Re: When do the rattlesnakes hybernate?

One day I came across a Southern Pacific Rattler by my truck when I began hiking to DCHS and it was 50 degrees even, with cold windy conditions. It just layed there fully streched out and did not move at all. When I got back from my hike later in the day it was gone so it was alive. Thats as cold as I have ever seen a rattler out and about in such cold temps and it was probably trying to warm up in the sunshine as it was in a clear area exposed to the sun. Our little pooch Piper, a miniature pincher got bit by a rattler while I was hiking in Granite Mountains near our home in northeastern Apple Valley. He had never seen a rattler before and he was going after it when I saw the strike from the snake, which luckily for Piper just pierced his ear. I did get Piper away from the snake after that and he hiked home ok but that night the side of his neck and face near the ear completely blew up with fluid under the skin and I thought he was going to die for a while, but by morning he pulled through. If it had been a strike to the body he would have died for sure. So your concerns Cowgirl are warranted.