SAN MATEO COUNTY TIMES (California) 28 June 06 Snake outbreak in East Bay foothills rattles park rangers (Matt O'Brien)
Hayward: Rattlesnakes are making themselves known in the East Bay foothills this summer — more so than usual, some park rangers say.
"We caught two this weekend down around our picnic area, so we relocated them out in the back country," said Ron Mueller, supervisor for Garin Regional Park in Hayward. "Normally, we come across two or three each year. So far this year, we've come across seven."
Mueller speculated that two rainy and prolonged winters brought more grassy forage for small rodents to feed on. With so many mice available to devour, the snakes might have produced more offspring, he said.
While the snakes prefer the remote outcroppings and low brush of the sun-baked foothills, they have been slithering down to drink at popular picnic spots along Dry Creek and Jordan Pond.
One local park goer picked up a rattlesnake on Sunday and brought the agitated creature to a ranger — a bad idea, park officials say.
Probably the best thing to do is stay on the trails, Mueller said. If there is a snake there, chances are you'll probably see it."
Or hear it, he added. The snakes will rattle when humans approach, and they only attack if they are cornered and have no other escape route.
Rattlesnake bites remain a very rare problem, rangers said. Mueller cannot recall any incidents in his many years at Garin Park, part of the East Bay Regional Park District.
And while some parks are logging an especially high number of rattlesnake sightings this month, others are not.
Eric Willyerd, general manager of the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, said rangers who maintain Hayward area trails have spotted few of the snakes in recent weeks.
"We haven't seen many of them, and that's the way we like it," Willyerd said. "But I understand Contra Costa (County) is getting inundated."
Rangers offered some advice:
-Stay on the trails and away from heavy undergrowth and rocky areas.
-Don't poke with a stick or otherwise agitate rattlesnakes.
-If bitten by a rattlesnake, notify the closest park ranger, call 9-1-1 or, if those options don't work, get a ride to the nearest hospital for immediate treatment.
Snake outbreak in East Bay foothills rattles park rangers