Springtime is here! That beautiful time where more animals come out to live their lives, and also have their babies. While I love seeing all the bunnies and birds, this also means….snakes are coming out now too. Now, snakes are a necessary and important part of our ecosystem that keeps the populations of other animals under control. As much as I respect them and the job they do in nature, I also want to provide some tips and details on how you can protect your dog, and yourself if you come across one. Believe it or not, snakes can coexist peacefully with you and your dog if you follow some simple guidelines.
Barry White wants you to respect the snakes
It’s late April, and just in the last week, I’ve encountered four snakes on paths popular for hiking (Rancho San Antonio) and dog walking (Stevens Creek Trail). During the spring, males often wander onto popular footpaths looking for females. This kind of reminds me of a classic episode of The Simpsons where Barry White serenades the snakes of Springfield, they’re all drawn into the street following his voice, and he says “I love the sexy slither of a lady snake”. And then in June and July, lots of baby snakes will make their debut. Here are two types of snakes you’re more likely to encounter in Northern California:
- Gopher and garter snakes. These guys aren’t venomous (phew)! Like all nonvenomous snakes, they have smaller, more narrow heads about the same width as their neck. They live in grasslands and marsh areas where they can hunt frogs, gophers, and other small animals. They like to be close to creeks and rivers. The photo shown for this blog is a Pacific gopher snake I saw on Stevens Creek Trail. If you go through here or another natural, grassy area with lots of gopher holes, it is very possible a gopher snake (or a few) won’t be far away.
- Rattlesnakes. As you probably know, these guys are venomous. However, even in the small chance that someone is bitten, antivenom is made for both humans and animals, and they have a 99% chance of a full recovery if they receive treatment within 2 hours. Not all rattlesnakes have rattles – sometimes they are too young, or the rattle has broken off. However, venomous snakes can be recognized by a head about twice as wide as their neck. They tend to live in rocky areas where they can hide from larger animals and stay off of common footpaths.
Overall, snakes really just want to mind their own business and won’t threaten you or your dog if you stay on designated trails, and keep a safe distance if they do happen to wander on a trail. If your pup loves to go exploring off the beaten path or chase after squirrels or birds, they are more likely to have a run in with a snake (I’m looking at you, huskies and retrievers!). When you take your dog on a hike or adventure walk, here are a few simple safety tips:
- Take your dog walking in natural areas in the early morning, or in a cooler, more shady area. In cooler conditions, snakes are more likely to hide away and move very slowly. In direct sun and/or the middle of the day, snakes tend to be friskier and wander into footpaths more.
- Snakes are most active April-July. If you are hiking in warm or sunny weather during this time of year, keep your dog close to you on a leash and only go on clear, designated paths.
- Gopher holes attract gopher snakes. If you see a lot of holes, keep your dog away from them. A bite from a startled gopher snake can still hurt a lot, even if it isn’t venomous.
As long as you and your dog are nice to snakes and leave them be, they will be nice to you also. Enjoy hiking and exploring with your dog, and I hope this little tidbit will help you appreciate the animals we share this big world with!
