Rattlesnake Rumor

May 4, 2023

Question: Is it true that baby rattlesnakes are more dangerous than adults?

Answer: No, that is one of the many myths about rattlesnakes, says California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Coordinator Laura Patterson. The larger the rattlesnake, the more venom it will deliver when it strikes. Rattlesnakes are shy by nature and will only bite as a last resort when they perceive a serious threat to their lives. Typically, a rattlesnake’s first defensive strategy will be to move away from a perceived threat. If cornered or their escape route is cut off, they will seek cover if available. If the threat continues, they usually coil up and rattle as a warning, although some individual rattlesnakes don’t rattle. If the threat continues, they may strike. However, an estimated 25 to 50 percent of bites from rattlesnakes are dry, meaning they choose not to envenomate. It takes the average rattlesnake three weeks to replenish expended venom. Because their venom is intended for immobilizing prey, envenomating a threat they will not eat means they cannot eat for several days to weeks. This is why rattlesnakes do everything they can to avoid unnecessarily using their venom.

Rattlesnakes can occur almost everywhere in California except alpine areas above tree lines on tall mountains. They can also swim. In most areas, peak rattlesnake activity occurs during spring and summer shortly after they emerge from winter dens. California is home to nearly 50 native snake species, including seven species of rattlesnake. One rattlesnake species, the red diamond rattlesnake, is a species of special concern ( https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/SSC/Amphibians-Reptiles ).

Visit CDFW’s rattlesnake page ( https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Reptiles/Rattlesnake ) for tips on rattlesnake safety.

Thanks for the informative post!  "They can also swim" I confirmed that 2 weeks back while I was fishing at my local pond.  This guy swam across the pond then slithered into this grass bush on the shoreline which made it completely hidden.  Be careful out there when walking along grassy banks, you never know what's in those bushes.

That's a big snake...