Rattlesnakes

[vanofgypsies]

Scared to death of them!!!!! <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0">&nbsp; I've never even seen one in real life before, either.&nbsp; I did some reading up on them so I would know what to expect.&nbsp; I will probably still pee myself if I ever meet up with one, but think I can keep myself from passing out.<br><br>Anyway, do you desert dwelling guys see them a lot?&nbsp; We want to get to Quartzsite and places like that, but I'm so freakin' scared of snakes that everyone makes fun of me.&nbsp; I think I can handle seeing one from many many feet back, but if it's a big fat snake farm out there, I'm going to head back to the beach! <br>

 

[Tincup]

If you're going to Q for the RV show in January, don't worry about them, too cold. &nbsp;They usually don't show themselves until April or May.<div><br></div><div>I've been at the Slabs for 5 years and have seen three, one of them bit me and I ended up in the hospital for 3 days. &nbsp;It was a sidewinder and I didn't see it until after it hit.</div><div><br></div><div>They don't want to be around people anymore than you want to be around them. &nbsp;If you're walking in the desert just be aware of your surroundings and don't stick your hand into holes or under rocks and you'll be fine<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif"></div>

 

[Bear]

<P>I understand your concern, rattlesnakes deserve respect. Just remember in addition to the weather issues that they don't think of us as prey and don't go out of their way to&nbsp; find us, they'd rather not strike us unless they feel threatened. I do wish they were a tad better at their job though, can't tell you that I've ever seen or heard a rattler around my van but can't count the number of times squirrels, mice and such have been pestering about if a door is open for even a moment in some places! </P>

 

[Guest]

I completely agree with tincup and bear on this....I think Bob may chime in on this thread as he is out in the desert far more than anyone I know...but i have seen very few rattlers in my life and live in the desert now. <br><br>The closest I ever had one come to my van was in Gilbert Ray campground just outside of Tucson, AZ....the most I ev r saw was in the spring in an area near Scottsdale, AZ where I was attending a motorcycle observed trials event....there were so many that they considered them part of the course and kept warning about them. it was in a very rocky area.<br><br>I do have friends near Dragoon, AZ who have several in their front yard that they consider almost pets.....apparently they have a territory that they patrol and once you have observed them for a while, you learn what that is and just avoid it or be more watchful in their territories.<br><br>I treat them as I do any wild creature and take into account that I am in their environment and I need to respect and be mindful when I am there....<br><br>

 

[vanofgypsies]

Um, Bri, I think your friends in AZ are insane.&nbsp; Probably nice, but insane. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; jk....<br><br>Tincup....&nbsp; Three sightings and one bite.&nbsp; Not the odds I'd like to hear....<br><br>I like Bear's answer best.&nbsp; No snake sightings! <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br><br>God, you guys, I thought the beach was the place for me, but guess what?&nbsp; Cali has the Pacific Rattlesnake.&nbsp; My fears aren't AS bad as I'm making them sound, but I need to portray more respect than fear or my fears will become a reality.&nbsp; Ugh.<br><br>It's the surprise element with rattlesnakes, so I'm not going to stick my hands in any holes or hang out around rock piles.<br><br><br>

 

[akrvbob]

The danger from snakes is real, but very low. I spend quite a bit of time in walking in the desert (couple hours a day all winter) and I've only seen four rattlers. Of those 4, only one was close enough to strike and get me, and he only rattled. I've been much more worried about my dog going up and sniffing one, but he seems to know they are dangerous and gives them a wide berth.&nbsp; It is my understanding that the risk is much lower in the winter.<br><br>At any rate, the risk from snakes is very, very low. I would guess you are more likely to be struck by lightning. Bob <br><br>

 

[Vern M]

<P>As a life-long outside adventurer (now 78), let me add to what Bob says about snakes - poisonous or otherwise. Respect them, don't take risks and you and they can live in harmony,<BR><BR>Home here is the Arkansas Ozark woods and rocks. We have a few rattlers, but more visible are copperheads and an occasional water moccasin/cotton mouth. And they want no more to do with you than you do with them. Just be vigilant and watch where you put feet and hands when hiking.&nbsp;<BR></P>As to dogs and snakes, I've had only one dog that got bit. She was a Border Collie. Head swelled to twice size for about 24 hours but then the swelling went away and she was back to about normal. My vet cautioned to first remove the dogs collar if they get bit on the head. To avoid choking the animal.&nbsp;As to injury, they will generally survive a poison bite if no complications. Just allow rest and&nbsp;give plenty of fresh drinking water, my vet said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>Now, a later Miniature Schnauzer was another problem. Try as I could in 13 years, I never got her to realize the quiet end of a snake was the danger, not the wiggle end.&nbsp;<br>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Not afraid of snakes but I can scream with the best of 'em if I run up on one unexpectantly.&nbsp; Just went out to my <IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif">mailbox and almost steped on a pair of striped garter snakes making whoppie. Not something I had thought of or wondered about before, I mean, how they make baby snakes. Now I know.<br><b><FONT color=#00ffff>Dragonfly</FONT></b><br>

 

[Guest]

some many years back when i was up in the WV mountains camping/hiking on a sabbatical, i thought i'd take a little nap. it was awful hot. i sat in the second row captains chair reclined with the slide door opened. i had on hike shorts, t shirt and boots. i kind of fell asleep half sitting up with legs stretched out. a little bit later i woke to feel something heavy on my boot. looked down and saw it was a kind of gray cement colored snake crawling across my shoe, probably get out the sun. without thinking, i says to the snake "what the heck, get outa here" and picked it up, tossed it out the door.&nbsp;<div>i felt bad about it then as i was still groggy. went out in grass picked it up and put in shade of tree.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>later i was telling a man at gas station about it and he said it was a timber rattler or something?&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>i don't care for snakes but its probably likewise so we both keep our distance. i was greener than grass back then, didn't know any better. the Good Lord sure watches out for us.</div><div><br></div><div>you might want to get you a jack russel&nbsp;terrier. i've had a few and they know no fear of this stuff!</div>

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">FYI, Here are some good&nbsp;tips about snakes from down under ...</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://ourhikingblog.com.au/2010/12/9-tips-to-avoid-a-snake-bite-in-the-outdoors.html" target=_blank>http://ourhikingblog.com.au/2010/12/9-tips-to-avoid-a-snake-bite-in-the-outdoors.html</a></p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Bob</p>

 

[mockturtle]

In ten winters in the desert I've only seen four live rattlers.&nbsp; Three were babies [very venomous] that were living under our RV.&nbsp; The other was on a golf course.&nbsp; A lady I played golf with killed one on the 17th hole.&nbsp; Of course, I asked her what club she used.&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; [Answer:&nbsp; A seven iron! Always a good utility club!] &nbsp; <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; While I've never been afraid of snakes, I have a horror of tarantulas.&nbsp; Seen a few of those, too.&nbsp; <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; Also a few scorpions.<br><br>Rattlesnakes are not to be taken lightly.&nbsp; A young lady we knew in Yuma got bitten on the leg exiting her back porch and was in the ICU for several weeks.&nbsp; It was a particularly venomous variety.&nbsp; Principal advice:&nbsp; Look where you're stepping or reaching.&nbsp; Don't go around barefoot. <br><br>Black widows, at night--that's another horror story.&nbsp; I went out with a flashlight one night at our AZ park model and counted nineteen black widow spiders, mostly around the doorways, skirting, under the car and golf cart, etc.&nbsp; They build new webs every night and you never see them during the day.&nbsp; Spraying had no effect on them so I knocked them down and stepped on them.&nbsp; Don't get me wrong, I'm not for killing creatures for no reason at all but when they are a risk to life and limb, they've got to go.&nbsp; <br>

 

[yesican]

<p>Thank you for that Mockturtle.&nbsp; I was making plans to winter in the desert but if black widows are abundant it is not a place for me.&nbsp; One thing about Alaska...NO BUGS in the winter and NEVER ANY SNAKES.&nbsp; I don't mind snakes, but spiders...naw...you can have em.</p>

 

[mockturtle]

<p>Thank you for that Mockturtle.&nbsp; I was making plans to winter in the desert but if black widows are abundant it is not a place for me.&nbsp; One thing about Alaska...NO BUGS in the winter and NEVER ANY SNAKES.&nbsp; I don't mind snakes, but spiders...naw...you can have em.</p>

&nbsp;&nbsp; Most people never see them.&nbsp; When we were in our RV I don't remember encountering them so maybe they like being around wood structures.&nbsp; Every time I got into the golf cart, though, I thought about the possibility there were some hiding under the seat somewhere. <br>

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;I'm not worried about rattlers, and I live in rattler country, save for 2 things:1) My dog.. she'll go after near anything and a rattlers bad news as a chew toy and.. 2) Two legged snakes. Now them's dangerous. <br>

 

[mockturtle]

&nbsp;I'm not worried about rattlers, and I live in rattler country, save for 2 things:1) My dog.. she'll go after near anything and a rattlers bad news as a chew toy and.. 2) Two legged snakes. Now them's dangerous. <br>

You've got <i>that</i> right, Willy!&nbsp; Give me snakes and spiders anytime rather than two-legged perps and predators. <br>

 

[sl1966]

I've camped in the deserts for over two decades and only ever saw one rattler. It was a young one which explains a lot. I still prefer the desert to forests for the simple reason that I can see the tax man coming a mile away and clear out well before he gets to me.&nbsp;<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif"><div><br></div>

 

[lampliter]

Lived in AZ for 3 years and never saw one.<br>

 

[yesican]

<p>Snakes are like bears...if you have a healthy fear, you are safe 99% of the time. Black widows though...for me its not fear...its a phobia...how can one get past that?&nbsp; Those buggars are everywhere!!!</p>

 

[mockturtle]

Regarding black widows:&nbsp; I've only met one person who was bitten by one and she was in sandals in her garage and it crawled into her sandal.&nbsp; She had to have part of her foot amputated but she was a diabetic and that might have had something to do with it.&nbsp; They do stay very hidden during the day and are not going to come out of hiding just to bite you.&nbsp;&nbsp; <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; And they don't come into your house.&nbsp; My sister was bitten by a brown recluse spider in bed in WA years ago and the sore still drains from time to time.&nbsp; I had a spider bite on my leg that took weeks to heal.&nbsp; Those large house spiders are more apt to bite you because they live inside where you live. <br>If a tarantula, 'harmless' though they may be, ever crawled on me I would die outright from shock.&nbsp; To me, they are the creepiest things on the planet.&nbsp;&nbsp; But I admit I am fascinated by them and look at them any time I get a chance. <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; A friend of my mother's once stepped on one and its legs curled up around her foot! <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br>

 

[yesican]

<p>If that was suppose to help Mockturtle, I appreciate the effort.&nbsp; I'm still creeped out by the thought of black widows and other spiders for that matter.&nbsp; I gotta get passed it.</p>