Your next visit to the poppy fields of California may come with a big surprise.
On Sunday, Times photographer Raul Roa photographed a snake hidden under a bed of poppies south of Highway 138 in Lancaster. In the video, the snake moves its tongue, a common behavior for sensors used to detect chemical signals in the air as well see nearby prey or potential predators.
The snake appeared to be a Mojave snake, commonly referred to as the “green Mojave,” known to inhabit the Antelope Valley, part of the Western Mojave Desert.
About 50 species of rattlesnakes can be found in California, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. There are only seven native venomous snake species in California, including the Mojave, Western diamondback, red diamondback, Southern Pacific, Northern Pacific, Great Basin, and spotted rattlesnake.
Depending on the species, rattlesnakes can grow 1 to 8 feet long and weigh up to 10 pounds, according to the The Los Angeles Zoo. Despite the potential danger, the snake usually avoids conflict.
“When they meet people, the first snake likes to sneak, but they will strike if they are suddenly disturbed or cornered,” a 1991 Times report said.
Rattlesnakes are usually more active in the spring and summer, but encounters were reported earlier this year, raising safety concerns.
Last month, a 25-year-old man died later a snake suspected to be a snake on a hiking trail in Irvine, and on Friday a teenage girl Ventura County he survived the bite with minor injuries.
For visitors to the poppy fields, which are currently in full bloom in May, here’s what to do if you encounter a snake.
Sit back on the flowers
Were you hoping to get into the flowers, maybe put on your summer shorts and pose for a social photo? Experts advise against it.
“Rattlesnakes are in the fields!” warn park officials from the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve. They tell hikers, first of all, to stay on marked trails.
As you walk along the path, walk slowly. Rattlesnakes can often be heard before they are seen. Stay alert.
Avoid going to the stadium to take pictures. Rattlesnakes are known to hide among dense vegetation, in this case poppies.
Keep children close, and do not bring your dog to the park. Only service dogs wearing identification tags are allowed in the park.
If you see a rattlesnake on the trail, alert park staff. Running with snakes is especially common during warm days, during the day and in the afternoon, according to park officials.
What to do if you are bitten
There are some precautions you can take before going to the flower fields or hiking trails.
Have a map handy.
Rattlesnake bites are most common on the hands, feet and ankles. Wear ankle boots, thick socks, and loose pants. Avoid walking on the trail with bare feet or open shoes.
Make sure you carry a charged cell phone. If you are bitten, call 911 immediately.
According to the UC Davis Health Center, you should not use ice or a tourniquet, or try to suction the poison or use a device to cut the affected area.
Avoid taking pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And don’t consume alcohol or caffeine.
If possible, wash the wound with soap and water; avoid using antiseptic wipes, which may irritate the wound. Remove wristwatches and rings from fingers if swelling occurs, the UC Davis Health Center advises.
Try to stay calm until you get medical help, and remember that fatal bites are extremely rare.
