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What hikers should do if they spot a rattlesnake in Nevada

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What hikers should do if they spot a rattlesnake in Nevada


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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.

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Here’s a guide to what snakes are venomous throughout Nevada, how to spot them and what to do if you are bitten.

How do I spot a rattlesnake?

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.

Great Basin rattlesnake

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.

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Sidewinder

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.

Mohave green rattlesnake

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.

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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 rattlesnake

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.

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Western diamondback rattlesnake

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.

What do you do if a venomous snake bites you?

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.

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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.

What do you do if a snake bites your dog?

Similarly to what you would do for yourself, call emergency veterinary services for your dog and immediately take it to the vet.

What do I do if I come across a rattlesnake while hiking?

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.

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Nevada

Desert state booms as workers flock from California amid game-changing discovery: ‘Remarkable’

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Desert state booms as workers flock from California amid game-changing discovery: ‘Remarkable’


A desert state known for its casinos and scorching temperatures is seeing a jobs boom as workers and businesses increasingly flock from neighboring California.

Nevada’s game-changing lithium reserves are fueling the surge, with the mineral becoming increasingly valuable as demand for artificial intelligence technology grows.

“Economically, Nevada is a relatively small state being mentioned in the same breath as California, Texas, Florida,” David Schmidt, chief economist for Nevada’s Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, told CNBC.

Nevada’s game-changing lithium reserves are fueling the surge of Californians fleeing to the desert state. rsgphoto – stock.adobe.com
Nevada’s roughly 110,000 square miles of open land have made it an attractive location for AI-related infrastructure. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

The jobs market is posting “really remarkable numbers that we’re seeing,” he added.

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Nevada’s workforce grew 1.9% between April 2025 and April 2026, the fastest rate in the nation and well ahead of the 0.2% increase recorded nationally, the outlet reported, citing Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

The growth was so strong that roughly 12% of all new jobs created in the United States during that period were added in Nevada, despite the state accounting for only about 1% of the country’s population.

Economic leaders say the gains are the result of years of efforts to diversify Nevada’s economy beyond gambling and entertainment.

Professional and business services jobs led Nevada’s growth over the past year, followed by education and health services positions. Schmidt attributed some of that growth to Nevada’s favorable tax policies.

The Nevada hiring boom comes as the state’s gaming industry, centered in Las Vegas, has softened. USA TODAY Sports

Nevada has also become increasingly attractive to companies pursuing new or expanded mining projects because of its bountiful lithium supplies, he said.

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Lithium is a key component in batteries used to help run AI models, while Nevada’s roughly 110,000 square miles of open land have made it an attractive location for AI-related infrastructure, including data centers.

The hiring boom comes as the state’s gaming industry has softened — Nevada’s economy is becoming less dependent on gambling and tourism.

An analysis of federal data found that about 60% of new jobs added in the Las Vegas region between 2016 and 2025 came from industries outside hospitality, construction and government.

LV Petroleum CEO Kris Roach told CNBC he has hired hundreds of workers over the past year to staff the company’s restaurants and travel centers.

Roach said recruiting has been “very easy,” with some management openings drawing more than 100 applications.

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About 60% of jobs added in Las Vegas came from industries outside hospitality, construction and government. Joshua Resnick – stock.adobe.com

He also pointed to a strong pool of white-collar workers, including former casino employees, for positions in finance and human resources.

“It’s a great state to operate in,” Roach said. “There’s so much untapped talent.”

Nevada’s population growth has also helped fuel the hiring boom.

Economists have linked part of that growth to the state’s proximity to California, with federal data showing Nevada’s population increased more than 62% between 2000 and 2025, compared with roughly 21% nationwide.

The state also remains less expensive than neighboring California, Idaho and Arizona.

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Emma Keserich, who moved to Las Vegas from the Washington, DC area last year said many newcomers are surprised by what they find.

“People think Las Vegas is just the Strip,” Keserich told CNBC. “There’s just more than what meets the eye.”


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The nation’s data center debate has reached Southern Nevada

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The nation’s data center debate has reached Southern Nevada












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National AI data center backlash reaches Southern Nevada as Henderson weighs moratorium | Environment | News





















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