Watch for Snakes on Livermore Trails, Park District Officials Say

LIVERMORE, CA — When the temperatures start to drop in California, snake activity starts to pick up, Livermore Area Recreation and Park District officials said.

According to park officials, snakes spend more time sunning themselves during the cooler temperatures than in the summer, so they are often found on the trails, as LARPD Park Ranger Glen Florey recently discovered in one of Livermore’s parks.

According to LARPD Chief Ranger Pat Sotelo, when winter comes and the weather is cold for extended periods, snakes experience torpor and stay underground in a kind of hibernation. The snake's metabolism slows, and they cannot move well when cold.

"With the current weather we’ve been having, snakes especially like the asphalt path stretching through Sycamore Grove Park," parks district spokesperson Lea Blevins told Patch.

They can often be seen in the afternoon soaking up heat radiated from the path.

“It’s like an electric blanket for them,” Sotelo said. "When the weather turns consistently cold, their metabolism slows and the need for food significantly decreases. Being ectothermic, or cold-blooded, their temperature is managed by the outside temperature. Even when the weather is warmer, snakes typically only eat once every week or two."

Park district officials say it is uncommon to see snakes in the park during the winter, except potentially during warm spells, though then there is not much for them to eat anyway. Park visitors can expect to see snakes again regularly starting in March or April.

Keeping an eye out for all snakes should be part of everyone’s outdoor routine when taking to the East Bay hills and open spaces. About 7,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the U.S. annually, according to the Santa Clara emergency officials.

Following is a few simple tips can help you lower your chances of experiencing a snakebite.

Safety Tips:

• If you see a snake, stop and keep your distance. Give the snake plenty of room to get away.
• When hiking, wear heavy boots that are four inches above the ankle, and long pants.
• In hot weather, snakes seek cool areas. Always watch where you step and be sure to look for snakes in areas of high brush, under logs and when stepping over logs, or fallen trees.
• In cool weather, snakes seek warmer areas. Be observant for snakes sunning on rocks or trails, especially during the cooler times of day.
• NEVER try to touch a snake or scare it away; give the snake space and back away to a safe place.
• Tell a ranger or park staff if you see a snake, and NEVER try to catch it.
In the rare case of being bitten by a snake, remember these steps:
• Do not panic, remain calm, and slowly move away from the snake.
• Call 9-1-1 or send someone for help.
• DO NOT apply a cold pack, tourniquet, cut the bite, or attempt to suck out venom.
• Avoid movement of the area that was bitten.
• Keep the bite at or below heart level.
• Do not attempt to kill or catch the snake. Do try to remember what the snake looked like.
• If possible, take note of the time the bite occurred.
• Remember to remain calm and wait for help to arrive

Photo by LARPD Park Ranger Glen Florey.
Additional reporting by Patch Editor Bea Karnes