Page 1: Rattlesnakes
Page 2: Cougars
Page 3: Coyote
Page 4: Lizards


The southwest desert has a very diverse selection of animals- mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds. Rather than try to describe the attributes of each, I will give an overview of those you might expect to see, might hope to see, and those that you might not want to see. Visit our Guidebooks page to find recommended field guides on desert wildlife.

Rattlesnakes

First, the warning- I must state that I am not a doctor, nor a herpetologist. The information I provide below has been collected from sources readily available to anyone. I have just summarised and compiled it for easier reading, and included my own experiences and knowledge. I assume no risks for the use of the following text- it is for informational purposes only.

Of all the animals that you will want to exercise caution around, the first that that comes to mind is the rattlesnake. I have encounters with them at least a couple of times every summer while hiking in the desert. I really do not want to refer to them as “dangerous”, although they certainly can be under the right circumstances. We must remember that they are doing nothing more than living in their own territory under their usual conditions, and that we are visitors in their land. If we are cautious and mindful of our surroundings while hiking, we will remain safe.


Great Basin Rattlesnake- Crotalus viridis lutosus- photographed near Cedar City, southwest Utah.

Rattlesnakes are pit vipers, in the family Crotalidae. The primary species found in Utah is the Western Rattlesnake, Crotalus viridis. In southeast Utah and into Colorado it is found in the subspecies known as the Midget Faded Rattlesnake, Crotalus viridis concolor. I have met these little snakes on trails, roads, canyon bottoms and off in the bush more times than I care to remember. My most recent encounter was late September of 2007. I came about a foot from a young one, 10 inches long, with just two small black buttons, too small to make a sound although it was trying. These snakes are said to have venom 10-30 times more potent drop for drop than other rattlesnake species, so do not let their small size fool you.

You may also encounter the Hopi Rattlesnake subspecies, Crotalus viridis nuntius, along the border with Arizona. In western Utah the subspecies found is the Great Basin Rattlesnake, Crotalus viridis lutosus. The second venomous snake species in the U.S. is from the family Elapidae. These include two species of coral snakes found in the southern U.S. Coral snakes have a neurotoxic venom, as do a number of rattlesnake species, notably the Mojave Rattlesnake.

The Myths and Dangers of Snake Bites

According to the Food and Drug Administration in a 2002 revision of an article in FDA Consumer, all snakebites should be considered medical emergencies, although different amounts of venom with varying degrees of toxicity may have been injected. The article states that “in the U.S. between 7,000 and 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes each year…with only about 5 of those bites resulting in death.” So your chances are good for survival.

Venom
The article also states that “20- 30% of patients seen who have been bitten and who actually have fang marks may not have received venom at all." Other articles I have found put this rate for so-called "dry bites" between 10 and 50%. The reason for these dry bites may be because while a rattlesnake is hunting for its food it is fully aware of when and where it will strike, making the injection of the venom very accurate. If a snake is disturbed during its rest and strikes, the accuracy of its timing of venom injection is not as exact. In this case you may even find the venom on a pant leg or boot near the bite area, a welcome sight if you are bitten far out in the bush. Additionally, some snakes may not inject venom at all, or may inject only a small amount.

Venom amounts and degrees of toxicity are different between species and are also affected by such factors as nutritional status, season, age and size of the snake- some smaller snakes may have less potent venom. Even time of day can effect amount of venom- if a snake has been hunting during the night, your chances might be better with a morning bite that you'll receive less venom. Your chances of survival are getting better.

Basic and immediate signs of envenomation include severe pain, rapid swelling and bleeding. Other signs that may occur include nausea, vomiting, general weakness, shortness of breath, and diminished vision. Signs such as discoloration of tissue to purple or even black, low blood pressure and tingling of lips and tongue indicate more advanced symptoms, or potentially more toxic venom.

First Aid
Recommended first aid for a snakebite is rather simple:
     Remove any constricting clothing
     Wash the bite with soap and water
     Immobilize the bite area and keep it lower than the heart
     Keep the victim calm and comfortable, administer psychological first aid
     Treat for shock
     Monitor vital signs- pulse, breathing, temperature and blood pressure if possible
     Make your way to medical help

If you cannot reach medical help within 30 minutes, the FDA article recommends placing a loose bandage (also known as an Australian wrap) a few inches above the bite- do not apply a tourniquet. The bandage should be loose enough to slip a finger under. Check it regularly and loosen it if the area swells.

A suction device can also be applied to the bite area to draw out some of the venom. This may be the most effective, and only, field method of actually helping reduce the effects of envenomation. A suction device called The Extractor, made by Sawyer Products, can be found at most outdoor stores and is also available through our website from Amazon.com. This kit is touted as being the best, most effective kit on the market. It should be used immediately after a bite, to be most effective this should be within the first three minutes. The suction device can remove as much as 34% of the injected venom if used immediately according to one study, but this has been disputed by a later study (see "Suction as Initial Treatment...." poster). I carry this kit, but gratefully, even with snake encounters on nearly every trip, have yet to use it.

Finally, here is what not to do if bitten:
     Do not give the victim liquids, medication, alcohol, or caffeine
     Do not apply ice
     Do not use a tourniquet
     Do not cut the bite area in order to suck or draw out the poison.

Reality
If you are bitten by a snake four days down the San Juan river with four more days to float till you reach the take-out, or worse, at the bottom of a canyon with four more days to walk, medical help may not be an option. From what we have found so far, no one seems willing to give any further directions regarding snakebite treatment when you are deep in the bush. We will continue to search for answers, and post anything we find.

For a review of the Sawyer Extractor by someone who actually had to use it, click here.

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Page 1: Rattlesnakes
Page 2: Cougars
Page 3: Coyote
Page 4: Lizards