How to stay safe from rattlesnakes in Yuma

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Arizona Fish and Game Department (AZGFD) is advising Arizonans on how to be safe this season as temperatures go up and reptiles come out.

Thomas R. Jones, the Amphibian and Reptiles Program Manager with the department, says if you run into a rattle snake to simply leave them alone.

"Just give them a wide berth. Don't run away. Don't try to kill them. Just leave them alone, walk about 10 feet away from them and you'll be fine," said Jones.

If you do happen to run into a snake in your backyard, you can call your local fire department.  If you're bitten by a rattle snake, call 911 immediately.

As temperatures begin to rise, experts are warning about rattlesnakes.

AZGFD says many assume snakes are ready to attack at any given moment, but in reality they’re more scared of us.

"They can be in yards, they can be in hiking trails," said Jones.

Jones says there's a lot of myths to avoid in case you get bitten by a rattlesnake, and clarifies exactly what you should do: "Don't cut and suck, don't apply ice, don't apply a tourniquet, don't do any of those things...Call 911.”

Yuma Fire Department Public Information Officer David Padilla says they respond more to rattlesnake calls in areas like parks where there is wild land vegetation, snakes natural habitats.

"Around this time of the year, this is the season where we start to see snakes coming out of hibernation and so interaction with humans is much more common, but generally we will see them in outlying areas, either areas like parks or some of our areas that are new developments out in the desert," said Padilla.

Padilla adds they're ready to help whenever needed, but to ask yourself one question before you call emergency services.

"If they see them and they're in a park or recreation area, where we know children or people are interacting, call us and we could help remove the snake. If they encounter the snake in some of the trails in the [West] Wetlands Park, we're happy for you to leave the snake there, keep walking," Padilla says.

AZGFD reminds you instead of being fearful at first when encountering a rattlesnake to just take a second, observe, and appreciate the beauty of wildlife.