Southern California rattlesnake bites rise as snakes move into neighborhoods
Southern California rattlesnake bites are on the rise as more rattlesnakes are being spotted not only on hiking trails and open spaces but also in residential yards, driveways, and front porches across the region.
A growing number of recent incidents has raised concerns among residents, particularly in suburban communities where encounters with venomous snakes have become increasingly common.
Recent rattlesnake bite incidents in Southern California
On July 25, Linda Martin was bitten by a rattlesnake while trimming rose bushes in the front yard of her home in Stevenson Ranch, a community with a large Korean American population.
Speaking to CBS News, Martin said the snake suddenly emerged after she lifted a rose bush and bit her on the toe.
“As soon as it bit me, I started feeling tingling in my fingertips, face, and tongue in less than a minute,” she recalled.
Martin and her husband immediately drove to a nearby hospital, where she received antivenom treatment.
A similar incident occurred just days earlier in nearby Santa Clarita. According to KTLA, a 3-year-old girl was bitten by a rattlesnake hiding beneath an Amazon delivery package outside her home on July 20. She was hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU) for treatment.
Southern California rattlesnake bites expected to increase
Lee Cantrell, a physician with the California Poison Control System, said reports of rattlesnake bites have increased significantly.
“There were about 400 reported rattlesnake bites last year, but we’ve already received approximately 250 reports during the first half of this year,” Cantrell said. “If the current trend continues, cases could end up about 20% higher than last year.”
Cantrell also expressed concern over the number of fatalities.
“In my 30 years of practice, I only remember two or three deaths from rattlesnake bites. This year alone, we’ve already recorded three fatalities,” he said.
According to Cantrell, unusually warm weather earlier this year caused rattlesnakes to become active sooner than normal. As they follow prey in search of food, more snakes are making their way into residential neighborhoods.
What to do if you’re bitten by a rattlesnake
Cantrell urged anyone bitten by a rattlesnake to move away from the animal immediately, limit physical activity, and seek emergency medical care as quickly as possible.
He warned against using outdated first-aid methods such as applying a tourniquet or exposing the wound to heat, saying those practices can worsen the injury instead of helping.
Rare “combat dance” captured on bike path
As rattlesnake activity increases, residents are also witnessing unusual wildlife behavior.
According to FOX 11 Los Angeles, two male rattlesnakes were recently filmed performing a rare “combat dance” on a bike path in Thousand Oaks. The snakes lifted the front portions of their bodies and pushed against each other in a ritualized display of dominance.
The resident who recorded the encounter said it was the first time they had ever seen two rattlesnakes rise up “like cobras” while battling one another.
Wildlife experts say such combat dances are typically observed during the breeding season, when male rattlesnakes compete for mating opportunities. The behavior is generally not directed at humans, but officials continue to advise residents to remain vigilant and keep a safe distance whenever they encounter a rattlesnake.
