June 28, 2013
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 3
Summer is here, and so are the rattlesnakes It seems this year is a particularly good year (or bad, depending on your point of view) for rattlesnake sightings. Clayton resident David Lipton has seen two of them in his Petar Court yard in the past few weeks. Lipton lives just below the old seminary property. The first one was pretty small and not worth much concern, said Lipton. The second one, however, was another story. “I was in my backyard checking out my tomato plants when I heard what sounded like air escaping from a needle valve on a car tire. It sounded like it was coming from one of the ventilation holes in the house. I looked for the source but couldn’t find it. I started to come in the house when I heard it again. I turned
David Lipton
RATTLESNAKES
ARE A FAMILIAR SIGHT IN
CLAYTON’S
RESIDENTIAL
areas as well as on the trails.
Don’t get rattled by snake bite and we have to share our world with them, especially if we want to enjoy the great outdoors. Here is a brief review of rattlesnake bites (along with some dos and don’ts):
DAVID BIRDSALL, M.D.
DOCTOR’S ORDERS There are few things that can cause an immediate visceral fear in humans as a rattlesnake. Maybe it’s due to the fact that rattlesnakes are reptilian (we tend to like mammals better) or maybe it’s because they’ve been so vilified in movies and literature that we have become programmed to loathe them. However, like them or hate them, rattlesnakes serve an important role in our ecosystem
THE BITE In general, symptoms of a rattlesnake bite include, but are not limited to, pain, swelling, numbness and tingling, bruising and blister formation at the site (the swelling may rapidly progress). Systemically, one may experience chest pain, shortness of breath, vomiting, taste changes, muscle spasms and tremors. However, if you are bit, even if you don’t have symptoms at this moment, you should get to a local hospital quickly.
When you arrive at the hospital with a rattlesnake bite, an IV may be placed and blood work taken. You may receive an ECG and you may have an X-ray taken of the bite site to make sure there are no retained pieces of rattlesnake teeth. Depending upon the severity of the bite you may be simply observed in the emergency department or you may be admitted to the hospital and given antivenom (which is very expensive). The length of your hospital stay will vary on the severity of the bite. If the swelling is extremely bad you may require surgery. DOS AND DON’TS: • Do walk on well-traveled trails. • Do wear over the ankle boots.
• Don’t hike alone. You may need someone to get help. • Don’t step over logs or rocks where snakes like to lay. Rather, step on them. (The logs or rocks, not the snakes.) • Don’t pick up a rattlesnake! Most bites are on the hands (and most are on the hands of young men who like to ignore this advice). To all young men out there I will say it again, “Don’t pick up a rattlesnake!” • Don’t kill or capture the snake. There is still a risk that you could be poisoned with venom yourself if you aren’t careful.
See Snake Bite, page 5
and saw the snake right next to the house under a rosemary bush. It was mad - all coiled and rattling away. Not visible from above.” “The snake was only about two feet long, but sure looked bigger to me. I was using a big lens on my camera, for obvious reasons. We’ve had snakes before but were less worried because we had cats then. Now we have dogs — small ones who would just stick their noses right in the snake’s face. Not good.” “There are guys out now clearing the weeds from the hillside behind us. I’m hoping this will open up the area for hawks and other snake predators to see the rattlers and help keep them in control. We’ll see.” The Northern Pacific Rattlesnake is not particularly aggressive. Should you see one on the trail or in your backyard, give it plenty of room. Don’t get between the snake and its escape route, and a bite is highly unlikely. However, if cornered, they will strike. Dogs are particularly vulnerable since they are likely to run up to the snake and bark. It seems Dana Hills is a popular place for snakes to hang out, especially in the areas that back up to the open space. They love the moist shade under decks are frequently coiled up in the corner of a porch or garage. If you see a rattlesnake in your yard, at the playground or in a populated area, you can call the Clayton police for help, says Clayton Police Chief Chris Thorsen. “Or, you can exterminate it yourself.” “If you see a rattlesnake on the trail,” Thorsen says, “Go the other way.”
s t r e c n o C he Gro T in
ov e
Saturdays
6 to 8:30 p.m. At the Gazebo in The Grove
Set up chairs and blankets on the lawn after 4 p.m.
July 6 Livin' In The USA A Cross-Country Music Trip: Fully themed and costumed "all hits" cover band
July 20 Mixed Nuts Dance music from the 50s to today.
August 3 Live by the Groove Enjoy the sounds of your favorite music from the 70s, 80s and 90s.
August 17 Flashback Six-piece band featuring hits from big band/swing, early rock 'n' roll, Motown/soul, R&B/funk, classic rock, disco and country.
August 31 The Chicago Tribute Authority This upbeat tribute band plays the music of the greatest hit bands of the last 45 years.
Sept. 14 East Bay Mudd This 10-piece cover dance band with a powerful 4man horn section, will keep you on your feet asking for more.
For more band info, go to www.cityofclayton.org. Chairs and blankets may be set out after 4 p.m. on concert days.
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