The Southern Pacific Rattlesnake found in Santa Clarita Valley
The Dangerous Green Mojave Rattlesnake is found in the Antelope Valley
The Black Widow Spider is found in Santa Clarita
The Tarantula is found in Santa Clarita
The Wolf Spider is found in Santa Clarita
The Facts About Rattlesnakes and Spiders
As the temperatures rise, so do the stories of rattlesnake and spider bites…some fact, some fiction. Read on for the lowdown from the experts.
Orkin Pest Identification Guide and Library
Did you find a bug or rodent you can't identify? Check out this full color photo library for more info.
Hugo Herman, longtime snake wrangler and City of Santa Clarita advisor suggests the following precautions residents should take in avoiding snakes:
- "Always watch where you put your hands and feet and be cautious and you'll be okay," Hugo Heermann
- Remember, if the temperature outdoors is 'just right' for you, it's ideal for rattlers, too.
- Be particularly wary on cooler days and in the evening hours. If stepping outside in the evening, be particularly careful.
- Make sure to take a strong flashlight with you when heading outdoors in the dark.
- Anticipate snakes may be under your vehicle at a parking lot
- Be aware that our canyons and natural areas have an abundance of rattlesnakes.
- Rattlesnakes' striking distance is approximately one-third their length. Give them room!
- Do not grab 'branches' or 'sticks' in the water. Rattlesnakes are excellent swimmers.
- Do not keep 'pet' rattlesnakes.
- Snakebite victims are typically young males who attempt to pick up the reptiles.
- Children are at greater danger than adults for snakebites because of their size. They are also naturally curious, and typically are not aware of
their surroundings. Teach children not to pick up snakes. Many victims are curious children.
- While 25% of all snakebites are 'dry' bites, do not make that assessment on your own. Head to the emergency room.
- Some experts state that the dead snakes' bite reflex is active for up to an hour after its death.
- Even after a snake strikes, it may strike again. It generally reserves some of its venom.
- Be wary of fangs on any rattlesnake, even those that have been professionally prepared by a taxidermist. Even dry venom is extremely venomous.
Fangs are hollow, similar to a hypodermic needle and venom residue could still be present.
- If bitten, don't panic! An increased heart rate causes the venom to spread more quickly. Head to Henry Mayo for treatment.
Around the House
- Check your swimming pool before plunging in. Snakes can out swim a human
- Completely seal your garage as snakes can slip into holes over 1/4 inch.
- Be cautious when in your garage, as they seek out cool areas during hot days.
- Do not allow pets or children unattended in your back yard--especially in evening hours.
- Snakes can climb walls, trees, shrubs and rocks. Look before you put your hands on rocks or when digging in your garden.
- When stepping off a stoop, look down before stepping. Snakes like to crawl along a building where they are protected on one side.
- Tighten dripping hoses and remove standing water in your yard.
- Remove (carefully!) wood piles, which draw rodents and provide a food source for snakes.
- Remove (carefully!) rock piles, which provide cover for snakes.
- Consider installing a snake fence as snakes may travel up to 1/2 mile between yards. It is usually up to 3' high with mesh no larger than ¼". The bottom should be buried six inches in the ground, and the fence should be slanted outward at a 30-degree angle. Keep bushes and shrubs away from the fence as a snake can crawl from the vegetation over the fence.
- The Fire Department recommends clearing brush within 300' of your home; this is also a good precaution to keep snakes away from you home.
- If you water foliage near your backyard, this will draw snakes; they like water and the protective cover to keep them safe from predators.
- Newly constructed housing developments, schools and shopping centers--as well as those that meet up against undeveloped hillsides--pose a greater
risk for snake encounters.
When Hiking or Outdoors
- Use a tall stick when hiking; the snake may strike the stick rather than you.
- Wear hiking boots in undeveloped areas; never wear open-toed shoes or go barefoot.
- Always check carefully around stumps and logs before sitting.
- Don't step over logs but rather on top of logs. Snakes like to hide under logs.
- Never hike alone. Always have a buddy and carry a cell phone for emergencies. (Remember to provide an exact location when calling 911 to avoid
delay in treatment.)
Do You Own a Pet?
- Don't let your dogs run loose with you in the canyons; keep leashed at all times.
- Plan ahead for an emergency. Contact your vet to find out what you can do if your pet is bitten.
- Heermann recommends saving your money on "preventive" antivenin shots for pets. The effectiveness has not yet been proven to warrant the cost.
More About Rattlesnakes
- They tend to stay close to where they were born. In fact, they have been known to return to the same den they were born when bearing their young.
However, they will head out in search of water.
- Snakes have poor vision and "see" heat in color. Therefore they can differentiate a six-foot human from their prey.
- Snakes can sense water up to a mile away. They have an incredible tracking device for food, heat, and water. Their heat sensing pit, located
between the elliptical eye and nostril, can pick up a 1 degree variation in temp.
- They can feel vibrations 100's of yards away. They know you are coming long before you know they are even there.
- Snakes utilize gopher holes to move from one yard to another. Baby snakes can move between yards through the drainage holes at the bottom of slump
Special Warning About Castaic and Antelope Valley:
If you are heading to the Castaic Lake Rec Area, Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve or the Lancaster/Palmdale area, you should be aware that the
Mojave Green rattlesnake resides there. If you are bitten, get to the Antelope Valley Hospital immediately.
While enroute, call the E/R (661-949-5115), which will alert them to prepare the antivenin--and make certain their stock has not been used.
Henry Mayo Hospital also has on hand the antivenin to treat a bite from a Mojave Green rattlesnake.
What Type of Rattler Resides in SCV?
Southern California is home to seven species of rattlesnakes: the Western Diamondback, Sidewinder, Speckled rattlesnake, Red Diamond rattlesnake,
Southern Pacific, Great Basin rattlesnake and the Mojave rattlesnake. In Southern California, the Western Diamondback is most often involved in
bites. Unfortunately, it is also the most venomous by weight. However, the Mojave rattlesnake is the most dangerous (in North America), responsible
for several deaths a year in California. The venom of the Mojave rattler is composed of hemolytic and neurotoxic elements, which means it destroys
the red blood cells resulting in blood clotting problems and causes nerve damage. Its venom affects the nervous system and can lead to paralysis.
The good news, according to the Placerita Nature Center, is that the only rattler residing in Santa Clarita is the Southern Pacific. This snake is
most often found in the hillsides of our valley, but if you live near a rural area, you face the possibility of being visited by a rattler. The
US Geological Society warns that this is a nervous species that will aggressively defend itself when annoyed. Yet, not one tourist has been bitten at
the Placerita Nature Center of the millions who have visited since 1970. However, snakebites do happen and Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital
reports about six bites per year, none of which have been fatal. These bites are typically on the hand of someone who has chosen to handle a snake
and rarely is the victim a hiker who has stepped in the wrong place. If you do not seek prompt medical attention, you do risk losing your limb.
"If bitten by a snake…seek medical attention as quickly as possible," said David Hartzog, R.N., a nurse in Henry Mayo's Emergency Department.
While medical professionals suspect a Green Mojave as the snake that bit Chris Bolewski of Saugus in May 2007, Heermann remains unconvinced. "The
Green Mojave's range begins in Grapevine and goes northeast. I once heard of a sighting in Castaic, but that was the closest to the SCV."
So what do you do if you are a victim of a snakebite?
Henry Mayo Hospital is the only location in Santa Clarita Valley with antivenin on hand. Urgent Care facilities do
not store antivenin.
What NOT to do if bitten by a rattler:
- It is most critical to get the victim to the hospital for treatment with antivenin. Time is Tissue Loss and the sooner you are treated the better
- Stay calm; an increased heart rate causes the venom to move quickly through your system.
- Remove jewelry and restrictive clothing.
- Immobilize extremity and keep at a level slightly below the heart.
- Do NOT apply a tourniquet.
- Do NOT pack the bite area in ice.
- Do NOT cut the wound with a knife or razor.
- Do NOT use your mouth to suck out the venom.
- Do NOT let the victim take aspirin or Ibuprofen.
- Do NOT let the victim drink alcohol.
- Do NOT apply electrical shock.
When are snakes most active?
According to the Placerita Nature Center, a snake's ideal temperature is somewhere in the 80's. This is why they are dormant in the winter. When the
temperatures dip into the 60's, you'll find snakes burrowed for warmth. However, as temperatures rise into the 80's, they are most active. During
the hottest days of summer, snakes will seek shade and hunt in the cooler hours of the day. Therefore, temperature dictates when you are most likely
to encounter a snake.
Read The Snakes Are Coming
By Evelyne Vandersande, Editor, The Rattler--Placerita Canyon Nature Center's
Have a snake you want to get rid of?
If you find a snake in your yard, or even worse-in your house, you'll want to call a professional to remove it.
Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control in Castaic: 661-257-3191
(Follow the prompts to reach Dispatch.)
Tips When Calling
- The person who saw the snake must be the caller. Animal Control will not dispatch an officer from a third party caller.
- The person calling must keep the snake in view until the officer arrives.
Animal Control stated that the snake will often stay in the same location if a human is in its view.
If for some reason these folks are not available, you should know that general pest control companies, such as Orkin and Terminix, do not remove
snakes. Orkin recommends Snake Removal (800-339-9470) and Terminix recommends Animal Pest Management Service (800-344-6567).
Despite what some may believe from Hollywood movies, California Poison Control advises residents that spiders do not attack in herds. They don't lay
in wait to attack people, slip under the covers to bite people while they are sleeping, or jump at people to attack them. Of course, some spiders can
jump, but they only bite when scared and trying to defend themselves. They prefer a quiet, dark corner of your closet, garage, attic or your trash
The Black Widow can be found in abundance in Santa Clarita. About a half-inch to one inch long including its legs, it is a shiny deep black. The
female can be identified by her red or orange markings (usually in the shape of an hourglass) on the underside of her belly. Her venom is the most
dangerous of the spiders in the area. Her web can easily be recognized, as there is no order or design to it. She is most often found in garages and
Both the Tarantula and the Wolf Spider can be found in undeveloped areas and developments in close proximity to those areas. They are usually seen
after the rain, as they love damp conditions. The Wolf Spider is a mottled gray-brown color and is about 3-4 inches across. With the exception of
one group, they do not spin webs to catch prey, but rather chase it down. They are very active by day and night. Tarantulas are slightly larger and
more hairy that a Wolf Spider. Their hair is very bristly and causes irritation. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water if you handle a
Tarantula, especially before touching your eyes. When cornered, they will make a purring sound and may rear up on their back legs.
Although many claim to have seen it, experts agree that the Brown Recluse does not reside in the Santa Clarita Valley. There are many other light
brown spiders that are often mistaken for the Brown Recluse.
What are the symptoms of a spider bite?
- The bite area will resemble a target, with a pale area surrounded by a red ring. Severe muscle pain and cramps may develop in the first
two hours. Severe cramps are usually first felt in the back, shoulders, abdomen and thighs. Other symptoms include weakness, sweating, headache,
anxiety, itching, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing and increased blood pressure. Young children, the elderly and those with high blood pressure
are at highest risk of developing symptoms from a black widow spider bite.
- While the bite may be painful because of the size of the spider, most bites will not cause significant poisoning symptoms.
- The large fangs may cause a tear in the skin when it bites, which will result in pain, redness and swelling. The skin at the bite area
may turn black and the swelling may last up to ten days.
What to do if bitten by a spider:
- If a black widow spider bites a person, do not panic. While it is very rare that the bite would be fatal, Henry Mayo Hospital
recommends that you seek medical attention promptly. Very often the black widow will not inject any venom into the bite and no serious symptoms
develop. In that case, merely washing the wound well with soap and water to help prevent infection will suffice, but it is best if this call is made
by a medical professional.
Some victims, especially young children, may be admitted overnight for observation and treatment. There is treatment for a black widow spider bite
that can take care of the symptoms. Various medications are used to treat the muscle cramps, spasms and pain of a bite. Black widow spider antivenin
is seldom necessary.
Tarantula and Wolf Spider
- Clean with soap and water. If allergic reaction develops, transport to an Emergency Room. Venom is considered non-toxic
to humans. The bristly hair from the Tarantula may be removed with tape.
Yes, we have these, too, although they are not of great concern to residents in the SCV. The species that reside in our valley is the Vejovis, which
at maturity is approximately two inches in length.
But the questions inquiring minds want to ask: "Is its sting harmful?" The sting from a mature Vejovis will hurt, but less than a bee sting. Seek
medical attention if you experience secondary reactions.
A young Vejovis is only about an inch long, with a stinger too small to penetrate human skin.
Scorpions reside in the dry hillsides, their tunnel resembling a "D" on it's back. They will also be found wandering across patios and decks.
As always, contact your physician with any questions or concerns. It is always best to be safe.
Carriers of Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tularemia, Erlichiosis, and Babesiosis. Spray up with Deep Woods Off before heading off into
brushy area, and check for ticks before coming inside.
Read All About Ticks
By Vanessa Vandersande, veterinary student at Kansas State University.
Calculate the risk your home will become infested with termites, learn how to determine if you have termites, and what treatment options are available.
For Further Information:
You're confident you saw a brown recluse spider? Learn more here:
UC Riverside Dept of Entomology
UCR research and extension on Spiders and other Arachnids
Identifying and Misidentifying the Brown
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Living with Rattlesnakes
Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of California
California Poison Control System
US Geological Society, Field Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians of Southern California
To learn more about our local wildlife, call the Placerita Nature Center
Updated August 28, 2017