STEVE KNIGHT/texasAllOutdoors.com RANCHERS AND RESIDENTS OF the Hill Country and and Cross Timbers are seeing more snakes than in recent years. Two years of rain have increased rodent numbers which in turn have resulted in increased snake numbers.

STEVE KNIGHT/steve@texasalloutdoors.com

 

There are a lot of reasons to like being in the Texas Hill Country and the lower portion of the Cross Timbers regions of Texas.

Driving down the rolling, winding back roads through ranch country, it is some of best scenery in the state.

State parks and natural areas in those parts of the state will soon be filling with summer visitors and it will not be that long before dove hunters head into sunflower fields and deer hunters reopen their leases.

Along with the beauty of the center of Texas comes a menace – rattlesnakes.

Seldom seen, but almost universally feared, rattlesnakes are a major concern. That seems to especially be the case this year, as ranchers and residents are reporting coming across rattlers in greater numbers than they have in years.

Actually, that is what a lot were saying last year, but it is even more the case this year.

It is possible that the upswing in snake numbers is the result of a rebound following the 2011 drought and above average precipitation in the center of the state the last two years.

Since the drought, and especially with the rains, the rodent populations that snakes feed on are up significantly. Experts say a year with increased food sources is likely to be followed the next year by increased snake numbers. That could explain why many were saying last year they were seeing more snakes than they had in years, only to find those accounts topped this year.

Because range conditions are so different from one side of a fence to another, it is impossible to tell how many rattlers exist in an area. However, this time of year they are more active as they come out of winter dens for feeding, mating and giving birth.

Estimates are there are between 500 and 1,000 people bitten by all varieties of snakes in Texas annually. The thing to remember is that only one or two result in death and that maybe half are dry bites. This means the most important thing to do if someone is bitten is to keep them calm and to remain calm.

The to-do list after someone is bitten is a short one. If someone is bit by a snake the first recommendation of health officials is to do nothing but get to the hospital as quickly as possible. Call ahead if possible so they can have antivenom ready.

Most people can easily identify a rattlesnake, but maybe not other types. Take a picture of the snake or actually bring the snake, if dead, to the hospital so doctors will know what they are dealing with.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, when transporting someone who has been snake bitten it is important to keep the bitten limb even with the heart. Raising it above the heart could spread the venom to other parts of the body. Placing it below could increase swelling in the limb.

If they are bitten in the leg and are wearing boots, take them off immediately before swelling occurs. The same is true for rings or other jewelry if the bite is on an arm.

Restrict movement by bringing a vehicle as close to the victim as possible.

If in a remote location, call 911 to have an ambulance dispatched, but it might be a good idea to begin the drive toward the hospital and meet it on the way.

The do not attempt list from TDHHS includes the old remedies of attempting to suck the venom from the wound, shocking the wound site with current from a vehicle battery or cutting into the wound, something that could cause more damage to the tissue.

It is not recommended using a tourniquet to the limb or applying ice to the wound. Doctors have found the ice can lead to frost bite and additional problems.

Finally, no pain relievers, no alcohol and no field administer antivenom.

The best suggestion is don’t get bit. There is no guaranteed way to prevent that but some suggestions include not stepping over brush piles, logs or clumps of grass. Be careful walking down narrow trails.

In most cases if the person stops or slowly backs off, the snake will not strike. Certainly don’t entice the snake.

Treating a snake bite, especially a rattlesnake bite, is not inexpensive. According to reports, a hospital might pay $2,300 a vial for antivenom. The charge to the patient may run more than 10 times. And typically treatment takes multiple vials.

According to a study by the University of Arizona’s VIPER Institute, the breakdown in cost is 27.7 percent for fees, licensing costs and hospital profit, 2.1 percent for clinical trials and just 0.1 percent for research and to make the antivenom. The remaining 70-plus percent was the hospital markup used in negotiations with insurance companies.

Rattlesnake season in the western portion of Texas can last well into winter, depending on the location and weather. The further south, the longer into the year that the snakes will remain active.