UNION DEMOCRAT (Sonora, California) 09 September 08 Rattlesnake reports are on the rise (James Damschroder)

The mild heat that has permeated the Mother Lode this summer is ideal rattlesnake weather, according to experts.

"Because they are cold blooded, when it's too hot they're not going to come out into the sun," said Judith Alsop, director of the Sacramento Division of California Poison Control. "They prefer medium-warm days."

Local rattlesnake wranglers have had their hands full because of the ideal conditions.

"It's been a busy year," said Robert McBride, local rattlesnake relocater, "way busier than last year."

Some experts have also said that people's reactions to rattlesnake bites have been getting more severe across the Western United States. Alsop said this is most likely due to who's getting bitten and a new serum that is being used to treat bite victims.

"The biggest problems are the victims," Alsop said. "Drunk young men who are handling and playing with snakes are going to get bitten worse than someone who just stumbles upon a snake."

Alsop said that a treatment processed by injecting sheep with venom and then extracting antivenin from the sheep's blood is being used. Previously, the antivenin was being processed by injecting horses with venom, but it was found that a lot of bite victims were experiencing an allergic reaction to the treatment.

"The idea was very good," Alsop said of switching serums. "It just seems like the (sheep) serum might not be as potent. People are having to use more vials of serum, and patients are staying in hospitals for longer periods."

Alsop said a dry spring, like California experienced, can potentially lead to a lot of snake bites.

"When there hasn't been a lot of rain, the snakes can be hungrier, and if you want to give them personality, grumpier," Alsop said.

Rattlesnakes are found all over California, from the coast to the high Sierra.

The Poison Control Center estimates about 800 people are bitten in California every year. Of these bites, one or two deaths occur per year.

"Most bites occur between April and October," said Kyle Orr, California Department of Fish and Game spokesman. "It's when snakes and people are in the most contact with each other."

Despite ideal rattlesnake bite conditions, local hospitals have seen a decrease in bite victims this year.

Sonora Regional Medical Center has had seven rattlesnake bite victims this year, according to Gale Witzlsteiner, hospital spokeswoman.

Mark Twain St. Joseph's Hospital in San Andreas has had six rattlesnake bite patients, hospital Vice President Larry Cornish said.

Both Cornish and Witzlsteiner said that these numbers are average to below average.

If bitten, victims should not "cut and suck," Alsop said. In the past, this method of cutting the skin open where the snake struck and sucking the venom out was commonly practiced.

"No one knows how deep to cut," Alsop said. "They'll end up cutting tendons, nerves or blood vessels."

"If you're within an hour of a hospital, it's better to do nothing instead of making the situation worse," she said.
Rattlesnake reports are on the rise

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