Nevada’s has 5 venomous snakes; what to do if you’re bitten
Learn the proper steps to take if bitten by a rattlesnake. Stay safe on the trails!
Hikers in Northern Nevada may encounter rattlesnakes, though the snakes typically avoid people. Of the five venomous rattlesnake species found in Nevada, only one is commonly found in Northern Nevada.
However, rattlesnake encounters do still happen and hikers should know how to react if they come across the venomous snakes when on the trail.
Here’s a guide to what snakes are venomous throughout Nevada, how to spot them and what to do if you are bitten.
Rattlesnakes in North America typically have thick bodies, arrow-shaped heads and a rattle at the end of their tails that they shake when threatened. Five kinds of rattlesnakes are found in Nevada, mostly in the southern and central areas of the state. However, one species ranges across the Silver State — and it’s the one Northern Nevadans are most likely to encounter on a hike.
The Great Basin rattlesnake is the most common venomous snake in Northern Nevada and is found statewide. These snakes typically live in grassy, shrubby and rocky areas.
They are typically light brown with darker spots running down the center of their back. Their spots can come in shades of brown, gray, olive and yellow, according to the Nevada Department of Wildlife.
Sidewinders are typically found in sandy terrain within areas of dense vegetation, where animal burrows provide shelter. They are also sometimes found in areas with sparse vegetation, like sandy washes. Sidewinders are found in Southern and Central Nevada in parts of Clark, Esmeralda, Nye and Lincoln counties.
You can identify a sidewinder by the raised scales above its eyes, which resemble small horns on its triangular head. It is a heavy-bodied pit viper with a light brown body and darker markings that help it blend into the sandy desert habitat. Sidewinders move with a distinctive side-to-side, S-shaped motion and have a rattle at the end of their tails.
Similar to sidewinders, these snakes prefer southern and central Nevada. They’re typically found in Nye, Esmeralda, Lincoln and Clark counties. Mojave greens are desert dwellers and favor areas with sparse vegetation.
They can be found in pre-existing animal burrows during the winter months.
You can identify a Mojave green rattlesnake by its characteristic olive scales and the brown/tan diamond pattern that runs down its back. NDOW said the Mojave green can look like a diamondback, but its diamond pattern is more rounded, and the white stripes near its tail are also wider than the black ones.
Southwestern speckled rattlesnakes are found only in a small region of southeastern Nevada in the Las Vegas Valley. This elusive species prefers canyons and rocky mountain areas in Clark County near the Colorado River.
The snake also has diamond markings, but they are less distinct because of its speckled pattern. It’s a large rattlesnake that can range in color from pale gray to dark brown. Its tail has alternating light and dark rings.
The Western diamondback rattlesnake lives in the Mojave Desert at the southern tip of Nevada. It is the largest rattlesnake in the Silver State.
It has a light-colored body with diamond-shaped spots along its back. The diamond pattern is outlined in white and black. It also has alternating black and white bands on its tail.
If you get bitten by a venomous snake, immediately call 911 and head to the nearest emergency room. Most hospitals have antivenom drugs and can advise you on how to proceed.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, do not use a tourniquet, cut the wound or try to suck out the venom — these methods can make the situation worse.
Similarly to what you would do for yourself, call emergency veterinary services for your dog and immediately take it to the vet.
If you come across a rattlesnake while on a hike, avoid it. Walk around it without stepping over it, and if possible, use surrounding rocks or clear ground to pass safely. NDOW recommends wearing long pants and avoiding thick brush while hiking.
If you’re hiking with a dog, keep them on a 6-foot leash and don’t allow them to put their heads into burrows, NDOW advised.
How smartphone apps turn your night sky into a space map
Astronomy apps help you spot constellations, planets and satellites in real time using your smartphone.
Skywatchers across the U.S. are about to be treated to a dazzling weekend filled with not only two active meteor showers, but a celestial alignment starring the moon.
For two nights, Earth’s only natural satellite will host a cosmic party with three planets — Mars, Saturn and Uranus.
The phenomenon, often called a planet parade, presents spectators with a rare opportunity to see not only multiple planets, but also the moon, appear close together in the night sky — at least, from Earth’s vantage.
The best part of the show? Most of the striking spectacle — with the exception of Uranus — will be visible to the naked eye.
Here’s everything to know about the rare sight, as well as when, how and where you can see it across the United States.
The moon will appear in the night sky before sunrise on Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12, NASA said in a monthly skywatching guide.
While the term “planet parade” is not an official astronomy term, it is an unofficial way for astronomers and stargazers to refer to certain celestial events.
The planets in our solar system orbit the sun essentially along a line across the sky in a flat disc-shaped plane called the ecliptic.
Another term for a certain kind of planetary alignment, planet parades are what happens when planets line up along the ecliptic in a straight line and appear to us on Earth to be marching across the night sky, according to NASA. So, while planetary alignments themselves aren’t special, it is notable to have an opportunity to observe multiple planets at once.
During the celestial alignment, the moon will be entering a waning crescent phase before we have a new moon, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. That means Earth’s only natural satellite is getting less and less full and bright each night as its crescent gets thinner and thinner, NASA explains.
That’s good news for stargazers, as the moon will still be visible without outshining the planets nearby.
Look toward the eastern sky to catch the cosmic lineup in the early morning.
While the moon will of course be the easiest to locate, Mars will look like a small reddish point of light, while Saturn is also bright and easy to spot, NASA explained in a video.
For the clearest views, there are several places that are an easy drive from Reno where you can get a clear view of the stars, including:
Cloudy conditions may bring relief from the recent heat wave, but they could spoil the early-morning view of the planetary parade in much of northwestern Nevada.
Mars and Saturn are among the five planets in our solar system visible without optical aid — along with Mercury, Venus and Jupiter. Telescopes certainly will enhance the view but spectators don’t need any equipment to spot those planets joining the moon in the pre-dawn sky.
As for Uranus, the planet is typically not as bright — despite being the third largest in our solar system — and will require a telescope to see, NASA said.
Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@usatodayco.com. The Reno Gazette Journal’s Carly Sauvageau and Brett McGinness contributed to this report.
A Nevada man is believed to have suffered a deadly fall while climbing in Oregon.
He’s been identified as 77-year-old Robert Pickering.
Search and rescue crews say they found his body along Mount Washington, northwest of Bend, according to a social media post from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.
A climbing guide reported hearing a rockslide near the summit after Pickering passed his group.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office was one of several groups that assisted in the search.
RENO, Nev. – A homicide suspect from Montana took their own life on Thursday night after police surrounded their car in northwest Reno, reports KTVN 2 News Nevada.
The incident happened in the area of Sharlands Avenue around 9 p.m., according to a spokesperson for the Reno Police Department.
Officers located the suspect and surrounded their car, blocking them in. They then heard a single gunshot and backed away.
Reinforcements were called, and a drone was brought in by UNRPD. It was then confirmed the suspect was in their car, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the news agency reports.
The suspect has not been identified pending the notification of next of kin, and no additional information has been released at this time.
In addition to the Reno Police Department, the Regional Narcotics Unit and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
The investigation is ongoing.
Messi and Argentina survive another close call to reach the World Cup semifinals
19-year-old arrested, accused of distributing marijuana to minors across Riverside County
Phillies end the Tigers’ winning streak at 6 with a 4-2 victory
Giants select Barry Bonds’ nephew Peyton in third round
Mark Cuban takes legal action against the Dallas Mavericks ownership over proposed arena deal
South Florida businesses report economic boom, as FIFA officials estimate a billion dollar economic impact
Forecast: Looking ahead to toasty temps next week
Denver weather: Warming trend continues this weekend and into next week
