Colorado’s wet spring could mean more rattlesnake bites this summer

A relatively wet spring in Colorado could mean a more severe than usual snake-bite season but at least half of bites are preventable one expert reported The bulk snake bites in Colorado happen between May and October after which cold temperatures push rattlesnakes to curl up and reduce their activity commented Dr Kennon Heard a professor of physiological toxicology and pharmacology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine A evaluation involving researchers at CU Boulder and Stanford University revealed that relatively wet weather increased the number of snake bites at least in California They attributed it to an increase in populations of mice and other small rodents that snakes eat which don t do as well in drought conditions About half of snake bites in Colorado originate with someone trying to handle a snake either to move it off a trail or to play with it Heard commented Other bites aren t as preventable but people can reduce the hazard by watching where they walk and not reaching somewhere they can t see such as under a bush he reported Snakes don t look to bite people but strike if they feel threatened Rattlesnake venom messes with the body s systems to create and dissolve clots causing blood to leak out into the surrounding tissue Heard stated In the short term that causes swelling and pain and without prompt recovery muscles can die from lack of oxygen and nutrients he disclosed You re essentially stepping on the brake and on the gas for blood-clotting at the same time he commented Related Articles Metallica Red Cross collaboration sets Colorado record for blood donation American foods are changing but July still revolves around the grill Rooftop pool bar coming to RiNo s Penrose apartment complex Colorado man dies after being struck by lightning on Florida beach Colorado weather Record-breaking heat forecast across Front Range Eastern Plains In certain cases the snake won t release much venom but people have no way of knowing that in the aftermath of a bite Heard commented The greater part key step someone can take is to get to an exigency room hurriedly Ideally rescuers would come and move the person so they wouldn t have to walk and exposure spreading the venom through the body but that isn t invariably feasible on trails he announced Snake-bite kits aren t effective and attempts to cut the wound or suck out the venom can worsen the injury Heard disclosed The best first aid device for a snake bite is a cellphone to call for help he announced Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get fitness news sent straight to your inbox