Most people who have gone outdoors in the American southwest know to keep an eye out for rattlesnakes while hiking. But, would you believe that rattlesnakes actually live across the continental United States? They can be found as far north as Canada, and as far south as Argentina. Theyโre not just a creature of the desert, they actually live in all kinds of environments.ย
Thatโs why, if youโre planning on hiking in rattlesnake country, you should be aware of the things you can do to avoid a nasty encounter. At heart, rattlesnakes donโt want to attack peopleโthey would much rather snack on a nice rat or gopher, but that doesnโt mean that bites donโt happen. A startled or threatened rattlesnake can be a very dangerous trail companion, particularly to dogs and children.ย
Here, weโll go over where and when you should watch out for rattlesnakes. Then, weโll talk about the five things you can do to protect yourself from these heat-sensing pit vipers when spending time outdoors. After that, weโll go over what you should do if you happen to come upon a rattlesnake in the wild.ย
Habitat: Where are Rattlesnakes Found?
Rattlesnakes can be found everywhere from arid deserts to swamps and forests. There are 33 total species, including timber, Mojave, and prairie rattlesnakes. They make their homes throughout the continental United States and Mexico. Theyโre most commonly associated with the desert southwest, though various species live throughout shrublands, grasslands, marshes, and forested areas.
5 Ways to Avoid Rattlesnakes While Hiking

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The best way to avoid encountering rattlesnakes while hiking is simply to forgo hiking in peak rattlesnake season, early and late summer. But, if you would rather not spend your entire summer inside, which most of us donโt, then there are a few easy things you can do to minimize your risk of having a bad encounter with a rattlesnake.
Stay on Trail
The first, and easiest way, to avoid rattlesnakes is to stay on trail. Rattlesnakes rarely come out in the open, if they do itโs generally in the early morning hours when they first emerge to soak in the sunโs heat. Otherwise, rattlesnakes prefer to stay under bushes, or among rocks. They do this for two reasons; first, to stay out of the sight of predators, like feral pigs, kingsnakes, and roadrunners, and second, to sit in wait for prey. So, in order to avoid rattlesnakes while hiking, stay on the trailโdonโt go turning over rocks and crawling under bushes.
Wear Long Pants and High Boots
It may seem like common sense, but rattlesnakes are ground dwellers and, unless youโre hiking on hands and knees, if they strike at you, they strike at your ankles or shins. Because of this, anytime you hike in rattlesnake country, itโs a good idea to wear high top boots that cover your ankles. High hiking boots donโt just protect you from snakebite, they also stabilize your ankles, and significantly reduce your chances of spraining an ankle on your hike. In addition to high-top boots, you should also wear long pants. If youโre hiking in tick country, add long sleeves to the mix for ultimate protection from both ticks and rattlesnakes.
Keep Dogs on a Leash

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Many of us take our furry companions outdoors for hikes. Itโs not uncommon to see hikers with their dogs off-leash. This is generally fine, as long as the hikers are in a place that allows off-leash dogs. The one exception to this is in rattlesnake country; dogs are low to the ground and like to explore, theyโre much more likely to sustain bites than humans are. So, if you think youโll see rattlesnakes while hiking, keep your dog on a leash. You can even get a rattlesnake venom vaccine for your furry companion if you want to be extra safe.
Take a Walking Stick
Trekking poles, or walking sticks, arenโt just for serious trekkersโtheyโre the perfect precaution against rattlesnakes while hiking. First, you can use the pole to poke around any rocks or bushes in your wayโif thereโs a rattlesnake hiding in the bush, it will strike at your pole, instead of your boot.ย
Hike with Respect
Finally, the most important thing to remember when doing any outdoor activity is to go with respect for the natural world. This includes seeing rattlesnakes while hiking, or even hearing them. Remember, theyโre wild animals, and youโre in their home. Letโs take a closer look at the steps you should take if you encounter a rattlesnake in the wild.
What to Do if You See a Rattlesnake: 3 Steps

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Rattlesnakes are certainly scary, thereโs no doubt about that. But, if youโre an outdoorsy person who spends a lot of time hiking, chances are good that youโll see a rattlesnake at least once. Here are the three steps you should take if you happen across a rattlesnake on your hike.
Stop: Stay Calm
Donโt panic; donโt scream, and donโt run away. Instead, freeze, take deep breaths and stay calm. If youโre within striking distance of the rattlesnake (around three feet for adults) immediately move slowly away until youโre out of range. Do not make any sudden movements.
Do Not Approach
You may be tempted to move closer, either to get a closer look at the rattlesnake, or to see if it really is a rattlesnake. Donโt do this; no matter the type of snake, you should not approach it. Even if itโs not rattling; baby rattlesnakes canโt rattle, but they can still envenomate a person or pet.
Move Awayย
When youโre readyโthough you donโt want to take too much timeโstart moving slowly away from the rattlesnake. Donโt worry, it wonโt chase you. Rattlesnakes arenโt aggressive, and they donโt hunt people. However, they do see us as threats to their lives if we get too close to them, which is why itโs so important to move slowly, and remain calm. If you encounter a rattlesnake while hiking, treat it with respect, take only pictures (from a safe distance), and live another day to tell your rattlesnake story.
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