Hikers Beware! Rattlesnakes on Trails

With warm weather and blossoming wildflowers, spring is a great season to hike, bike and play in the hills and mountains around Mission Viejo.

But it's also rattlesnake season. That season lasts between April and October in California, according to one veterinarian.

The state poison control center says rattlesnakes cause more than 800 bites each year, leading to one to two deaths.

Rattlesnakes have some unusual habits. For one, they know how to swim. For another, they can still poison you after they're dead.

• See a Mission Viejo cyclist and his son confront a rattlesnake in the video above.

If you encounter a rattlesnake, there are a few things you can do to stay safer. And there are a few more tricks to avoid seeing one at all. Here are some tips from the state department of fish and game:

• Never go barefoot or wear sandals when walking through wild areas. Wear hiking boots.
• When hiking, stick to well-used trails and wear over-the-ankle boots and loose-fitting long pants. Avoid tall grass, weeds and heavy underbrush where snakes may hide during the day.
• Do not step or put your hands where you cannot see, and avoid wandering around in the dark. Step ON logs and rocks, never over them, and be especially careful when climbing rocks or gathering firewood. Check out stumps or logs before sitting down, and shake out sleeping bags before use.
• Never grab “sticks” or “branches” while swimming in lakes and rivers. Rattlesnakes can swim.
• Be careful when stepping over the doorstep as well. Snakes like to crawl along the edge of buildings where they are protected on one side.
• Never hike alone. Always have someone with you who can assist in an emergency.
• Do not handle a freshly killed snake, it can still inject venom.
• Teach children early to respect snakes and to leave them alone. Children are naturally curious and will pick up snakes.

Have you ever tangled with a rattlesnake? Tell us in the comments below.