A hiker was rescued after being bitten by a rattlesnake on a Southern California trail, the second snake bite emergency in the same area this month, fire officials say.
The Montecito Fire Protection District responded to a report of “an injured hiker who was reportedly bitten by a rattlesnake” on Buena Vista Trail just after 3:30 p.m. Sunday, April 12, the agency said in a Facebook post.
The woman was about “three-quarters of a mile up the trail when she was bitten on the ankle,” officials said.
With inadequate cell service to call 911, she opted to text a loved one, who then contacted emergency services.
Dispatchers managed to speak with the hiker as she made her way down the trail, according to officials. As she had a whistle with her, dispatchers told her to “blow it repeatedly to help first responders locate her.”
Montecito firefighters said they, along with Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue personnel, found the woman, then took her to the trailhead using a Stokes basket and wheel. An ambulance crew then transported the woman to a hospital.
Fire officials said this incident was the second snake bite-related emergency on a Montecito hiking trail this month.
The incident was the seventh recorded rattlesnake bite in Southern California in the past six weeks, according to KTLA. Two of those bites resulted in deaths, including a 46-year-old Moorpark woman who died on March 19 after being bitten in Thousand Oaks, according to reporting from the TV station and The Ventura County Star.
Why rattlesnakes are showing up earlier this year
Rattlesnake activity in California is closely tied to weather. After a winter with good rainfall followed by unusually warm temperatures, conditions were ideal for snakes to begin moving earlier than normal in search of food and mates.
As the Los Angeles Times reported in early April, reptile expert Emily Taylor — who runs Central Coast Snake Services and directs the Physiological Ecology of Reptiles Laboratory at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo — said she has seen 10 to 20 times more rattlesnake-related calls than she typically receives in March.
The warm weather didn’t just wake up snakes. It also drew hikers, bikers, and dog walkers onto trails and into open spaces earlier in the season, increasing the odds of encounters.
Rattlesnakes are technically active year-round in California, but they’re usually less visible during winter. As temperatures warm in spring, experts say there’s a sharp rise in daytime surface activity.
Where you’re most likely to encounter rattlesnakes
Rattlesnakes live in a wide range of California habitats, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, including:
They’re also commonly spotted in parks and preserves, including popular recreation areas and the lower elevations of Sequoia National Park.
The most common rattlesnake species in much of the Central Valley and surrounding regions is the Northern Pacific rattlesnake, which has a triangular head, blotchy brown coloring, and a distinctive rattle at the end of its tail. Wildlife experts say its coloring allows it to blend in with dry leaves and dirt, making it hard to spot.
Despite their reputation, rattlesnakes are not aggressive by nature and usually bite only when they feel threatened or trapped.
“Snakes are actually a really important part of our environment,” a California Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesperson said. “They help keep rodent populations in check, so we want to protect them — and give them space.”
How to safely cohabitate with rattlesnakes
Experts say the goal isn’t to avoid rattlesnakes entirely — that’s not realistic in much of California — but to reduce surprise encounters.
Tips to lower your risk on trails and in parks:
If you hear a rattling sound, stop, stay calm, and slowly back away.
One common myth, experts told the Los Angeles Times, is that rattlesnakes will always warn you by rattling. Some do. Others rely on camouflage and may stay silent until someone is very close.
What to do if you see a rattlesnake
If you encounter a rattlesnake, the best thing to do is leave it alone.
Rattlesnakes generally want nothing to do with people and will move away if given space, wildlife experts say. Do not try to pick it up, scare it off, or get a closer look.
Rattlesnakes are a protected species in California, and it’s illegal to harm or remove them from public land.
If you’re unsure whether you’re within striking distance, experts say you’re too close. Give the snake at least three to four feet of space, and more for larger snakes.
What to do if you’re bitten
Rattlesnake bites are uncommon, but they do happen — most often between April and October, when both snakes and people are most active outdoors.
The California Poison Control System has reported 77 rattlesnake bite calls in the first three months of 2026, compared with an annual average of 200 to 300, according to data cited by the Los Angeles Times.
If you are bitten:
Most victims recover fully after receiving antivenom, according to wildlife and health officials.
Will a snake follow you?
Snakes do not naturally “follow” people the way other animals might. They aren’t out to get you, and they don’t chase out of aggression. What can feel like following usually comes down to the snake heading in the same direction, moving from one hiding place to another, and, in some rare cases, moving more boldly during mating season.
How do I protect my dog from snakes?
The best way to keep your dog away from snakes is to keep it on a leash. The smaller the area they roam, the less likely a snake encounter will be.
Some dog owners seek an aversion training program that can teach dogs to avoid snakes, available through specialized trainers.
USA TODAY NETWORK contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Whistles lead rescuers to hiker bitten by rattlesnake in California
Reporting by Daniella Segura and James Ward, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
