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Hot weather brings rattlesnakes out of hibernation in California
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May 15, 2014
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Hot weather brings rattlesnakes out of hibernation in California
Wildfires aren't the only threat posed by the heat wave-- experts are warn that the high temperatures are drawing rattlesnakes out of hibernation earlier than usual.
File: A northern Pacific rattlesnake.
Northern Pacific Rattlesnake. The hot, dry weather is drawing rattlesnakes out of hibernation.
(
Natalie McNear/Flickr Creative Commons
)

Wildfires aren't the only threat posed by the heat wave-- experts are warn that the high temperatures are drawing rattlesnakes out of hibernation earlier than usual.

Wildfires aren't the only threat posed by the heat wave — the extreme heat is also bringing out rattlesnakes. Experts are warning that the higher than normal temperatures are drawing the snakes out of hibernation earlier than usual.  California Poison Control has already had reports of 84 bites since January. 

Dr. Cyrus Rangan, a medical toxicologist with California Poison Control, joins us to talk about how to avoid the rattlers and what to do if you're bitten.