The Southern Pacific rattlesnake is the most common rattlesnake found in Southern California
The Southern Pacific rattlesnake is the most common rattlesnake found in Southern California. Its scientific name is Crotalus oreganus helleri. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the western rattlesnake or northern Pacific rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus). The Southern Pacific rattlesnake is found in Southern California and in Northern Baja California, Mexico. The snake is found as far north as San Luis Obispo and Kern Counties. Its habitat includes coastal sage scrub, wetlands, chapparal, grasslands and rocky hillside areas. The venom of this species is primarily hemotoxic, which attacks and destroys tissue and blood cells, though it also in some cases has mild neurotoxic effects on those bitten by it. They grow from three to five feet in length. Females are smaller than the males. It is not an aggressive species but will defend itself, like all rattlesnakes. They feed on mice rats, squirrels, and gophers and occasional ground nesting birds and fledglings. They are also known to consume small reptiles and frogs.
Rattlesnakes have been in the news lately in Southern California as two residents have died from rattlesnake bites in the last month. The snakes are out earlier than usual as SoCal has experienced warmer weather than usual, and with the rains, the wildflowers are in bloom, which gets people out on the many trails and open spaces in Southern California. In the last two months, there have been four reported, non-fatal rattlesnake bites in Ventura County, one fatal bite in Los Angeles County and one fatal bite in Orange County.
What To Do If Bitten By a Rattlesnake
If you or someone you are with gets bitten by a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake, or any rattlesnake, call 911. Keep the bite area immobilized and at or slightly below heart level if possible. Remove any tight clothing or jewelry as swelling will likely occur, and get to the nearest hospital, call emergency services as soon as possible.
