INDEX-TRIBUNE (Sonoma, California) 09 May 08 Rattlesnakes: They're here! Snake season gets under way early (Emily Charrier)
An unusually warm spell in early April seems to have brought out the rattlesnakes. Barbie Hoffman, who humanely traps the snakes, said she has already picked up six rattlers this year.
"They're here," she said.
Hoffman runs Leaping Lizard Rescue, a nonprofit animal rescue that focuses on reptiles. To make extra money for her organization, she learned to trap rattlesnakes, which she collects to release in a safe area. This grandmother of 10 is one tough cookie, often picking up the creatures with her hands, which are protected by Kevlar gloves - a practice she doesn't recommend.
"Don't pick them up. Don't try this at home." she said sternly.
So far this year, Hoffman said she has picked up several rattlers from the top of Carriger Road and Rancho Bonita. She has only found one snake in the flatlands, which was picked up behind the Vallejo Home on Spain Street.
Hoffman is typically available to help remove rattlesnakes from private property, which she does at a cost of $50 (not a bad deal considering a single vial of anti-venom could run as much as $2,000). However, if Hoffman is not available, she had some tips to help herd the creatures away.
Be sure to keep back but know the animals can only strike at a distance of half their body length, which means a 4-foot snake has a striking radius of 2-feet. Do not let your shadow pass over the snake because the movement could cause it to strike. Rattlesnakes hate to be cold or wet, and Hoffman said a quick spray is enough to get the creatures moving, just make sure to herd it away from the property and don't accidentally send them slithering into the house.
"If it's up by your house, spray it with a water hose and it will go away immediately," she said. "They'll just take off as fast as they can go."
Hoffman said the first step to avoiding rattlesnakes is to be sure you're not inadvertently attracting them with bird feeders. Bird feeders spill seeds on to the ground, which attract rodents that in turn attract snakes.
"For those people living up in the hills, don't have a bird feeder unless you want snakes too," she said.
Pet owners need to take special precautions when hiking in the hills with the family dog. Anti-venom shots for dogs may not be enough to save the animal and can cost $600 to $800.
There is a vaccine on the market to protect dogs from rattlesnake bites, which can be obtained at most veterinary offices.
Vintage Kennel Club in Sonoma also offers a rattlesnake avoidance class for pooches. During the class, which uses live, defanged rattlesnakes, the dogs are taught to recognize and avoid the snakes using sight, sound and scent. The class costs $70 for each dog and will be offered Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18. Call 938-1173 for more information or visit www.vintagekennelclub.com to download an application form.
Hoffman can be reached at 939-8621 for rattlesnake pick-ups.
Rattlesnakes: They're here! Snake season gets under way early

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