The body of a man believed in his early 30s was found in Mission Trails Regional park last Wednesday morning - possibly a victim of a rattlesnake bite.
There are four species of rattlesnakes found in San Diego. The Red Diamond and Southern Pacific are the most common, followed by the speckled and side winder. All of them are deadly.
A woman in Oceanside was struck twice in the ankle by a rattlesnake while pushing her baby stroller near the airport last month. Her throat and eyes swelled and she was temporarily paralyzed, but survived.
San Diego Zoo reptile keeper Brett Baldwin says the best way to avoid a snake bite is to keep your eyes on the traill. If you want to look at the scenery, stop walking so you don't accidentally disturb a dormant snake.
"If you are bitten by a snake don't try to clean the wound or make any incisions like they used to do in the past. Just get to the hospital as fast as possible," said Baldwin.
Your cellphone is the best thing you can carry with you while hiking or running on the trail. If you are bitten, call 911 immediately for help.
The County Medical Emergency department has fielded fewer reports of snake bites this year - about 21 calls from across the county. Most were non-life threatening.
