Park rangers are warning hikers to beware for more rattlesnake sighting as temperatures continue to rise amid a Bay Area heat wave.
“Rattlesnakes usually come out more toward the summer,” said Antolin Alday, an assistant park ranger in San Jose. “But if it is hot and warm, they may start coming out earlier.”
In the South Bay, rattlers are starting to pop up at Alum Rock Park. Rangers said it is the baby rattler that are more dangerous.
“Things to be mindful of are the baby rattle snakes more than the adults because baby rattlers when they shoot the venom at you, or try to bite you, they’ll shoot all their venom lot to you,” Alday said.
Rattle snakes are part of the reason Jessica Welker does not wear headphones on her hikes.
“That’s what you listen for is the rattle,” she said. “So I’ve never worn headphones when I run for a lot of different reasons.”
Another hiker said he already saw two rattlers on Alum Rock Park’s Eagle Rock trail this week.
“I’ve seen them a lot here,” the hiker said. “You don’t want them in the middle of the trail when you’re walking. But if you see one, just step back and give it time. Otherwise turn around and go in another direction.”
And that is good advice, Alday said, echoing the best practice is to steer clear.
“This is their home. This is where they live and hunt,” Alday said. “Just be careful. They’ll leave you alone if you leave them alone.”