It’s rattlesnake season — where you’re most likely to spot one

It’s rattlesnake season, that time of year when things warm up and the male of the species are out and about looking to fight and mate. That means it’s also the time of the year when California Poison Control System gets an influx of calls about snakebites.

According to the system’s medical director, Dr. Rais Vohra, there are hundreds of rattlesnake bites reported across the state each year. The bulk occur in late March into April and May, with some hospitals, those in more rural areas, reporting several bites a week.

“It’s an evolving injury that gets worse over time,” Vohras said at an event outside the Fresno Chaffee Zoo’s reptile house on Friday as part of Rattlesnake Awareness Day.

“Get treatment ASAP.”

Here are some quick facts about what to do if you see the venomous reptile.

How likely are you to see a rattlesnake in the wild?

While there are seven species of rattlesnakes in California, only one — the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake — can be found in the central San Joaquin Valley. The snakes aren’t typically found in super urbanized environments, but they can be seen in more rural places on the outskirts of town or in the foothills.

People working or enjoying recreational activities in those areas have a higher likelihood of encountering the snakes.

They can be out in a field or tucked under a wood piles or in the undergrowth off a trail. Sometimes they’ll just be along the roadside, says Steven Sharp, a Zoological Animal Manager who oversee Chaffee’s snake population.

“They can be found anywhere.”

Rattlesnakes are exothermic, which means they rely on the outside temperatures to regulate body heat. Right now, there’s a good chance the snakes will be out during the day, but as the temperatures pick up, the snakes will become more active in the evenings and night.

Sharp suggests wearing a headlamp or having some other form of light when out on trails at night.

Don’t engage a rattlesnake

Many rattlesnake bites come from people trying to move, or kill, the snakes, Sharp says. Neither is a good idea. While the snakes are known for that distinctive rattle — which serves as good warning of imminent danger — they don’t have to be rattling to bite. A twofoot snake can strike a third of its body distance. If you see a coiled snake, back up, Sharp says. And remember that rattlesnakes can be dangerous even several hours after being fully decapitated. Sharp has heard stories of people being bitten while trying to dispose of what they thought was a dead snake. There are services that can come and safely remove snakes if needed, but mostly Sharp suggests a liveand-let live policy.

“Give that snake some room to be a snake and do its thing.”

What should you really do if you get bitten?

Rattlesnake venom is an evolved form a saliva. In humans, it begins to liquefy the tissue directly surrounding the bike. It can be extremely painful and scary to look at, but tends to be superficial and can heal quickly, relatively speaking, Vohra says.

If treated properly, patients can be out of the hospital within a week and have little or no permanent damage.

“The localized effect,” that is the damage to the tissue directly around the bite wound, “is what we pay attention to.”

In this way, Hollywood has it wrong. Creating a tourniquet to keep the venom from moving into the rest of the body isn’t an effective treatment and cutting off the supply of blood can actually cause more damage to the wound.

A better idea is to create a loose splint wrap to immobilize the area.

Also, don’t try to suck, squeeze or otherwise extra the venom. It doesn’t work that well, Vohra says, and it likely to make things worse, infections being what they are.

Instead, try to keep calm, dial 911 and get medical attention as soon as possible.

Poison control works with area hospitals to be sure rattlesnake anti-venom is readily available when needed, Vohra says.

“The best treatment is only available in a ER.”