TRAVIS AIR
FORCE BASE,
Calif. – Some people actually like
snakes. But for the rest of Travis Air
Force Base, California, it’s time to be leery.
California has 33
species of snakes, but only six are poisonous to humans, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
One of the most dangerous is crotalus oreganus, or the northern Pacific
rattlesnake.
Rattlesnakes are generally
not aggressive, but will bite if handled, stepped on or otherwise disturbed,
according to CDFW. Most bites occur
between April and October when snakes and humans are most active outdoors.
“Snakes
are cold blooded,” said Staff Sgt. William Brazier, 60th
Civil Engineer Squadron pest management section. “Now that it’s getting hot, they will be
most active during the late mornings and early evenings.”
Not
only do rattlesnakes prefer warmth, they like their environment to be dry, dark
and as far away from humans as possible.
But sometimes, they turn up in backyards, brushy areas and under
woodpiles.
The
most common snake on base, though, is the gopher snake.
“The
gopher snake can average between four to six feet long,” said Brazier. “It is most active during the daytime, so
people are more likely to come across it in their gardens or
yards.”
Both
rattlesnakes and gopher snakes pose a danger to small pets. Rattlers bite and gopher snakes constrict.
“Gopher
snakes suffocate their prey,” said Brazier.
“If you have pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters or other small
animals, don’t leave them alone in the yard.”
People
also should not try to catch the snake.
“The
best thing to do is to leave it alone and call Balfour Beatty if it’s in base
housing,” said Brazier. “If it is in a
government facility or anywhere outside of base housing, call CES customer service
at 707-424-2575 and we will come and get it. “
Between October and April, pest management has captured
three snakes, which are in the pest management building: a northern Pacific
rattlesnake, a gopher
snake and a ball python.
“The
team captured the snakes while I was deployed,” said Brazier. “Pythons are not native to the state, so it
may have been a pet that was dumped or escaped.”
Pest
management found the rattlesnake near the temporary lodging facilities and
someone called to have the gopher snake removed.
“Since
the rattlesnake is dangerous, we decided to keep it,” said Brazier. “Since this is not the python's natural environment,
we cannot release it.”
Even
juvenile rattlesnakes are venomous.
“They
are actually more dangerous than the adults because they cannot control how
much or how little venom they inject into their victim,” said Brazier. “Their natural survival instincts kick in and
they inject all the venom they have if they feel threatened.”
Although
snakes help control the rodent population, base regulations prohibit people from
having poisonous reptiles and large constricting-type snakes on base, said
Brazier.
If
bitten by a snake, the victim should take several steps, said Maj. (Dr.) Michael
Galante, 60th Medical Group emergency medical services director.
“First,
they should get away from the snake so they are not bitten again,” said
Galante. “They should do their best to
stay calm and seek immediate medical assistance.”
The
David Grant USAF Medical Center pharmacy has a supply of anti-venom, he
said.
If
the victim is unable to obtain immediate medical care, they should immobilize
the affected area to decrease the spread of venom, clean the wound and watch
for changes such as continued swelling, increased pain, the bite site turning
purple or black and blisters.
“They
should watch for systemic symptoms including nausea, vomiting or a tingling
sensation,” said Galante. “It will be
important for the victim to get medical attention as quickly as possible so
they can be properly treated.
“Finally,
the victim should remove rings, watches, jewelry or other tight-fitting
clothing near the bite site as there is likely to be swelling and you don't
want those items to become stuck on the patient.”
There
also are several things snake bite victims should not do, including cutting
into the wound or attempting to suck out the venom.
“This
will only serve to spread the venom,” said Galante.
Additionally,
the person should not place a tourniquet or other constrictive dressings around
the wound because it will decrease blood supply in the bite area, increase pain
and subject the victim to further tissue damage.
Only
if the person can safely do so should they try to kill the snake or take pictures
to help medical personnel prescribe the appropriate treatment.
“Chasing
a snake could mean getting bit again,” said Galante.