Rattlesnakes and General Hiking Thoughts for Green MountainBelow is a descussion that has become a very popular page on our site. Hope you enjoy the discussion. And if this involves a dog, check: http://www.animalmedcenter.com/news-and-press/article/prevention-and-treatment-of-rattlesnake-bites-in-dogs
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Take care. The tips for rattle snake season include:
- Don't wear sandals - Ditch the ear buds so you can hear the telltale rattle - Don't try to hurry a sunning snake with a stick or rocks - Hike, ride or run with a friend on trails so one person can go for help if the other is bitten - If bitten, limit activity, stay calm and reduce anxiety to limit the spread of the venom |
Hi there, we live in one of the houses bordering the south side of McIntyre Gulch on W. Dakota Ave. My husband was just now running on the trail and was nearly struck by a rattlesnake that barely warned him of its presence in time. We've only been here a year, but we've never seen a rattlesnake this low on the mountain before.
The husband: "I was in mid-stride in the air over the coiled snake when I realized that there was a snake. My front foot landed a couple of inches beyond the snake, I lurched forward and fell well beyond the rattler. He coiled and rattled, I backed off and he went calmly back to resting (and laughing if snakes laugh) on the trail in the sun.
"On my return I gave the snake lots of room. I went into the house grabbed the camera (the one with the large telephoto lens) and snapped a few photos. Beautiful critter for sure." 7-4-2014
The husband: "I was in mid-stride in the air over the coiled snake when I realized that there was a snake. My front foot landed a couple of inches beyond the snake, I lurched forward and fell well beyond the rattler. He coiled and rattled, I backed off and he went calmly back to resting (and laughing if snakes laugh) on the trail in the sun.
"On my return I gave the snake lots of room. I went into the house grabbed the camera (the one with the large telephoto lens) and snapped a few photos. Beautiful critter for sure." 7-4-2014
From a long time neighbor: As for rattlesnakes, this year the park vegetation is taller and thicker than normal because of the wet spring. The pictures show a snake on the trail which I only see when the day is cool. The snakes come out to the trails to warm up on cool days or mornings. Snakes need a cool damp area to live and McIntyre Gulch fits that bill. About 1/2 block north of the 13000 block of Virginia Drive is a year round water supply. I had Green Mountain Water check the water to see if they had a broken pipe and the tests showed it lacked the chemicals they place in drinking water. The water comes out of the ground and flows north to McIntyre Gulch and ends up in the swamp area behind the water tower on S Zinnia Way. This area has two packs of coyotes, a large rabbit population, prairie dog village with the occasional mountain lion, deer or elk.
I personally stay on the trails and do not venture into the weeds in the summer months. I also keep my dog on a leash to keep him out of the weeds and safe. If the day is cool I scan the trail in front of us for snakes. Too many times I have mistaken a stick for a snake and a snake for a stick. I also stay on popular trails which keeps the predators back from the trail. Nothing works better than a lot of humans walking a trail to drive the wildlife away. I also stay out of the park during hunting times. Early morning and late afternoon thru dusk. I never have understood people who walk their dogs in the park at dusk. Bait on a leash.
Lakewood has a regulation preventing killing, harassing or general torment of wild animals. Rattlesnakes are not considered wild animals according to the code. “Wild animal includes any animal native to the state, but does not include rattlesnakes, fish or any species of amphibians, Norway rats and common house mice.”
Residents living on the west end of Ohio have had rattlesnakes near their houses and in the streets. There is something about the area at the west end of Ohio and snakes. There may be a winter den in the area. One resident always beats the flower beds before starting to weed to drive out the snakes.
As for the snakes in the park, the State has a live and let live philosophy - so watch out where you step. Rattlesnakes, raptors, mountain lions and coyotes are a fact of life living in this area. We need to live together and just let people know when a possible danger exists.
I personally stay on the trails and do not venture into the weeds in the summer months. I also keep my dog on a leash to keep him out of the weeds and safe. If the day is cool I scan the trail in front of us for snakes. Too many times I have mistaken a stick for a snake and a snake for a stick. I also stay on popular trails which keeps the predators back from the trail. Nothing works better than a lot of humans walking a trail to drive the wildlife away. I also stay out of the park during hunting times. Early morning and late afternoon thru dusk. I never have understood people who walk their dogs in the park at dusk. Bait on a leash.
Lakewood has a regulation preventing killing, harassing or general torment of wild animals. Rattlesnakes are not considered wild animals according to the code. “Wild animal includes any animal native to the state, but does not include rattlesnakes, fish or any species of amphibians, Norway rats and common house mice.”
Residents living on the west end of Ohio have had rattlesnakes near their houses and in the streets. There is something about the area at the west end of Ohio and snakes. There may be a winter den in the area. One resident always beats the flower beds before starting to weed to drive out the snakes.
As for the snakes in the park, the State has a live and let live philosophy - so watch out where you step. Rattlesnakes, raptors, mountain lions and coyotes are a fact of life living in this area. We need to live together and just let people know when a possible danger exists.
Report Received August 22, 2014
"My walking around is a bit limited right now. Charlie got bit by a rattlesnake this Wed. We were on the Exposition side of Mountainside Park just going down to the street level when a rattler half in the grass and half on the cement struck Charlie on the right side of his muzzle.
"I got him to our Vet in about 25 minutes and a quick IV and administration of anti-venom had good results. He came home that night with the right side of his face swollen and a very sad looking dog. Today the swelling is all gone and he's doing much better. But we're definitely changing our walking route.
"Charlie is the second dog in our neighborhood bit on the walkway around the park in the last 30 days. In addition, a rattler was taken out of the across the street neighbor's house. It was a three footer and Lakewood Animal Control took it out. SO...... WATCH OUT!"
"My walking around is a bit limited right now. Charlie got bit by a rattlesnake this Wed. We were on the Exposition side of Mountainside Park just going down to the street level when a rattler half in the grass and half on the cement struck Charlie on the right side of his muzzle.
"I got him to our Vet in about 25 minutes and a quick IV and administration of anti-venom had good results. He came home that night with the right side of his face swollen and a very sad looking dog. Today the swelling is all gone and he's doing much better. But we're definitely changing our walking route.
"Charlie is the second dog in our neighborhood bit on the walkway around the park in the last 30 days. In addition, a rattler was taken out of the across the street neighbor's house. It was a three footer and Lakewood Animal Control took it out. SO...... WATCH OUT!"
What if I'm in the wild with my dog? August 26, 2014
"The recent article about the dog being bitten by a rattlesnake gave me pause. It sounded like the dog and owner were near the street and so were able to make it to the vet in time. Does anyone have any advice for a snake bite situation far from the road? Would the dog need to be carried or could it walk after the bite? Would a call to 911 be appropriate?"
Editor adds: What if I get bit?
"The recent article about the dog being bitten by a rattlesnake gave me pause. It sounded like the dog and owner were near the street and so were able to make it to the vet in time. Does anyone have any advice for a snake bite situation far from the road? Would the dog need to be carried or could it walk after the bite? Would a call to 911 be appropriate?"
Editor adds: What if I get bit?
Water tank at the end of W. Center Dr.
8-29-2014 Last Summer I saw a rattlesnake above the water tank at the end of W. Center Dr., where the trails go in 4 directions on the hill. The snake was coiled under at bush beside the trail, in the shade, near noon on a very hot day, I didn’t see it, I walked past, it rattled and I jumped forward, looked back and it had its head up, and I was very thankful it didn’t strike. I walked that way once early this Spring before the snakes came out of hibernation. I’ve been walking on the trail above Green Mountain High School where there are many other people and bikes and haven’t seen a snake this Summer. |