What to know about living in rattlesnake country

Diane Sieker Staff Writer

Rattlesnake sightings and interactions have been on the increase since warm weather has arrived in the Anza Valley. As temperatures increase, so do the reptiles’ activity levels, as they emerge to hunt after a winter with no food or water.

So far this season there have been dozens of reported rattler sightings and it’s up to us to be alert for unintended contact.

The winter rains have resulted in a population explosion of the snakes’ preferred prey, small rodents like mice, rats and ground squirrels. To hunt, a rattlesnake utilizes heat-sensing organs on each side of its face, called loreal pits, that help it locate prey. Snake species that have these organs are called pit vipers, a group that includes rattlesnakes, water moccasins and copperheads.

Unlike other pit vipers, rattlers have dead skin “buttons” on the end of their tails that form a rattle that makes a hissing noise when the snake vibrates it in fear, warning or anger. They can warn against contact, or not. Sometimes a rattler does not rattle at all and may strike nonetheless.

Rattlesnakes are also potently venomous, however, bites to humans are not all that common. But when a bite occurs, the results can be devastating.

The venom damages tissue and affects the circulatory system by destroying skin tissues and blood cells and by causing internal hemorrhaging. Scarring, bruising, localized pain, massive swelling, discoloration and blood degeneration as well as nausea and vomiting can occur. Without prompt treatment, or if someone has a major allergic reaction to the venom, a rattlesnake bite can be fatal to humans.

The California Poison Control Center records about 800 bites each year statewide, with one to two deaths, according to the state Department of Fish and Game. Rattlesnakes give birth to live young and are therefore considered ovoviviparous. This means that females produce eggs and retain them inside their body until the eggs hatch, at which time she will give birth to fully developed baby snakes.

Ovoviviparous reproduction means a higher survival rate for the offspring, as the creatures do not have their defenseless eggs eaten by predators.

There are several species of rattlesnakes in Southern California, including the Speckled, Crotalus mitchellii, Red Diamond, Crotalus ruber and Southern Pacific, Crotalus oreganus helleri, rattlesnakes. All are venomous.

If you suddenly find yourself in the company of a rattlesnake, remain calm so you can think clearly. Slowly move away from the reptile and keep your distance. The snake will not chase you, they simply want to be left alone.

Sometimes they give warning as to their location. When frightened, rattlesnakes rattle or buzz as a warning to you not to step on them and to stay away. If you hear one before you see it, stay still until you see the snake or know exactly where it is. Move slowly away from it.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife offers the following advice: Be alert. Like all reptiles, rattlesnakes are sensitive to the ambient temperature and will adjust their behavior accordingly. After a cold or cool night, they will attempt to raise their body temperature by basking in the sun mid-morning. To prevent overheating during hot days of spring and summer, they will become more active at dawn, dusk or night. Wear sturdy boots and loosefitting long pants. Never go barefoot or wear sandals when walking through brushy, wild areas. Startled rattlesnakes may not rattle before striking defensively. When hiking, stick to well-used trails. Avoid tall grass, weeds and heavy underbrush where snakes may hide during the day.

Do not step or put your hands where you cannot see. Step on logs and rocks, never over them and be especially careful when climbing rocks or gathering firewood. Check out stumps or logs before sitting down, and shake out sleeping bags before use.

Never grab sticks or branches while swimming in lakes and rivers. Rattlesnakes can swim.

Be careful when stepping over doorsteps as well. Snakes like to crawl along the edge of buildings where they are protected on one side.

Never hike alone. Always have someone with you who can assist in an emergency.

Do not handle a freshly killed snake, as it can still inject venom.

Teach children early to respect snakes and to leave them alone.

Leash your dog when hiking in snake country. Dogs are at increased risk of being bitten due to holding their nose to the ground while investigating the outdoors. Speak to your veterinarian about canine rattlesnake vaccines and what to do if your pet is bitten. There are also rattlesnake aversion training courses for dogs.

To discourage rattlers from

SOFTBALL from page D-1

Marilu Rios, Deanna Bailey, Lilly Maestas, Victoria Chacon, Rebecca James, Jiannaa Esparza and Kaitlyn Barreto.

To see statistics and schedules, your property, eliminate their food source. Keep animal feed and trash contained to keep rodents away, and clear brush that may be used by small animals as shelter.

There are many myths involving these interesting snakes. It is not true that juveniles are more venomous than adults. There is no published data to suggest that baby rattlers inject more venom or that they lack control of how much venom they expend.

Additionally, non venomous gopher snakes have not crossbred with rattlesnakes, as some people claim. They are separate species and cannot interbreed.

Be snake smart, be snake informed and be snake safe this summer.

If you need a snake removed, call Riverside County Animal Services at 951-358-7387 or local people that specialize in snake relocation services.

Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com please visit www.maxpreps.com/ ca/anza/hamilton-bobcats/softball/ stats.

Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com by the high school students posing as drivers and injured passengers. CHP officers conducted a realistic fatal crash investigation in front of the school, as Cal Fire, AMR and others worked to rescue and recover the “victims.”

During the simulation, students witnessed an on-scene trauma triage, crash victim extrication, a DUI investigation, CHP helicopter transport and hospital treatment, followed by a funeral-themed assembly at the school on Friday, Montez said.

The Every 15 Minutes program is dramatic and emotional, with the goal being to impress on 11th and 12th graders that the choices they make involving alcohol and drugs can influence many others around them.

The production was named Every 15 Minutes when it was created in 2000. At that time the chilling statistics revealed that every 15 minutes someone was impacted by an impaired driver. But thanks to education and programs like this, the numbers now reflect that every 53 minutes someone in the country is killed or injured by a drunken driver. While still tragic, it does indicate that education is working.

The students know the statistics. It has been hammered into their heads since elementary school. But many teenagers think it will never happen to them. The Every 15 Minutes program sets out to change that perspective in a very impressive way. The teens experience firsthand how their actions can affect the lives of so many people.

Selected students participated in acting out the intense automobile crash caused by drunk driving, while their peers watched the events unfold.

The staged car wreck was chillingly realistic down to the “blood” smeared down the sides of the vehicles and dripping onto the ground. Broken glass littered the ground. Two cars lay mangled in a high-impact, explosive collision. Car parts were scattered all over the scene. Groans of pain emitted from the vehicles.

Then there were the victims. Unconscious, bleeding, whimpering, dead. Except one – the drunk driver, portrayed by Joshua Montiel. He paced back and forth, crying for his dead and injured friends. A call to 911 was played for all to hear.

Real CHP units hastened to assess the accident. EMTs and Cal Fire arrived within minutes. An ambulance came moments later, sirens blaring. The cars were sliced open by the Jaws of Life and dead and critically injured were gently extricated. A CHP helicopter whisked away one victim to an area hospital.

The coroner’s hearse came to collect the remaining bodies.

While these events were unfolding, Living Dead students dressed in black hooded robes held gravestones close to their chests. They stood by in silent testimony of the persons killed in a mere couple of hours, one every 15 minutes, due to drunk and impaired drivers.

Montiel, in his character as the impaired driver, was given a field sobriety test by a CHP officer. He failed miserably. He was handcuffed, read his rights and inserted into a CHP cruiser for a trip to the county jail.

All of the crash and related scenes were videotaped, edited and condensed into an emotional and heartbreaking message. This video was shown at an assembly the following day.

“All of the students involved did an amazing job and gave this project the seriousness it deserves,” organizer Randi Torres said. “If they helped only one person make the right decision to not drink and drive, they have done their job. We are very proud of the program and above all we are proud of our students.”

Students in the production were Joshua Montiel, Stephanie Martinez Anaya, Jay Rodriguez, Rain Steward, Jessenya Garbani, Sale Faleono and Makaela Kanouse. Students that played the Living Dead were Tobby Kounlabout, Ashlyn Rozzo, Katrynn Reynolds, Kami Murdock, Nevaeh Aiello, America Hodges, Breanna Fredberg, Kelly Rodriguez, Marilu Rio, Chase Rosson and Gabriel Garcia.

Alejandros Perez Rosas, Montiel, Karelyn Blackmore, Yaretzi Gil, Damian Gutierrez, Gwen Van Zile and Alex Velasquez also took part in the dramatic portrayal.

Special thanks to the CHP, Cal Fire, Props AV, Riverside County Coroner’s Office, Anza Valley Towing, AMR, Miller Jones Mortuary, Anza Citizens Patrol, Selena Stafford, ERA Realty, Anza Thimble Club, HOPE and to Kim Szymanski and Berlin Guzman who spoke at the assembly.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Administration.

For more information on the Every 15 Minutes program, please visit www.chp.ca.gov/programsservices/programs/youth-programs/ every-15-minutes

To view the Hamilton High School Every 15 Minutes video, click https://youtu.be/xw_PDme0PAM City News Service Inc. contributed to this report.

Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia.com

ACCIDENT from page D-1

A minor child in the right rear seat also sustained minor injuries but due to the nature of the injuries, was airlifted to an area hospital.

“Due to the injuries, this is a felony hit and run. The crash is still under investigation,” Montez said.

That same afternoon, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department K9 handlers deployed K9 bloodhound Caroline in a search for the suspect. She was unable to locate him that day, however.

Both Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and CHP are actively searching for the suspect as of press time.

“I want to thank all of the bystanders that rushed to help us and get us out,” Kristine Caperon, driver of the Dodge, said. “I don’t know them personally but they were all angels in my eyes. I also want to thank Joanne Salazar and Kimberly Nieto for being my voice in the hospital and helping me connect with my kids because they had us separated.”

As news of the incident exploded onto social media, community activist Christi James organized a GoFundMe page and a meal chain to assist the family.

Father Jose Ruiz, daughter Elizabeth Ruiz and Kristine Caperon were released Saturday evening. Son Damian Gutierrez was released Sunday evening.

“We are very sore and bruised,” Caperon said. “But we are all alive and well, no broken bones.”

The search for the suspect is ongoing, with tips from the public coming into law enforcement as to his possible whereabouts.

“I just can’t imagine going through what they’ve all gone through,” James said. “Not only the thought of family members being hurt, but how you’re going to get through the upcoming weeks and months with household bills, medical bills and doctors’ appointments. And the town has stepped up to help. People stepped in right away and covered meals for two weeks. They shared the GoFundMe fundraiser and they donated. They could still use more financial support; it’s going to be a long road.”

For donations to the family, please visit https://gofund. me/4fa24028

If you have any information in this case, please contact the Hemet Sheriff’s Station at 951791-3400. Crimes can also be reported through the We-Tip Crime Reporting Hotline at 909987-5005 or on the web at https:// wetip.com.

Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia. com

County Sheriff’s Department K9 handlers followed K9 bloodhound Caroline in a search for the hit and run suspect Saturday, April 22. Anza Valley Outlook/Courtesy photo