Mojave Greens, Sidewinders, rattlers − the Mojave Desert is writhing with native snake species. Some, like the California Kingsnake and gopher snake, are harmless; others, like the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake, are not.
Though early in the season, a 25-year-old Costa Mesa mountain biker died after being bitten Feb. 1 as he stopped along a trail in Irvine, according to ABC. He apparently lost his balance and fell into brush and was bitten on the leg; he died March 4, and his family has launched a GoFundMe campaign.
Rattlesnakes in Southern California go after pets just the same.
It was a rattler that got Kelly Anderson’s 13-pound terrier one mid-day afternoon in April 2024 in Piñon Hills. Anderson and the long-haired pup, Syd, were working around his land weeding and tidying up when the shrill bark echoed through the juniper, a dog-owner’s worst nightmare.
Syd was struck by a diamond-headed rattlesnake and rushed to the closest hospital where she received immediate treatment.
Syd did not have a rattlesnake vaccine in her system but was lucky enough to be rushed to a clinic right away, Anderson told the Daily Press. Trying to MacGyver a makeshift tourniquet or suction out the poison would have taken crucial time away from medical treatment for Syd.
One hour and an emergency antivenom injection later, Syd lived to tell her story.
Horror story tangos between rattlers and High Desert pets resurface each summer season. The rattlesnake vaccine and snake avoidance training for dogs are two of the most effective ways to ensure your pooch stays upright and safe from snakes this season.
Snake season in the High Desert
Once desert chills give way to sunbaked roads and triple-digit days, venomous visitors make their presence known, typically from late April to October in the High Desert. This year is experiencing a warmer winter than usual; however, with temperatures already flirting with the 90s. It’s prime snake weather now.
Snakes are active not only on backcountry trails but in backyards and walking paths as well. They are livelier during dawn, dusk, and at night in the summer, the prime times for pet walking.
According to Apple Valley Animal Services, any snake can bite if disturbed or frightened but rattlesnakes are venomous. The Mojave Green is the most poisonous rattlesnake in the communities surrounding the I-15 because its venom works quickly to attack the nervous system.
Snakebite prevention from a professional
Kim Dougherty from Apple Valley Animal Hospital administers rattlesnake vaccines. She recommends that owners vaccinate their pets in the early spring before rattlesnake season fully takes over.
The Apple Valley hospital gives about 100 rattlesnake vaccines each year in the High Desert, according to Dougherty. They also accommodate several animals with snake bites per year and had their first case in late winter last year as soon as High Desert temperatures spiked.
The vaccine slows down the venom in dog’s systems, saving the lives of many. Once a dog is bitten, they need to be hospitalized, put on fluids, and given much medication, Dougherty told the Daily Press in 2024.
Being bitten by a rattlesnake is “very scary and very expensive,” she said.
Dougherty strongly encourages desert residents who are active hikers, campers, and river-dwellers to get their dogs vaccinated as soon as possible. After the initial vaccine, Dougherty recommends that pups receive an updated one-shot vaccine on an annual basis.
Dogs bitten by a rattlesnake still need to be rushed to the animal hospital as soon as possible, even if they have the vaccine, veterinary specialist say. The vaccine does not prevent death.
How to avoid rattlesnakes in California
According to Fish and Wildlife, here’s how to stay safe outdoors:
Snake control
Multiple resources exist in the High Desert to keep homes and pets safe from venomous vipers.
High Desert Wildlife Control is a woman-owned business that uses ethical, poison-free wildlife solutions. According to a written statement, they employ the only Certified Wildlife Control Professional (CWCP) in California and the only female CWCP in the United States.
Their other technicians work 24/7, especially during peak rattler season, and never harm the snakes they remove. Instead, the reptiles are checked for health and dehydration before being released to programs like venom research centers, educational programs, or dog avoidance programs.
Additionally, a snake response team was drawn up by the Facebook group High Desert Wildlife of volunteer snake removers in the High Desert. They are listed as follows: name, location, number. Check for insurance and consult volunteer snake trappers at your own risk.
The Palm Springs Desert Sun contributed to this report.
McKenna Mobley is a Daily Press reporter and can be reached at mmobley@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Rattlesnake season hits California early. How to keep yourself, pets safe
Reporting by McKenna Mobley, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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