Spring is here, with summer weather not too far behind. That means we all spend more time outside, hiking, bike riding, playing ball and so many other wonderful outdoor forms of play and exercise. It also means rattlesnakes come out. Encounters with these slithery creatures are inevitable.

Rattlesnakes are our only venomous snake. It’s a pit viper. When you examine the head, it is a triangular shape. All other non-venomous snakes have a narrow, nearly oblong-shaped head. Most rattlesnakes will also have a rattle and will make lots of noise when you approach.

But this is not always true. Young rattlesnakes have only a “button” at the end of their tail. And it is possible for the rattles to break off. Rattlesnakes are also evolving away from rattling, since death is often a result of rattling.

California has many species of rattlesnakes including the Northern Pacific rattlesnake, the Western diamondback, the sidewinder, the speckled rattlesnake, the red diamond rattlesnake, the Southern Pacific rattlesnake (the one we see in and around Santa Clarita), the Great Basin rattlesnake and the Mojave green rattlesnake.

Rattlesnakes are feared by most people due to their venomous bite. But they should be revered for the good they do in our ecosystem. Rattlesnakes eat rodents – lots of rodents. They also eat other reptiles and insects.

Rattlesnakes are rarely aggressive. I’ve heard stories of rattlesnakes chasing down people to attack them; this just isn’t true. Rattlesnakes would rather you just go away and leave them alone. They rattle to warn you they are there. Pay attention to this and give them ample room, and you’ll both be happier.

If you throw rocks at a rattlesnake, it will become defensive and attack if you are in striking distance. It will defend its territory. Rather than provoke a rattlesnake, just walk away. The rattlesnake, in turn, will retreat, as well.

A rattlesnake uses its venom to paralyze its prey. If it is provoked by you and needs to protect itself by striking, it is a waste of his venom, and it cannot hunt until its venom is replaced. However, 25 percent of bites to humans are dry. In other words, the snake did not release its venom. If you are bitten, you must seek medical attention.

When you are in the outdoors, you should take precautions to keep from being bitten by a rattlesnake. First, you need to know that rattlesnakes can be in urban areas as well as rural, open spaces. I’ve seen them in parking lots, back ards, curled up by a saddle in a barn, in a horse stall, on a golf course and in my garage. I’ve also seen them on nearly every trail in our district.

When you are in open spaces, wear heavy hiking boots. Don’t go off-trail. Stay away from the edge of a grassy trail, as this is where snakes love to hide. Don’t put your hands into places you cannot see.

A friend of mine sat on a rock and placed his hand on the back of the rock. A rattlesnake was there, and he was bitten.

The same goes for your feet. If you carry hiking poles, use them to see if a snake is hiding somewhere before you step there. An example would be if you step over a log on the trail. Put your pole over first. Listen. If you hear nothing, it is most likely safe to step over.

Snakes can hide along your doorstep and up against buildings. Rattlesnakes can also swim; watch out for them in the water. And always remember never to hike alone or swim alone. Teach your children about snakes, and teach them to leave wildlife alone. Never try to pick anything up.

If you are bitten, stay calm and get to a hospital as quickly (but sanely) as possible. Do not use a snake bite kit. This will only cause more damage to the injured area. Merely monitor the redness and mark the outer ring of the redness every 15 minutes, and make a note of the time of each 15 minute increment. Wash the bite area with soap and water if possible. Remove any jewelry such as rings or watches, because they will constrict the swelling. Such items may later have to be cut off of you. Immobilize the area and keep it below your heart. And get to the doctor quickly. If you are within an area that has cell service, call 911. Your hospital stay will usually be four to five days.

If you would like to learn more about rattlesnakes, the Placerita Canyon Nature Center is having a free presentation on rattlesnakes today, May 17, at 2 p.m. in the classroom. Call 661-259-2743 for more information, or just show up. The address is 19152 Placerita Canyon Road. The program is sponsored by the Community Hiking Club, Placerita Canyon Nature Center docents and the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation.

See you there.

Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel is executive director of the Community Hiking Club and president of the Santa Clara River Watershed Conservancy. If you’d like to be part of the solution, join the Community Hiking Club’s Stewardship Committee. Contact Dianne through communityhikingclub.org or at zuliebear@aol.com.