When and where do rattlesnakes lurk? How to spot the common California reptile

Rattlesnakes like to bask in the sun — raising their body temperature during hot California days.

They’re spotted frequently on hiking and biking trails, and their bite is venomous.

Spring is considered the beginning of rattlesnake season, and you could run into one on your next outdoor excursion.

Here’s where these slithering creatures like to hangout and how you can identify (and hopefully avoid) them:

How to identify a rattlesnake

It’s in the name — but there are a couple other clues you’ve spotted a rattler. They have a rattle on the end of their tails but can also be identified by their triangular-shaped heads, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The rattle, like a maraca, is what distinguishes them from other snakes. Baby rattlesnakes usually have a small rattle or button when they are born.

According to National Geographic, if you can hear the snakes warning sound “ch-ch-ch” — you’re too close.

The magazine calls it “one of the most spine-tingling noises in nature.”

They can easily camouflage due to their earthy, matte scales.

In California, there are seven species of rattlesnakes, and the most common rattler is the western rattlesnake.

When are they active?

Rattlesnakes become active when temperatures start rising in the springtime.

For a few months of the year, rattlesnakes go into winter brumation, which is a period of mostly dormant activity where they hide underground.

There is no clear end date for rattlesnake season, but according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, most bites occur between April and October when people and snakes are outdoors.

They are most active during the day — and disappear from view at night to avoid overheating.

“In warmer weather, you may see one basking in the sun to raise its body temperature,” the state agency writes.

Where are you most likely to see them?

Rattlesnakes prefer to remain hidden, which makes them hard to see. But they can be found just about anywhere during active times in the late spring and summer.

Rattlers can be found in riverbanks, parks and golf courses, according to the fish and wildlife department.

“Rattlesnakes may be found in diverse habitats, from coastal to desert, and are widespread in California,” according to a 2021 report from the department. “They can be attracted to areas around homes with heavy brush or vegetation, under wood piles where rodents may hide, as well as well-manicured landscapes to bask in the sun.”

They aren’t generally aggressive unless provoked. Give them enough space, the department wrote, and they’ll likely retreat.

Rattesnakes are also found on hiking trails and will usually be hidden in rock crevices, under logs or in heavy brush, according to the University of California, Integrated Pest Management Program. They can also be found on roads and paths in the open.

Generally, they reside in rural and urban areas, so long as they have plenty of open, rocky space and a water source is nearby.

Gardeners should be careful about where they kneel when tending to their plants — they can be difficult to see in gardens because of their camouflage pattern. They like to hide beneath buildings, including in garages and under homes.

During the summer, rattlesnakes prefer cool and damp places, which may include basements, hot tubs, water fountains and swimming pools.

During inactivity in the winter, rattlesnakes hide under rock crevices, beneath dense vegetation and in rodent burrows.

Have a question about rattlesnakes? Email The Sacramento Bee’s service journalism team at utilityteam@sacbee.com.

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