Irvine Ranch Conservancy
  • Home
    • Landmarks Blog
  • What We Do
    • Programs >
      • Habitat Restoration and Enhancement
      • Wildfire Prevention
      • Community Engagement and Education
      • Invasive Species Control
      • Plant Materials
      • Monitoring and Research
      • Planning and Infrastructure
      • Volunteer Management
    • Where We Work
    • About Us >
      • Meet the Team
      • Our Partners
      • Careers
      • Contact Us
  • Volunteer
  • Donate

Snakes and How to Greet Them on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

5/18/2017

 
Picture
Warmer temperatures and the recent rains are bringing snakes out on the lands – discover why they’re generally not harmful and what to do if you see one!
 
As the weather gets warmer, Orange County locals and visitors begin to hit the trails on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks to enjoy a variety of activities that are free with registration. Nature lovers aren’t the only ones enjoying the sun’s rays, snakes are also starting to come out on the Landmarks! The open spaces are home to hundreds of species of plants and animals, and snakes are important part of the natural ecosystem. Despite their infamous reputation, snakes are generally evasive and want to avoid human contact whenever possible. Below you can learn more about snakes in Orange County, why their numbers are expected to increase over summer, and how visitors to the Landmarks can happily coexist with the land and wildlife around them. 

Snakes and Brumation – Spring Awakens Snakes on the Landmarks
Snakes become less active in the winter months to conserve energy, entering into “brumation.” Like hibernation, brumation is the extreme slowing down of metabolism. During brumation snakes are awake, but very lethargic and inactive as they rely on the sun’s warm rays to keep warm. During the cooler seasons, snakes will dwell in areas like caves, hollow logs, under wood piles, and in the sides of creek beds and rivers. With spring in full swing and summer drawing near, temperatures are rising which causes snakes to emerge from their dwellings and underground burrows to once again feed and breed out on the land.
 
Snakes in Summer of 2017
Over the past five years, drought ruled Southern California which meant less vegetation, less birth of rodents and other small animals, and therefore less food for snakes. This past winter’s unusually wet months diminished the drought in California, and booted snakes from their dwellings near creek and river beds due to flooding.  The high amounts of rain in January and February of this year also ushered in more abundant vegetation and a rise in the births of small animals. As spring emerges and the heat returns to the Landmarks, snakes are looking for new homes that provide shade and water and are thriving off increased numbers of prey.
 
Snakes Found in SoCal
One of the most common snakes found in Orange County is the California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula califoriae), a non-venomous breed that ranges in color. The Pacific gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer catenifer) is also common and one of the most widespread snakes in North America. The gopher snake is commonly misidentified as a rattlesnake because of its markings and defensive behavior. If a gopher snake feels threatened it will flatten its head, hiss loudly, and shake its tail rapidly, doing a very convincing rattlesnake imitation! Additional commonly found rattlesnakes in Orange County are the red diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) and the Southern Pacific rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus helleri).
Picture
Trail Tips: Snakes and How to Greet Them! 
If you greet a snake on the trails do your best to remain calm and walk away, and remember snakes would rather not encounter humans. The snakes are likely more afraid of you than you are of them!
 
The vast majority of encounters between people and snakes both on and off the Landmarks are with non-venomous, harmless snakes. All snakes have an important role in the ecosystem, and it’s important to understand that snakes are not inherently aggressive nor looking to hunt or chase humans. By understanding this, people can behave in a calm and rational manner, instead of behaving rashly and creating an unsafe situation for themselves and the snake.  Snakes tend to inhabit areas with brush, rocks, and a high amount of vegetation. By staying on a designated and open path, your chances of encountering a snake decreases.
 
A few tips to keep in mind when on the trails:
  • Scan the trail in front of you to spot snakes resting on or crossing the trail.
  • Don’t back snakes into an enclosed space, they feel threatened in tight conditions. Give them plenty of open space!
  • Never step or reach into a hole, brush, or rock pile on the lands as they may have snakes (or other animals) inside.
  • If you do see snake on the trails or open spaces, don’t panic – they belong there! Calmly walk away.
  • If you see a snake in an urban area like a parking lot or picnic area, feel free to reach out to a ranger to report the sighting. 
 
If you do happen to encounter a snake on or near a trail or open space, do not try to physically remove the snake or try to move it. Simply give the snake space to move freely on its own and enjoy your time on the Landmarks!
 
All activities on the Landmarks including equestrian, hiking, biking, and interpretive activities are free with required pre-registration, which closes at 4 p.m. the day prior to each event. For more details on stewardship programs on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks visit LetsGoOutside.org/activities.
Carl
5/19/2017 02:59:30 pm

Another great article. Stomping your feet (vibrations) when encountering a rattlesnake works most of the time.


Comments are closed.

    About

    Welcome to the Irvine Ranch Conservancy "News from the Field" blog. These articles are written by Conservancy staff about activities and projects in and near the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. 

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

    Categories

    All
    Agua Chinon
    Baker Canyon
    Big Canyon
    Birds
    Black Star Canyon
    Bommer Canyon
    Buck Gully
    City Of Irvine
    City Of Newport Beach
    Crystal Cove
    Dripping Springs
    Equestrian
    Family Friendly
    Fire
    Fire Watch
    Fremont Canyon
    Grasslands
    Habitat Restoration
    Hicks Haul Road
    Hiking & Fitness
    Interpretive
    Invasive Plants
    Irvine Open Space Preserve
    Irvine Ranch Open Space
    Irvine Regional Park
    Laguna Coast
    Limestone Canyon
    Mesa Loop
    Mountain Biking
    Native Plant Nursery
    Native Plants
    Native Seed Farm
    Nighttime
    OC Parks
    OC Zoo
    O'Neill Regional Park
    Orchard Hills
    Peters Canyon Regional Park
    Quail Hill
    Red Rocks
    Round Canyon
    Safety
    San Joaquin
    Santiago Oaks Regional Park
    Stewardship
    The Sinks
    Tracking
    Trails
    Trail Work
    Upper Newport Bay
    Volunteers
    Weir Canyon
    Wilderness Access Day
    Wildflowers
    Wildlife

    RSS Feed

Irvine Ranch Conservancy  •  4727 Portola Pkwy. Irvine, CA 92620  •  714-508-4757  •  info@irconservancy.org

© 2016 Irvine Ranch Conservancy, All Rights Reserved.   Irvine Ranch Conservancy reserves all rights under copyright, including (without limitation) rights to photographs. No permission to copy or publish any portion of this web
site or any material posted on the website is granted without the express written permission of Irvine Ranch Conservancy. 
  • Home
    • Landmarks Blog
  • What We Do
    • Programs >
      • Habitat Restoration and Enhancement
      • Wildfire Prevention
      • Community Engagement and Education
      • Invasive Species Control
      • Plant Materials
      • Monitoring and Research
      • Planning and Infrastructure
      • Volunteer Management
    • Where We Work
    • About Us >
      • Meet the Team
      • Our Partners
      • Careers
      • Contact Us
  • Volunteer
  • Donate