Читать книгу Discovering Griffith Park - Casey Schreiner - Страница 18

There are several species of snake that live in Griffith Park, and venomous Southern Pacific rattlesnakes are among them. As with the other animals here, rattlesnakes generally don’t want to see you as much as you don’t want to see them, but sometimes an accidental encounter can turn dangerous.

You can avoid getting a snakebite by:

•Wearing the right clothes: Don’t hike in flip-flops or open-toed shoes, and if you can, wear high boots and loose, long pants (which will also help protect you from the next critter I describe).

•Staying on the trail: Avoid tall, grassy areas where snakes may lounge during the day.

•Using trekking poles: Poles create extra vibrations on the ground that let snakes know something big is coming their way.

If you do happen to come across a snake on the trail, back away to give it room. Many snakes sense vibrations on the ground, so stomping around a bit may encourage it to move along without incident.

If you get bitten, stay calm, remove rings, watches, or any other items that may restrict swelling, and immobilize the bite area if you can. Contact the rangers at 323-644-6661 or call 911.