(Mission Valley News, San Diego, CA) – I regularly climb Cowles Mountain and have recently seen numerous rattlesnakes crossing the main fire road up the backside of the mountain. As a native Southern Californian, I’m used to seeing rattlesnakes on hikes in the summer. Those rattlesnakes are usually fairly small and skinny, and retreat into the bushes when confronted.
The last one I saw, however, was a Mojave Green monster that appeared as long and thick as a python. The Mojave Green rattlesnake is native to the desert area up north around Victorville and Barstow, but recently started showing up in the Lake Arrowhead area and has since made its way into San Diego.
These invasive snakes are more venomous – and aggressive – than our native Western Pacific Rattlesnakes. Anytime I’ve seen a Diamondback on a trail, I’ve kicked some dirt at it, resulting in it slithering off into the brush.
Not this monster. The Mojave Green reversed course, coiled up into an attack position and rattled its warning while staring me in the face with its jet black eyes. For the first time in my life, I was scared of a snake. This evil serpent – the fattest rattlesnake I’ve ever seen in my life – showed no fear. No doubt he was fat because the local rodent population has yet to adapt antibodies to the snake’s exotic toxin.
Probably the only thing that saved me was that the huge snake was crossing the fire road, which is a good 30 feet wide. It may have been a different story if that snake had been on the narrow trail of the front side of the mountain. Rattlesnakes are most active August through October, not only because the weather is typically hot and dry, but also because it is breeding season for the reptiles. This means you and your pets must be extra alert to avoid any heartbreak. Dogs are instinctively curious and use their noses to investigate everything they come across. This is a recipe for disaster because rattlesnake bites are often fatal to dogs. If your dog survives a bite, this will be only after three days in intensive care, two rounds of anti-venom, transfusions, temporary paralysis and more than $4,ooo in veterinary bills. Ouch!
A very proactive way to avoid this drama is rattlesnake aversion training for your dog. Aversion, or avoidance training, teaches your dog to recognize and steer clear of rattlesnakes. When the dog approaches a rattlesnake, a negative stimulus is released through a low-level electronic collar, making it an unpleasant encounter before things turn dangerous. There are many companies that employ various methods, some more effective than others.
Erick Briggs is a herpetologist, animal trainer and owner of Natural Solutions. Briggs works with his own snakes that are indigenous to various areas around San Diego. The snakes Briggs uses are humanely treated – they are muzzled so there is no danger to humans or animals. Briggs and his assistant, Erin Shelley, will come to your home and work with your pets so they learn to give rattlesnakes a wide berth. Once your dog recognizes the look, sound and smell of a rattlesnake, he will do anything to avoid them.
If you hike with your dog, there is a good chance you two will come across a rattlesnake in the next few months. I saw a dog owner hoist his chubby black retriever over his shoulders like a canine serape as they scooted past the demonic Mojave Green. That worked, but training your dog to avoid the snakes is a better idea. In the event a rattlesnake bites your dog, get him to the vet immediately. It is a good idea to check with your local vet to see if they carry anti-venom and treat snakebites. Either way, make sure you know where the nearest animal emergency center is.
To learn more about Natural Solutions, go to .
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