Rattlesnake Bites Spike Across California

Unseasonable warmth brings snakes out of dens early, leading to higher number of encounters and attacks

Apr. 17, 2026 at 6:56pm

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A minimalist neon outline of a coiled rattlesnake, its sinuous form glowing against a dark background, conveying the inherent danger and unpredictability of these reptiles as they emerge from their dens earlier due to warming temperatures.As climate change alters the natural rhythms of California's wildlife, encounters with venomous rattlesnakes are on the rise, posing new public health challenges.Santa Barbara Today

A recent spike in rattlesnake encounters and bites across California has prompted warnings from officials and experts. Unseasonably warm weather has pulled the snakes out of their winter dens weeks ahead of schedule, leading to a surge in sightings and attacks, including a woman bitten on a hike in Santa Barbara County. While fatal bites remain rare, the state has already seen two deaths this year, an unusually high toll.

Why it matters

Rattlesnake encounters and bites are on the rise in California due to climate change-driven shifts in snake behavior, posing a public health risk and highlighting the need for greater awareness and safety precautions, especially in outdoor recreation areas.

The details

A woman hiking in Santa Barbara County on Sunday reported being bitten on the ankle by a rattlesnake, prompting firefighters to carry her off the trail and send her to a nearby hospital. This incident is the seventh rattlesnake bite in Southern California over the past six weeks, two of which were fatal - an unusually high number, as the US typically sees only around five snakebite deaths of any kind annually. Experts say the snakes are not multiplying, but rather showing up earlier than usual due to unseasonably warm March weather that has pulled them out of their winter dens weeks ahead of schedule.

  • On Sunday, a woman was bitten by a rattlesnake while hiking in Santa Barbara County.
  • Over the past six weeks, there have been seven rattlesnake bites in Southern California, two of which were fatal.

The players

Montecito Fire Department

The fire department that responded to the rattlesnake bite incident in Santa Barbara County and transported the victim to the hospital.

California Poison Control

The organization that has already tallied 77 rattlesnake bite calls this year, indicating a spike in incidents.

Rattlesnake expert

An expert who explains that rattlesnakes would generally rather hide than strike, but will defend themselves as a last resort when approached.

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What they’re saying

“When they see us, their heart rate goes up and their first instinct is to not move and hope that we don't see them. Once they realize we might be approaching them, then they're going to defend themselves, but only as a measure of last resort.”

— Rattlesnake expert

The takeaway

This spike in rattlesnake encounters and bites underscores the need for increased public awareness and safety precautions when enjoying the outdoors in California, as climate change-driven shifts in snake behavior pose a growing public health risk that requires proactive measures to mitigate.