Monitoring Monday – Safety Around Wildlife
Join us Mondays as the Clean Water Team shares information and resources on water quality monitoring. This Monday we will look at safety around wildlife.
RATTLESNAKES
Generally, not aggressive, rattlesnakes (Crotalus spp.) strike when threatened or deliberately provoked, but given room they will retreat. Most snake bites occur when a rattlesnake is handled or accidentally touched by someone walking or climbing.
Rattlesnakes can’t regulate their temperatures, so they look for sunny spots to warm up after a cool night. A bare sunny trail or open space is a perfect sunning spot, so stay alert when walking in the cooler parts of the day.
When it’s really hot, rattlesnakes need to find sheltered places out of the sun to keep from overheating: shady places along or under logs, rocks, heavy shrub or woodpiles, even the foundations of buildings.
While they can be out any time, rattlesnakes are most active in the morning and from dusk into the night. They hunt mice and rodents in darkness because they can sense body heat with special organs on their face.
Rattlesnakes are most active during the hot summer months at dawn and at dusk, though they can be encountered at all hours. Generally not aggressive, rattlesnakes strike when threatened or deliberately provoked, but given room they will retreat. Most snake bites occur when a rattlesnake is handled or accidentally touched by someone walking or climbing. The majority of snakebites occur on the hands, feet and ankles.
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How do I keep from being bitten?
A California study found two-thirds of rattlesnake bites were on the hand or arm, and 80 percent of victims were young men. Most bites occur from handling or accidentally touching snakes.
- Don’t pick up or get close to snakes.
- Look at your feet to watch where you step and do not put your foot in or near a crevice where you cannot see. Step on, not over, large rocks or logs.
- Don’t put your hands where you cannot see.
- Stick to trails, avoid tall grass and heavy underbrush where snakes may shelter out of the heat.
- Wear appropriate over-the-ankle hiking boots, thick socks, and loose-fitting long pants. Never go barefoot or wear sandals when walking through wild areas.
- Rattlesnakes can swim, so be careful about grabbing what look like sticks or branches in lakes and rivers.
What to do if you encounter a rattlesnake.
- Remember rattlesnakes do not always rattle before they strike!
- Remain calm and do not panic. Stay at least 5 feet from the snake. Make sure to give it plenty of space.
- As a rough rule of thumb, a rattlesnake can lunge about two thirds of its body length. It's a good idea to stay as far as possible from any rattlesnake, aim for at least 10 steps away, to ensure safety no matter which direction the snake moves.
- Do not try to kill the snake. Doing so greatly increases the chance the snake will bite you.
- Do not throw anything at the snake, like rocks or sticks. Rattlesnakes may respond to this by moving toward the person doing the throwing, rather than away from them.
- Alert other people to the snake's location. Advise them to use caution and to respect the snake. Keep children and pets away from the area.
- Keep your dog on a leash when hiking or camping. Allowing your dog to roam around increases the chance the dog will find a snake and get bitten.
- If you hear a rattle, don't jump or panic. Try to locate where the sound is coming from before you react, so you don't step closer to the snake or on top of it.
Identifying a rattlesnake.
- Gopher snakes are often mistaken for rattlesnakes because when alarmed, gophersnakes hiss and vibrate their tails and are similarly patterned. A rattlesnake's tail is wide and blunt — and tipped with a rattle, of course — while a gophersnake's tail is slender, pointed and lacks a rattle. Rattlesnakes also have broad, triangular-shaped heads and vertical eye pupils, while non-venomous snakes have longer snouts and round pupils.
- A rattlesnake has a distinctive triangular shaped head, with a tapered neck and thick body, large scales, and (unless they lose it, which they can) a rattle at the tail.
- If you can't identify the snake from a distance, leave it alone and treat it as if it were venomous.
First Aid
A bite by any rattlesnake can be very dangerous without immediate medical treatment.
Don’t
- If bitten by a rattlesnake DO NOT:
- Do not make incisions over the bite wound.
- Do not restrict blood flow by applying a tourniquet.
- Do not ice the wound.
- Do not suck the poison out with your mouth.
- These methods can very well cause additional harm and most amputations or other serious results of a
- rattlesnake bite are a result of icing or applying a tourniquet.
Do
- Stay calm.
- Call Dispatch via radio or 911.
- Wash the bite area gently with soap and water if available.
- Remove watches, rings, etc., which may constrict swelling.
- Immobilize the affected area.
- Keep the bite below the heart if possible.
- Transport safely to the nearest medical facility immediately.
COYOTES
Coyotes (Canis latrans) are found through most of California. The California Department of Fish and Game estimates a population range of 250,000 to 750,000 individuals. Coyotes are very adaptable and inhabit most areas of the state with the exception of the centers of major metropolitan areas. During the time of the year when adult coyotes are caring for young (May-September), they can be very aggressive.
If you encounter a coyote – and it sees you:
- Keep a safe distance.
- Frighten coyotes with loud noises. Clap hands, make noise (e.g., whistle, noisemaker), and allow it to move away on its own.
If you encounter a coyote – and it approaches you:
- Do not run from a coyote.
- Make yourself look bigger by lifting and waving arms.
- Make noise by yelling, using noisemakers, or whistles. If small children are present, keep them close to you.
If you encounter a coyote – and it attempts to attack a person or pet:
- Get to a safe location.
- If a person was bitten or scratched by the coyote, call 9-1-1 and seek medical attention. Notify the nearest CDFW office after contacting local authorities. Also report aggressive, fearless coyotes immediately.
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MOUNTAIN LION
Mountain lions aka puma, cougar... (Puma concolor) are typically solitary and elusive, and typically avoid people. Few sightings result in a mountain lion being identified as an imminent threat to public safety.
Mountain lion attacks on humans are rare. Statistically speaking a person is 1,000 times more likely to be struck be lightning than attacked by a mountain lion. Since 1890, there have been less than 50 verified mountain lion attacks on humans in California; of that, only six have been fatal. In most cases the person was lone when the attacked occurred.
Follow these guidelines to stay safe:
- Do not jog or hike alone. Go in groups with adults supervising children.
- Make your presence known. Make noise, sing, talk loudly, or wear a bell.
- Hike during daylight hours and stay on established trails.
If you encounter a lion, remember the goals are to convince it that you are not prey and that you may be dangerous. Follow these safety tips:
- If you spot a mountain lion and the animal is unaware of you, alter your route so that you will move away from its area.
- Do not approach a lion. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
- Do not run from a lion. Remain calm. Hold your ground or back away slowly. Running may stimulate a mountain lion's instinct to chase. Instead, stand and face the animal.
- Make eye contact. Continue facing the mountain lion, and maintain eye contact.
- Do not crouch down or bend over. A human standing up is just not the right shape for a lion's prey. Conversely, a person squatting or bending over resembles a four-legged prey animal. In mountain lion country, avoid squatting, crouching, or bending over, even when picking up children.
- Do all you can to appear larger. Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you are wearing one. Throw stones, branches, or whatever you can reach without crouching or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice. The idea is to convince the mountain lion that you are not prey and that you may be a danger to it.
- Fight back if attacked. Use rocks, jackets, sticks to turn away the mountain lions.
- Report any mountain lion encounters or incident to the Fish and Wildlife Office.
- If a person was bitten or scratched seek medical attention.
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BEAR
Black bears are the only wild bears in California. There are two subspecies of black bears recognized in California: The northwestern or Olympic black bear (Ursus americana altifrontalis) in the northwest corner of California, and the California black bear (Ursus americana californiensis) throughout the rest of California. Despite their name, black bears can be brown, tan, gray, or black. And despite their size and fierce reputation, black bears are rather timid, using their claws to climb trees and dig instead of for capturing prey. Bear attacks are rare; most bears are only interested in protecting food, cubs, or their space.
Be prepared.
- Know the area your hiking and your surroundings on the trail.
- Hike and travel in groups.
- Carry bear spray and learn how to use it properly. This does not take the place of preventing conflict.
Be proactive.
- Make your presence known (e.g., talk loudly, whistle) – A scared or startled bear may react defensively.
- Watch for bear sign along trails – Scat, tracks, and stripped bark off trees.
- Avoid areas where animal carcasses or den sites are observed.
If you encounter a bear - and it does not see you:
- Keep a safe distance. Back away slowly.
- Let the bear know you are there. Make noise by yelling, clapping hands, use noisemakers, or whistle.
- Do not run. Do not make eye contact.
- Leave the area or take a detour. If this is impossible, wait until the bear moves away. Always leave the bear an escape route.
If you encounter a bear – and it sees you:
- Keep a safe distance. Back away slowly.
- Do not run.
- Make noise by yelling, using noisemakers, or whistles.
- A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack. Never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitched squeal.
- Make yourself look bigger by lifting and waving arms.
- Do not make eye contact. Let the bear leave the area on its own.
- If the bear is stationary, move away slowly and sideways; this allows you to keep an eye on the bear and avoid tripping. Moving sideways is also non-threatening to bears.
- Bears may also react defensively by woofing, yawning, salivating, growling, snapping their jaws, and laying their ears back. Continue to talk to the bear in low tones; this will help you stay calmer, and it won't be threatening to the bear.
If you encounter a bear – and it approaches you:
- Keep a safe distance. Back away slowly.
- Make yourself look bigger by lifting and waving arms.
- Make noise by yelling, using noisemakers, or whistles.
- Do not run. Do not make eye contact. Let the bear leave the area on its own.
- Carry bear spray and know how to use it properly.
If a black bear makes contact - fight back. Then call 9-1-1.
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Disclaimer:
The information provided in this message are for general informational purposes only. Any information about providers and services contained on this website does not constitute endorsement or recommendation.
REFERENCES
Bigfoot warning www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2023/06/30/false-claim-federal-agency-posted-bigfoot-warning-in-az-fact-check/70372237007/
California Black Bear https://lpfw.org/our-region/wildlife/california-black-bear/
California Rattlesnakes https://californiaherps.com/identification/snakesid/rattlesnakes.html
Coyotes https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/mendocino/learning/nature-science/?cid=FSBDEV3_004458&width=full
CoyoteSmarts www.coyotesmarts.org/what-to-do/
Bear Safety Tips: BEAR ENCOUNTERS https://bearwise.org/bear-safety-tips/bear-encounter/
How to stay safe if you encounter a rattlesnake this spring or summer - https://wildlife.utah.gov/news/utah-wildlife-news/1393-how-to-stay-safe-if-you-encounter-a-rattlesnake.html
Human-Wildlife Conflicts Program https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Laboratories/Wildlife-Health/HWC-Program
Keep Me Wild: Black Bear https://wildlife.ca.gov/Keep-Me-Wild/Bear
Keep Me Wild: Coyote https://wildlife.ca.gov/Keep-Me-Wild/Coyote
Mountain Lion Safety https://www.nps.gov/articles/mountain-lion-safety.htm
Mountain Lion Safety Information https://www.glendaleca.gov/government/departments/police-department/community-outreach-resources-and-engagement-c-o-r-e/animal-control-wildlife-safety/mountain-lion-safety-tips
Mountain Lions in California https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Mammals/Mountain-Lion
Rattlesnakes https://calpoison.org/about-rattlesnakes
Run into a coyote in your California neighborhood? Here’s what to do (and not do) https://www.sacbee.com/news/environment/article269620701.html
Snake Safety www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5393596.pdf
Snakes on a Trail: Tips for Hiking in Rattlesnake Country https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/learn/blog/park-blogs/snakes-on-a-trail-tips-for-hiking-in-rattlesnake-country
Staying Safe Around Bears https://www.nps.gov/subjects/bears/safety.htm
Images - https://en.wikipedia.org/
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