Snakes are appearing more now that we're having hotter temperatures. And the California Living Museum, or CALM's, curator, Sharon Adams said, it's important to know how to interact with the reptiles.
"If you're ever in doubt, just don't touch it," said Adams.
Adams said the common snakes found in Kern County are king snakes, gopher snakes and rattlesnakes. She said the most common venomous species of snake in Kern County is the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake.
When we get these really warm days, Adams said, snakes will start showing up on people's properties, especially in more rural parts of Bakersfield and Kern County.
"Often if there's a lot of development snakes aren't hanging around that much. But, out here at CALM where there's a lot of wildlife around us there's going to be a ton of snakes around here," said Adams.
More advice from Adams is, you have a good chance of seeing a snake while out hiking. And you should avoid holes on trails, not just because you could trip, but because you should assume every hole could have a snake in it.
"If you're out hiking or something like that, we would always recommend long pants or tall boots. So that if you are walking and you happen to step where there is a rattlesnake you're not going to get bit by it," said Adams.
We reached out to Adventist and Dignity hospitals and they said, they have anti-venom in their hospitals if you get bit.
The best way to avoid getting bit, Adams said is to give the snakes their space.
"Want to pull your kids or your pets away from it. Most rattlesnake bites occur when people are reaching to grab them. They're not that aggressive of a species where they're going to chase you around your yard. So pretty much if you leave it alone and let it go on its way you'll be fine," said Adams.
In a statement from Adventist Health, in part they said, they're anticipating a higher than average year for snakebites in Kern County this summer, because the recent wetter weather could have given snakes more areas to hide.
