Safety Matters When Outdoors in Southern Alberta: By Bill - Rattlesnakes

W h a t t o d o i f y o u E n c o u n t e r a R a t t l e s n a k e
Rattlesnakes are not aggressive and given a choice will retreat rather than strike. You may have walked right past a rattlesnake and not even known it. When they sense a human, they usually slither away. However, if surprised, stepped on or cornered, they can strike up to a distance about half of their length. It is estimated that up to 20% of their bites are dry (no venom is injected). Prairie rattlesnake venom is not particularly potent and no one has died from a prairie rattlesnake bite in Alberta. Almost every year dogs are bitten by rattlesnakes in Lethbridge. They usually recover after several days of treatment with steroids and antibiotics. If you see a rattlesnake, walk slowly away from it. Be sure to look where you are walking, just in case there is another one nearby. Give the snake plenty of room to escape from you.
Alberta Fish and Wildlife: 403-381-5266 or 1-800-642-3800