SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Rattlesnake sightings are on the rise across San Diego County.
With summer around the corner, new county data is revealing which areas saw the most sightings within the last five years.
The top areas with snake sightings in San Diego County area are El Cajon, Spring Valley, Fallbrook, Escondido and San Diego.
Here's a breakdown of the numbers:
- El Cajon — 190
- Spring Valley — 164
- Fallbrook — 160
- Escondido — 132
- San Diego — 99
- Lakeside — 96
- Jamul — 73
- Vista — 64
- Ramona — 57
- Rancho Santa Fe — 54
“El Cajon would make sense because it’s hot out there," said one San Diegan, who was not surprised to learn El Cajon topped the list with the most calls.
“Even in your own backyard you can’t be too safe," said San Diegan Maxximus Chavez.
San Diegans are being urged to stay alert while outdoors.
“Here, Lake Murray … I always keep an eye out because you never know when one’s going to slither across your path," said Chavez.
“We definitely want to come out and have a good time so we don’t want to end up at an urgent care, so we just keep are eyes out, stomp our feet, make sure to stay safe," said another San Diegan.
Although rattlesnakes can be seen year-around throughout the region, sightings are more common from April to September.
“A lot of snakes love rock piles because rock piles are a great refuge for them there. They’re sturdy, they’re fortified, they're impenetrable. The snakes can get under there and escape if they need to be," said Alexander Trejo a snake wrangler.
“You never know when they can come up. They can be anywhere, they can hide in the grass, they can hide in the bushes, under the rocks, under your porch. You have really no idea," added Chavez.
Just recently, a two-year-old boy was bitten by a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake while playing outside his family’s backyard. He was rushed to the hospital where he stayed in the ICU for several days.
It took 30 vials of anti-venom to save his life.
“I thought he was going to die, and we all thought he was going to die, even the doctors thought he was going to die. Nobody knows how he’s alive," said the boy's mother, Lindsay Pfeffer.
If you come across a rattlesnake, experts say to stay as far away as possible.
“The number one thing you need to do if you ever see a rattlesnake is to avoid it at all cost. Doesn’t benefit you, it doesn’t benefit the animal to go up and try to mess with her to move it. If you see a snake, let it do its thing," added Trejo.
If bitten by a rattlesnake, call 911 immediately. Urgent cares do not have anti-venom, but they can help stabilize a patient and arrange for transport to a nearby hospital.
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