Nuggets of News Blog 

Depending on where you live, spring is in the air, either a little or a lot. What that mostly means is we're all getting out and about more to prospect for gold, metal detect, and just clean up around our property. Especially as restrictions from Covid-19 are lifted, we’re hankering to get out and have fun.  In general, springtime ushers in rain, warmer temperatures, and blooming flowers. You can add something else to that list: snakes.

Snakes love warmer days. As reptiles, their body temperature mirrors air temperature, so it’s common to begin seeing many more snakes this time of year. And that means spring is also a good time to be extra vigilant about where you step and sit. Most rattlesnake bites occur when you accidentally step on or near a snake and startle it. That’s easy to do when you’re zoning out swinging a detector or hiking in tall grass toward your favorite gold-bearing river.  When you are otherwise distracted by gold fever or a chore (stacking wood, cleaning out your shed, landscaping), you might not be thinking about where you’re putting your hands and feet.

People have a lot of fear about snakes and think they’re dangerous. If you are harassing a rattlesnake or trying to grab one and they bite you, yes, they can be dangerous. But if you leave them alone, they are not purposely going to attack you. After all, a snake uses its venom for food, not for defense. Most snakes are not outwardly aggressive unless provoked or startled. Some snakes, such at the cottonmouth, are known to be more aggressive than others, but again, that’s only when harassed.

Keep in mind that snakes of many species are done hunkering down now that the weather is warmer, making human encounters more likely with ALL types of snakes. You might even see snakes in more northern areas where you’ve not seen them before.  In general, rattlesnakes are most active from March through October. In the spring, they are active during daylight hours. As days become increasingly hot around early May, rattlesnakes become more active at night and spend the day in a spot of shade or a cool shelter.  

If you are bitten by a snake, the Mayo Clinic advises:

    •    Call 911 immediately or get yourself to a hospital as quickly as possible.
    •    While waiting for medical help, stay calm and position the body so that the bite is at or below heart level.
    •    Remove jewelry or tight clothing before swelling starts.
    •    Do NOT apply ice or a tourniquet on or near the bite.
    •    Do NOT cut the wound or attempt to suck out the venom.
    •    Do NOT drink caffeine or alcohol, which could speed the body's absorption of venom.

As you venture outside this spring and summer, help protect your lower legs with snake gaiters— they also  help protect against thorns, briars, and cacti needles. If you've ever brushed against them by accident, you know how painful that can be!  Snake leggings are used by the US Border Patrol, US Forestry Service, hunters, hikers, fishermen, ranchers, surveyors, realtors, landscapers, and thousands of treasure hunters who need protection for lower legs. Don’t take a chance! Take precautions to be safe this season— whether in the desert or woods — by adding snake gaiters to your list of “must have” equipment.