The mountains of Conejo Valley have many scenic trails enjoyed by local hikers, bikers and nature enjoyers. Local trails are shared not only by neighbors, but by wild animals who call the trails their home. Rattlesnakes in Thousand Oaks are most active between April and October, and amid recent bites making headlines, the community has been encouraged to study proper safety measures to take in case of a rattlesnake encounter.
On March 20, a teenage girl sustained a minor injury when bitten by a rattlesnake near the Wendy Drive trailhead. On April 5, KTLA reported an adult male was bitten near the California State University Channel Islands campus in Camarillo, marking the sixth rattlesnake bite reported in Southern California County within a month, according to People Magazine.
Though death by rattlesnake bite is rare and the animal is not classified as aggressive, with about five deaths recorded per year on a national average, two Southern Californians died by rattlesnake bite this March, and a 78-year-old Northern Californian died on April 8.
The Central Coast Snake Services told the Los Angeles Times that unprecedented heat has both inspired nature enthusiasts to spend time outside and also driven rattlesnakes out of their winter retreats early, causing more frequent encounters.
Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency [COSCA] owns and/or manages approximately 12,400 acres of open space and maintains more than 150 miles of trails in Thousand Oaks. Brian Stark, COSCA administrator, advises alertness and trail-safety education. “Staying on trail is the safest place to be,” Stark said.
COSCA cites the official U.S. Department of Agriculture website for rattlesnake safety advice to help avoid a dangerous encounter. Locals are advised to avoid wearing open-toe shoes in brushy areas, avoid tall grass, weeds, and underbrush, check rocks before sitting down and stay aware of their surroundings outdoors. Do not grab what appear to be sticks in water, as rattlesnakes can swim. Do not let dogs off-leash or attempt to touch or handle a snake. Dead rattlers may still inject venom shortly after death.
“We also recommend that if people are out on trails, they not have two headphones in. [When] people are listening to music or a podcast or something, they may not hear the generous warning that a rattlesnake usually provides,” Stark said.
If bitten by a rattlesnake, call 911 immediately. In the meantime, it is advised to move away, remain still, remove jewelry and tight clothing before swelling starts, and sit or lie down so that the bite is in a comfortable, neutral position.
“Get help as soon as possible, but try to stay calm, because you really don’t want to run out back to your car or something, because that circulates the venom in your system. [911 operators] will hop on the phone and get help because our local hospitals will have the anti-venom,” Stark said.
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