Herpetologists give snake advice

Author: World cup Team

It is spring time in Tehachapi and as the weather warms so do the reptilian neighbors that share this region.

Herpetologists Brendon Mitchell and Tracy Alden are in the process of moving their base of operation from Lancaster to Sand Canyon and recently paid a visit to Canine Canyon Ranch dog rescue in Old West Ranch. They brought along a large variety of venomous and non-venomous snakes to educate ranch owner Leslie Monser and to help inform Tehachapi residents on first aid, prevention, removal, collection and to dispel some prevailing myths that have been mistakenly connected with snakes.

They arrived at CCR around 3 p.m. on a day where temperatures hung around 80 degrees. Just as if it were scripted, they drove into the barn area and came across a 42- inch Northern Pacific Rattlesnake stretched out on the driveway, warming itself on the rocks.

Mitchell and Alden, using a specially designed snake tong, calmly picked the pit viper up, placed it in a special double-lined snake bag and went about their business.

There is no official snake season defined by time of year. However, when temperatures rise to the 65 to 68 degree range for several days, the activity levels of snakes in the area also rises.

Snakes are ectothermic, meaning their body temperature is externally controlled. Their ideal temperature is approximately 82 degrees. They will seek shelter when temperatures rise above that and seek warmth when it drops below (ie. roads, a patio or a rock, surfaces that absorb heat).

Mitchell has been studying snakes and other reptiles for 27 years and has officially been a herpetologist for the past 18 years.

Alden has worked with animal rescues all her life, recently working with exotic felines but for the past four years has studied reptiles exclusively.

They are both very adept at handling venomous and non-venomous snakes and warn those who wish to hunt snakes on their own to educate themselves and to always use the proper equipment.

Both Mitchell and Alden said they have come across families, children included, on the prowl for snakes, but they believe rattlesnake hunting is no place for an amateur.

According to the herpetologists, there are several species of snakes indigenous to the Tehachapi Valley and the surrounding mountains. However, the only rattlesnake in this area is the Northern Pacific rattlesnake (Crotalus virdis oreganus), which can grow to approximately 64 inches in length.

It is distinguished by the scale count on its head (admittedly difficult to determine) and the coloring of its tail stripes, which are black and tan and are nearly identical in size. As with many venomous snakes, its head is more diamond shaped.

Its relative, the Mojave rattlesnake (a.k.a. the Mojave Green) has black and white bands on its tail , but the white bands are two to three times wider than the dark bands.

"Mojave Greens are one of the most passive snakes," pointed out Alden.

She also dispelled the myth that snakes will chase humans.

She said the fastest snake is the California Racer and it has a maximum speed of 6 mph. "We can out walk them," she said.

Mitchell said the Mojave rattlesnakes are found in the desert regions of Southern California. In this area they are found around California City, Mojave, Lancaster and Palmdale.

Both of these snakes, the Northern Pacific and the Mojave, dispense a venom known as a neurotoxin. The main difference between the two is that the Mojave's is more potent.

Mitchell and Alden pointed out there are simple steps to avoid being bitten by rattlesnakes.

First and foremost, be non-aggressive if you should come across a snake. Stay calm, keep your eyes open and back away. The snake is generally as surprised as the human.

Before they use their venom they must first figure out how much of it to use to kill the prey, how much to use to begin the digestion process and how much to retain for defensive purposes.

Humans are generally viewed as non-prey, and hard to swallow. Therefore, the best defense is to stay observant, stay calm and back away. The snake will more than likely retreat as well.

If a rattler is found in a populated area, such as a backyard, and removal is necessary, Mitchell and Alden say that either the snake should be contained (by a trash can) or observed closely while Kern County Animal Control is contacted to have the animal removed.

There are other preventative measures people can take, but Alden said there are no guarantees.

First, cut down the weeds around your property to take away the snake's cover.
Clear the property of piles of debris or branches, as snakes will seek refuge on hot days. Also, be aware of shrubbery such as sage, mesquite and chaparral, because the snakes favor the base of these plants for hiding places.

Other deterrent myths that Alden and Mitchell want to dispel are:
Pigs or geese will not keep rattlesnakes away, nor will horse hair rope and finally, Mitchell laughed when he was told about a company that makes a snake deterrent powder.

"You've got to be kidding," he said.

A friendly, non-venomous snake such as the California King snake (Lampropeltis getulus californiae) is a natural enemy of the rattlesnake and will eat them. Just having them on your property doesn't guarantee an absence of rattlesnakes but it can help.

The Great Basin Gopher (pituophis melanoleucus deserticala) or The King Snake eats mice and rodents. Sadly, The Great Basin is often confused with the rattlesnake because their markings are similar and they mock rattlesnake behavior and mistakenly killed.

Some residents actually request that Mitchell and Alden release the non-venomous snakes onto their property.

The herpetologists point out that even rattlesnakes can do good by keeping the rodent population down. "The environment needs them," said Alden.

Alden said that if you do kill a rattlesnake by decapitation, the head should be buried immediately. She said that the nervous system continues to work up to 30 minutes after death and the head is still capable of inflicting a wound even though it is severed from the body.

She said some people believe the meat of a pit viper is poisonous, but in reality the only poison is contained within glands found in the head and fangs. She said the meat is actually tasty.

Mitchell said that removing the fangs of a rattlesnake does not make it safe. The fangs usually regrow within 24 hours. He said fangs are shed every 10-20 days anyway.

He also said that the amount of segments on a rattle have nothing to do with determining the age of the rattlesnake. The snakes add a segment every time they shed which is three to six times per year and sometimes the snakes have their rattles knocked off.

Both herpetologists agree that first aid is required should someone be bitten.
Stay calm, and get to the hospital as soon as possible. Have someone else drive you, if possible, and try to identify the species.

Tourniquets are not suggested, as they can cause gangrene to the affected area. Attempting to suck the poison out is also ineffective.

The reaction of a bite victim is determined by several factors such as body weight, the amount of injected venom, the species of snake and the victim's immune system.

Alden recommended two books for anyone interested in learning more about rattlesnakes or herpetology in general, the abridged version of "Rattlesnakes" by Lawrence Klauber and the National Audubon Society's Field Guide on reptiles and amphibians.

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