of the Cuyamaca mountains to the peaks and down into the deserts to the east, its preferred habitat is granite rocky outcroppings, and it has amazing camouflage, blending in perfectly with the color of the rocks where it lives! It can range into southern Nevada, western Arizona, and into northern Baja California.

Always be alert when out hiking, and move away if you see a rattlesnake. Never try to kill a snake: many bites occur when attempting to kill a rattlesnake. Snakes should never be killed just because you encounter them on a walk. But if a rattlesnake bites you, you must go immediately to a hospital. Never try "home remedies" (none are effective), and do not ignore the bite, just get medical attention. Having a cellphone with an emergency contact number with you when on hikes, or anywhere rattlesnakes may occur, could be your first step in managing a snakebite situation. 

While few snakebites are fatal to people, venomous snakebites should never be left untreated.