An Expert Reveals Why What You Know About Rattlesnakes & Snake Bites Is Probably Wrong

Picture the classic movie scene: A lonesome cowboy is riding through the desert when suddenly a rattlesnake spooks his horse; he tumbles into the dust, and as it gallops away into the distance, he finds himself face-to-face with the angry snake, who gives a quick shake of his tail before striking with all his venomous might. Then, right on cue, someone arrives to suck the poison out before the cowboy dies a slow, painful death. Happily, this isn't an accurate interpretation of rattlesnake behavior, and as Emily Taylor, PhD, Professor of Biological Sciences at the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California, points out, "People have 'been had' by producers showing terrified snakes striking on TV specials because they know that fear sells." The reality is that rattlesnakes are actually quite shy and will only strike if they feel threatened. They certainly don't seek us out and would much rather stay out of our way and out of the spotlight.

Rattlesnakes are considered one of the most dangerous snakes in the world but are actually only found in the wild in the Americas, from southern Canada to central Argentina. There are over 30 species, and among those, most are found in the deserts of the American Southwest and are most abundant in northern Mexico. Depending on the species, they live in a variety of habitats from deserts and prairies to forests and rocky crevices near the water –- rattlesnakes can swim. But before you pull on your hiking boots and hit the trails, find out what rattlesnakes are really like and how you can avoid snake encounters when out in the wild.

Firstly, rattlesnakes aren't out to get you, and they don't see humans as prey. They certainly aren't aggressive to the point where they stalk or chase humans. They conserve their energy and their venom to use on smaller prey. As Dr. Taylor explains, "Rattlesnakes want to use their venom on the rodents they eat; they only bite people in self-defense." Contrary to popular belief, these cold-blooded reptiles don't spend hours basking in the sunshine; they're more likely to seek out protected shady areas or places where they find prey. And the myth about them rattling before striking? That's not quite accurate either. Dr. Taylor says, "Rattlesnakes have always been very reluctant to rattle and rely more on camouflage, hoping people and other predators won't kill them."

They're born with a segmented keratin tip, with each segment referred to as a button. Each time the snake sheds its skin, which can be several times a year, a new button is added, creating the chain at the end of the tail. This is how rattlesnakes rattle. When the tail vibrates, sometimes up to 50 times per second, the buttons knock together. But because of shedding and parts of the rattle breaking off, you can't tell a snake's age from the number of segments, which puts another rattling myth to rest.

And if you thought those baby rattlesnakes were more dangerous because they can't control their venom, you'd be wrong. Dr. Taylor confirms that "they do control their venom, and bites from adults are worse." When it comes to rattlesnake bites, they're rarely fatal, with an average of 3.5 deaths per year out of 7000 to 8000 bites in the U.S. This is because the antivenom is effective, and fatalities usually occur because of delayed treatment. About 10% of the time, they don't produce venom at all; this is known as a dry bite. You're actually more likely to be killed by falling off a ladder than you are by a rattlesnake bite.

Understanding more about the life and behavior of rattlesnakes will hopefully dispel any remaining myths that cause people to see these creatures as just a dangerous threat. They play an important part in the ecosystem, helping to keep rodent populations under control and dispersing seeds across the land. Unlike many other snakes, rattlesnakes don't lay eggs, and they give birth to live young. Dr. Taylor says, "The mothers protect the babies for a week or more following birth; sometimes even other pregnant females 'babysit' to protect them." After this period, the young leave, and they generally live a solitary life, only coming together to mate in spring. Depending on the species and the climate, they may brumate (hibernate) together in the colder months, when their metabolism and activity levels drop. So you're more likely to see them on the trails in spring and summer months.

Do this if you do happen to come across rattlesnakes in the wild: follow the Leave No Trace principle of respecting wildlife and observe them from a distance of at least 10 feet. Don't try to approach them, touch them, or chase them. Around half of all snake bites are illegitimate, meaning they happen because a person behaved in a way that put them in danger. If you do happen to get bitten, call 911. Dr. Taylor also advises to "remove any jewelry on the bitten limb in case of extreme swelling, and (they should) keep the limb either at heart level or elevated." And despite what you may have seen in those westerns, don't try and suck the poison out — it doesn't work. You should "avoid all other treatments, including tourniquets, cut-and-suck, snakebite kits, electrocution, heat or ice packs, antihistamines like Benadryl, prophylactic antibiotics, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS)."