Rattlesnakes Happen
Rattlesnakes happen, but luckily there are ways to prevent a bite. When hiking in rattlesnake habitat, always leash pets, wear close-toed shoes, keep one earbud out, and be aware of your surroundings. Also, be sure to teach your children about being safe in rattlesnake habitat.
If you do encounter a rattlesnake, practice the 30/30 rule: back away by 30 feet and give the snake 30 seconds to decide to leave. Repeat as necessary. Throwing rocks or otherwise disturbing a snake only serves to make them defensive. In the case of a bite, call 911 immediately and be prepared to provide an exact location. Meanwhile, keep the bitten area at or below the level of the heart and take off jewelry or other constricting items in anticipation of swelling. Do not cut, suck, or ice the bite area. Keep pets safe by keeping them on short leads, and watching where they sniff or investigate. If a pet is bitten, immediately transport them to a vet and be sure to call ahead to make sure they stock anti-venom.
Remember to report human-wildlife interactions in Jeffco Open Space parks at https://www.jeffco.us/3620/Human-Wild...
Photos by Andrew DuBois