Local man bitten by rattlesnake on Quemazon Trail
A Los Alamos man in his mid-30’s suffered a rattlesnake bite to his left ankle while hiking on Quemazon Trail above Western Area this morning.
Fire Department personnel from responded to the Quemazon trailhead in Western Area around 10:15 am and reached the victim about 20 minutes later using a 4x4 ATV. The victim was brought back to the trailhead and transported by ambulance to LAMC in stable condition.
Multiple species of rattlesnakes live in and around Los Alamos, and they are particularly active at this time of year. Do not approach or try to kill a snake. The best way to avoid being bitten is to be aware of your surroundings and give all snakes a wide berth. If you’re out on the trails, wear sturdy shoes or boots that protect your feet and ankles.
If you are bitten:
Keep calm and reduce your exertion level.
Immediately call 911 and/or seek emergency medical care. Snakebite symptoms may not become immediately apparent, but antivenom is more effective if it’s administered as soon after the bite as possible.
Do not attempt to suck the venom out of the bite, slice open the bite area, or apply a tourniquet.
If you find a snake on a residental property or at a public area (e.g. parks or ballfields), keep an eye on it from a safe distance and contact Los Alamos Animal Control, 505-662-8222, to have it relocated.