Can a rattlesnake bite kill you? How to avoid the worst from venomous snakes in California

Now with sunnier weather in the region, you might notice more warnings about rattlesnakes — most bites occur from April to October — especially if you’re headed out for a hike.

Rattlesnakes typically hide under rocks and in crevices, but can also be found bathing in the California sun to regulate their body temperatures. And while they like to avoid humans, if you bother them, they might sink their fangs into your ankles.

On Wednesday, a 7-year-old boy was bitten by one while on a hike with his family at Mount Diablo State Park in Walnut Creek. He was struck on his lower leg, and his condition is unknown, according to reports.

Can these bites kill you?

A reader asked The Bee if rattlesnakes are lethal enough to kill “a grown man.” Here’s what we found:

How lethal are rattlesnakes?

Rattlesnake bites can be venomous and deadly, but it doesn’t happen often. And your chances of survival are much greater if you seek immediate medical attention.

“Rattlesnake bites are rarely fatal with less than 1 in 600 resulting in death, and approximately 33 percent not containing injection of venom at all,” the U.S. Department of Agriculture stated in a fact sheet.

Other estimates say only 10% to 20% of rattlesnake bites don’t contain venom, the Los Angeles Times reported. And a victim’s likelihood of death increases if there is an allergic reaction or “if a fang reaches directly into a vein or artery.”

Even if they are not venomous, they require medical attention.

Each year, up to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the country, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported, and about five of those people die. According to the center, deaths from bites would be higher if people did not get medical help.

This doesn’t mean these bites aren’t dangerous.

The center states that rattlesnake bites are more likely to leave long-term injuries — with 10 to 44% of people having lasting wounds, such as losing mobility at the bite site.

How to avoid rattlesnakes

If you’re going to hike this summer in California, wear hiking boots and thick socks, the USDA advises.

You should also stay on well-used trails, avoid tall grass and weeds, and watch where you step.

If you get bitten, call 911 and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

This story was originally published June 10, 2023 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Can a rattlesnake bite kill you? How to avoid the worst from venomous snakes in California."