Things to Think About When Running in Rattlesnake Country

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Things to Think About When Running in Rattlesnake Country

Rattlesnakes Are an Important Part of Nature's Balance

They have every right to live where they do. We are the interlopers, the aggressors so to speak. We are forcing our presence into their neighborhoods and not the other way around. Looking at it from this perspective, one might conclude that rattlesnakes are more tolerant of us than we are of them.

Rattlesnakes Are Not Savage Creatures

They are not bent on attacking human beings, they are generally shy creatures, who merely want to survive in a hostile world inhabited by six foot tall, 200 pound beings who are likely to break their backs with sticks or stones or blow them to pieces with a shotgun. I see no justification for killing any snake in the wild and I will not tolerate anyone who kills a snake in my training group.

I Only Know of Five People Who Have Been Bitten by Rattlesnakes

Only one of those suffered serious consequences, and all of them told me they had stepped on the snake that bit them. The one who suffered serious consequences had to walk 5 1/2 hours to get back to his car and then he had to drive more than half an hour to the nearest hospital. He told me his leg turned black and swelled up like a watermelon. Later it shrank to half its original thickness. But in spite of all this and a two-week stay in intensive care, he was able to run a 50-mile trail race six months later. That doesn't seem that bad to me.

I ask you, "Wouldn't You Bite Some Monster Who Had the Gall to Step on You?"

Rattlesnakes are incredibly tolerant of humans. One runner in my group accidentally pissed on a rattler that he did not see until he was done excreting. If ever someone deserved to be bitten it was him, and yet the rattlesnake, apparently chose to remain concealed, rather than to retaliate. Rattlesnakes, if they were people, would be some of the nicest people I know.

You Need to Learn to Identify Rattlesnakes.

In California, you can be sure that if the snake has a pointed tail it is not venomous. This is not true in other states, for example Florida, Georgia, Texas, Arkansas and others, where Copperheads and Water Moccasins are found. Even newborn rattlesnakes have a rattle segment called a "button" at the end of their tails (never a pointed tail), and adults may have several rattles. Rattlesnakes also have flat and broad, or triangular-shaped heads. The pupils (black portion) of a rattlesnake's eyes are catlike or elliptical, whereas non-venomous snakes have round pupils.

In the back country, you need to be careful where you put your hands and feet, and watch where you sit, squat and step. Most snakes are inactive and hide for protection. Because a motionless rattlesnake in its natural habitat is almost impossible to see, do not put your hands or feet in or on places where you cannot see.

Also, do not count on a rattlesnake to rattle before it strikes, as most rattlesnakes do not rattle unless they are frightened. Some rattlesnakes may not rattle at all. I was bitten by a snake that I neither saw nor heard. I was running rapidly down a very steep and rocky trail. I was the third in line on a trail that was lined with thick spring grass. I felt what I thought was a sharp stick jab me in the front of my shin and then suddenly break away. I thought it was weird that I had not seen the stick nor heard it break under the forward pressure of my shin, but I ran nearly another half mile before I looked down and realized I had two puncture holes in my shin and two streams of blood running toward my ankle.

I Learned Two Things From My Experience

Not all rattlesnakes inject venom when they bite and snakes can strike and hit their target even when it is running by at a relatively fast rate of speed.

I spent five hours in the emergency room before I decided to leave against the doctor's orders. The doctor told me some people take up to seven hours to experience a negative reaction to snake venom and that I should stay until I was out of danger. I was lucky, the wounds were clean and they healed relatively quickly. I had no trouble running 10 miles the following day.

Some Things to Consider

Do not jump or step over logs, rocks, or shrubs. Whenever possible you should run around these obstacles. Also, be careful when turning over logs, rocks, or other large objects, as a snake may be resting underneath or looking for food. When running, watch where you step, stay on the paths or in clearings, and avoid tall grassy areas with heavy underbrush.

Stay at least a body length away from any snake you encounter, until you are certain it is not a rattlesnake. Although rattlesnakes normally can only strike about 1/2 their body length, they can strike farther if they are facing downhill. Most rattlesnakes are not aggressive, but they may move towards you when they are trying escape.