This summer we've seen the problems snakes
can cause on a plane. But what about for your dog on the trail?
Especially if Samuel L. Jackson isn't around to take care of
the problem.
Rattlesnakes are found in every state
in America, not just the rocky desert. Timber rattlers predominate
in the east and the vipers in the Midwest are most likely to
be the Prairie Rattlesnake, found at elevations under 5000 feet.
It is not a particularly aggressive animal (if you have seen
the movie SNAKES ON A PLANE, the cinematic snakes were given
chemicals to make them nasty to humans) but you should treat
any rattlesnake with respect and keep your distance.
A rattler's colors may vary but they are recognized by the namesake
rattle on the tail and a diamond-shaped head. Unless cornered
or teased by humans - or dogs, a rattlesnake will crawl away
and avoid striking. Avoid placing your hand in rocky areas and
crevasses and hiking in areas where the ground cover (weed or
grass) prevents you from seeing the ground. These are all places
where snakes are are likely to hang out.
If you hear a nearby rattle, stop immediately
and hold your dog back. Identify where the snake is and slowly
back away. If you or your dog is bitten, do not panic but get
to a hospital or veterinarian with as little physical movement
as possible. In many cases the rattlesnake might give "dry
bites" where no poison is injected (got to save that for
a meal), but you should always check with a doctor or veterianarian
after a bite even if you feel fine.
An anecdote that demonstrates that you
can find rattlesnakes just about anywhere but a bad encounter
doesn't mean you or your dog is a goner. In Palisades State Park
in New Jersey (within sight of New York City) a dog happened
upon a rattlesnake and tried playing with it - as dogs are wont
to do - before his owner could reach him. The dog was bitten
and in panic ran off. It took an hour to find the scared dog
and begin the trip to the veteriarian. Due to the long delay,
the dog was forced to lose a leg but was otherwise fine.
Keep in mind that snakes fill an important
function in the ecosystem; without them we would drown in mice
and other rodents, so there is no reason to harm them. If you
anticipate hiking extensively in remote areas there are professional
snake-avoidance trainers who can "snake-break" your
dog - train her to stay away from rattlenakes.
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