By Kevin Foster
Although rattlesnake sightings are very rare in the SLV community, they do live among us. Rattlesnakes are an important part of the ecosystem and are just as happy to avoid us as we are to avoid them. Many people spend a great majority of time outdoors hiking, biking, jogging, and enjoying outdoor activities and never see a rattlesnake.
Very few people are actually bitten by a rattlesnake, but because the bite is extremely painful and sometimes fatal it’s always good to take extra precautions such as walking or hiking in areas where you can see the path and where you step. When grabbing wood out of a wood pile, do not put your hands in places you cannot see. If you are walking in high brush areas use a walking stick or other devices to wrestle the shrubs to alert snakes of your presence. Wear good hiking boots and long pants. Be careful after dark as well for on a warm night rattlesnakes may be out searching for food. Rodents are the primary food source and will sometimes draw rattlesnakes into our neighborhoods or yards if they find a good food source.
The best preventative action is rodent control and if you come across rattlesnakes in your area, avoid poison bait or traps that use rodenticide. If you use those products you could also be killing bobcats, coyotes, mountain lions, birds of prey and various other natural predators that may consume poisoned rodents. Â If your pest control guy says otherwise, spend some time googling it and learn what is true.
If you do encounter a rattlesnake, take caution and stay away. Do not destroy them or their natural habitat if possible as they are beneficial to our environment.  If you do find one in your yard and you have pets or children and want it removed immediately contact a qualified snake removal professional and keep an eye on the snake from a distance until they arrive.
Snakes hibernate in winter. Early spring, just as they come out of hibernation, through the fall rattlesnakes are most active and dangerous. If you do catch a rattlesnake off guard, give it space and let it go by as you stand still or back away slowly. Don’t try to scare away a rattlesnake because any sudden moves may be perceived as a threat. Leave it be. Rattlesnakes only bite in self-defense and the majority of bites occur when someone or a pet provokes a rattlesnake. A study at the University of Southern California Medical Center analyzed 227 cases of venomous snake bites, covering more than a decade of time, and found that 44% occurred during accidental contact, such as stepping on the animal. More than 55% however, resulted from the victims grabbing or handling the creatures.
Tips to protect your pets.
It’s pretty common for pet owners to worry about their cat or dog being bitten by a rattlesnake. Rattlesnake avoidance class designed to train your dog to fear and avoid rattlesnakes is one way to approach the situation.  One I recommend is www.getrattled.org and their Facebook page has some wonderful videos. There is also a rattlesnake vaccine for pets.  Talk to your vet about the pros and cons of vaccinating your dog or cat with the rattlesnake vaccine. Another helpful tip is to contact your vet and find out if your pet was bitten which local vet carries the vaccine.
Educating your kids.
Get the kids together, discuss what to do if they encounter any snakes whatsoever. Tell them to run and tell the closest adult, immediately. Pull up some online videos to show them an actual rattlesnake. I found that even small children can recognize the tail of a rattlesnake. Also, that sound is something anyone and everyone will always remember as a dangerous animal.
Snakes come into our properties but we live in their mountains so let’s understand, educate and learn ways to coexist.
Ramirez rattlesnake removal sersves the following area:
California Counties: Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, Nevada, Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Humbolt, Butte, Calaveras, Marin, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Solano, Sutter, Yuba, Amador, Yolo, Santa Clara, Colusa, Monterey, Lake County
Hours of Operation 24 hour emergency response
Ramirez Rattlesnake Removal provides fast, safe, and humane rattlesnake removal
In order to ensure the continued existence of rattlesnakes for the valuable role they play in our ecosystem, all snakes are captured alive and relocated to a remote and undisturbed environment.
Contact Info
Ramirez Rattlesnake Removal
Northern California
916-201-1524
(24-hour emergency response)
ramirezrattlesnakeremoval1@gmail.com
License #007-881171
Insured and bonded 
I’ve come across 4 of them in my life here in the Santa Cruz Mountains.I was bit by one in my left hand climbing hills in Los Altos. I spent a few days in the hospital for it back in 1973 ! I shot another one up on the top of Loma Prieta with my 22 Rifle . Another was Basking in the late morning sun beside the trail in Almaden at the reservoir coiled up near a culvert drain. and the last one was crossing Glenwood Drive, a mile from the top as I came home from work on my motorcycle.
Father-in-law had one in his yard last week in Scotts Valley. Montevalle area. Small, well maintained yard in a neighborhood. He took care if it, but others beware. Rattlesnakes are usually kind enough to warn you. Be Careful. DT