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| A Southern Pacific Diamond-Back Rattlesnake Los Angeles County, Angeles National Forest |
This page is all about what to do if you encounter an animal, whether it be on your hike, on the road, or in your backyard. It is important to keep your distance. Although most animals are not just waiting for a chance to attack you, it's better to be safe than sorry. Many animals are territorial, or defensive of their young. Encountering an animal is a rare and exciting experience, and you are privileged if you spot one. But you always need to be aware that this is their territory, and they can sometimes be aggressive.
Here are some pointers for all animals:
- If you want to see animals, the first rule is to be quiet.
- Do not make sudden movements or sudden loud noises.
- Do not approach the animal, this will make him feel threatened.
- Definitely do not try touch or catch the animal.
The Western Diamond-Back Rattlesnaake
The most dangerous animal in California is the Western Diamond Back Rattlesnake, native to the southwest. Rattlesnakes
Here are tips on what to do when encountered:
1. Keep your distance!!
2. If you hear by the familiar rattle (This is a warning to you to leave), back away slowly, and warn other hikers on the trail.
3. After you are 100 % sure the rattlesnake is dispersed, continue with caution on your hike.
4. If provoked or if it feels threatened, the rattlesnake will rattle, or strike, but if aggressive behavior continues, will intoxicate the opposed.
2. If you hear by the familiar rattle (This is a warning to you to leave), back away slowly, and warn other hikers on the trail.
3. After you are 100 % sure the rattlesnake is dispersed, continue with caution on your hike.
4. If provoked or if it feels threatened, the rattlesnake will rattle, or strike, but if aggressive behavior continues, will intoxicate the opposed.
It is always a great idea to have a snake bite kit on hand. Preferably, the suction kind. This helps remove some of the poison from the victim. If bitten, use the snake kit as directions follow to the removal kit, READ IT SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY, then end the activity, and take the intoxicated immediately to the nearest emergency room, or other medical assistance. If not with a snake kit, stop the activity and take the bitten immediately to the ER at the nearest hospital or other medical assistance. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SUCK OUT OR CUT OUT THE VENOM. This will not provide any benefit, it could do ahrm, and will just waste you precious time.
Keep the bitten part of the victim level and straight as not to spread the venom throughout the body. If left untreated serious rattlesnake bites can cause serious injury, pain, and in some instances, death. Bites from baby rattlesnakes can be more dangerous than bites from adult snakes, because baby rattlers don't know how much venom to inject into a victim's body to kill or wound them, and can henceforth inject far more venom than adult rattlers, who know how to distribute enough venom to its opposed.
Keep the bitten part of the victim level and straight as not to spread the venom throughout the body. If left untreated serious rattlesnake bites can cause serious injury, pain, and in some instances, death. Bites from baby rattlesnakes can be more dangerous than bites from adult snakes, because baby rattlers don't know how much venom to inject into a victim's body to kill or wound them, and can henceforth inject far more venom than adult rattlers, who know how to distribute enough venom to its opposed.
Striped/Spotted Skunk
While not neccesarily a dangerous animal skunks are well-known for their ability to produce a repulsive smell that can ward off potential predators such as wolves, bears, and coyotes. Skunks can spray either a liquid, at close ranges, or a spray, as far as 10 feet, with great accuracy. The smell is described as a mixture of sulfur, rotten eggs, garlic, and burnt rubber. Aside from the smell, which can be hard to remove from the person or thing thats affected, it causes irritation and even temporary blindness. But unlike most people believe, skunks are hesitant to use their weapon, because it can take up to 2 weeks to reload for another spray, and they only have enough of the chemical for about five or six sprays in their lifetime. There are a number of steps the skunk performs before resorting to the spray.
1. First they will stomp their front feet. If you see a skunk do this, its best to leave. Don't try to watch even from a distance, since they can spray not accurately 25 feet away.
2. Then, if that doesn't work, they will raise their tails in full bloom.
3. Next, if that still doesn't work, they will charge the predator, stop a few inches away, stomp again, and make loud hisses and squeals.
4. The skunk will even occasionally perform a handstand.
5. If the enemy still won't leave, then the skunk will finally stop and spray the threat.
I hope I've given you a better understanding of an amazing but misunderstood animal!
Mountain Lion
Sometimes known as the lion of North America, the mountain lion is an extremely rare and elusive animal that roams the high rocky slopes of the Angeles and San Bernardino forests, preying on anything from deer to rodents. Sightings are extremely rare, but if you see one, they deserve you respect and should be viewed with extreme caution. Here are some tips what to do and don't do.
-Do not crouch down; this will make the animal feel big and think you are easy prey.
-Do not run away; this could awake his predatory instincts and could inspire him to chase you.
-Do not make sudden movements as this will startle him.
-Pick children up to both protect them and make yourself look bigger.
-Do not approach the mountain lion
- Stand tall with your arms outstretched to make yourself look bigger
-Yell to frighten the animals
1. First they will stomp their front feet. If you see a skunk do this, its best to leave. Don't try to watch even from a distance, since they can spray not accurately 25 feet away.
2. Then, if that doesn't work, they will raise their tails in full bloom.
3. Next, if that still doesn't work, they will charge the predator, stop a few inches away, stomp again, and make loud hisses and squeals.
4. The skunk will even occasionally perform a handstand.
5. If the enemy still won't leave, then the skunk will finally stop and spray the threat.
I hope I've given you a better understanding of an amazing but misunderstood animal!
Mountain Lion
Sometimes known as the lion of North America, the mountain lion is an extremely rare and elusive animal that roams the high rocky slopes of the Angeles and San Bernardino forests, preying on anything from deer to rodents. Sightings are extremely rare, but if you see one, they deserve you respect and should be viewed with extreme caution. Here are some tips what to do and don't do.
-Do not crouch down; this will make the animal feel big and think you are easy prey.
-Do not run away; this could awake his predatory instincts and could inspire him to chase you.
-Do not make sudden movements as this will startle him.
-Pick children up to both protect them and make yourself look bigger.
-Do not approach the mountain lion
- Stand tall with your arms outstretched to make yourself look bigger
-Yell to frighten the animals
