Warmer Weather Means More Rattlesnakes, Be Cautious When Hiking in the Mountains

It’s that time of the year. Please be aware, authoroties ask.

Rattlesnakes are a species of venomous snakes. The rattle is found at the tip of the rattlesnakes tail. The snake uses the rattle to warn potential aggressors to back off or to distract prey. As rattlesnakes age, segments on the end of the rattle wear out & breakoff. New segments grow when the rattlesnake sheds it’s skin or molts.

Rattlesnakes consume mice, rats, & other small animals. They lie in wait for their prey, or hunt for it in a hole. The prey is killed quickly with a venomous bite opposed to constriction. If the bitten prey moves away before dying the rattlesnake can follow it by it scent. please be aware when hiking, running or biking in our Angeles National Forest.