A third Californian, bitten three times, dies from snakebite
Los Angeles Times • • nation
Key Points:
- A 78-year-old woman in Redwood Valley, Mendocino County, died after being bitten three times by a snake while walking on rural property; she was treated in hospital but succumbed two days later.
- This marks the third snakebite fatality in California during an unusually active snake season, driven by unseasonable weather with heavy rain and heat prompting rattlesnakes to emerge early from winter burrows.
- Rattlesnakes are the only venomous snakes in Mendocino County, and their activity began in March, ahead of the typical April to October peak season.
- Despite an increase in rattlesnake bites reported statewide, fatal bites remain rare, with around five deaths annually nationwide out of approximately 8,000 venomous snakebites.
- Experts advise keeping a safe distance of at least three to four feet from rattlesnakes and staying on designated trails to avoid encounters, emphasizing calm and cautious behavior if a rattlesnake is spotted.
