[pct-l] snake bites...?

[jeffmoorehead1 at cox.net (Jeff Moorehead)]

Well said Greg. Let's not forget why the rattle evolved in the first place--  
as an effective warning so the snake does not have to use its costly venom 
in the first place. The venom is not a defensive weapon. It kills small 
rodents and helps begin the digestion of the prey before the snake swallows 
it. That's why it is so destructive to skin tissue.
I've been reading these threads and in a few cases people are claiming that 
the 'snake came after them'. Not! Snakes don't pursue humans (maybe the 
Black Mamba of Africa, but that's debatable and besides, that's in Africa). 
More likely the snake was heading in the same direcion as you and would not 
have 'come after you' had it sensed you were there. Snakes get a bad rap. 
You shouldn't indiscriminantly kill rattlesnakes. It won't make you any 
safer and the act is nothing more than a psychological fix. Get your fears 
in control and don't take it out on the ecology of the desert. Rather, learn 
something and try to adapt to their behaviors-- knowledge and reason would 
be the best snake bite kit to carry with you (total wt=0 oz.).



> Striking at an intruder is my last resort UNLESS aggressively  attacked. 
> Then I
> will strike without hesitation in order to protect  myself, my family and 
> my
> home.  Snakes are no different.  If you don't  step on one, attack one,
> accidentally grab one, they are very unlikely to want  to have anything to 
> do with an
> animal that outweighs it 400 to 1.
>
> In the warm / hot deserts of Southern California rattlers will come out
> during the colder parts of the day in order to soak up the heat radiating 
> from
> rocks and ground and roads.  At these times of the day you have to be 
> careful
> what you step on (most PCT hikers don't climb much so they are generally
> putting their hands on a rock that they can't see what is on top).
>