Wildlife Safety Issues - shellcontractor.com · Timber Rattlesnake Safety -Timber rattlesnakes are...

Wildlife Specialists the wildlife experts

Wildlife Safety Issues


Wildlife Specialists’ role

Biological Surveys Bats

Timber rattlesnakes

Allegheny woodrat

Other wildlife

Rare plants

Invasive species

Species/Resource Monitoring Timber rattlesnakes

Wetland restoration

Consultation & Planning for avoidance or mitigation


environmental protection

Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) Reviews DCNR (native wild plants,

natural communities, & terrestrial invertebrates)

Game Commission (birds & mammals)

Fish Commission (all aquatic animals, reptiles, & amphibians)

US Fish & Wildlife Service (all Federally-protected species)

Regulations & Permitting DEP (stream crossings,

wetlands, water quality) County Conservation Districts

(erosion & sedimentation) Susquehanna/Delaware River

Basin Commission (water consumption)

Landowner Specific Regulations for public Lands (State Forests, Parks, Gamelands, National Forests, etc.)


Timber Rattlesnake

Timber Rattlesnake Facts



Timber Rattlesnake


other species

- 21 Snake species native to Pa.

- Only 3 are venomous


Timber Rattlesnake Facts

-Timber rattlesnakes breed in either the spring or fall and give birth to an average of 9 young in August to late September. -Females carry their young for an entire year. The young snakes are born live in a membranous sac which they open with a sharp egg tooth. -The 8 to 10-inch long young are equipped with a single, tiny rattle segment (button), venom and fangs; they receive no maternal care. -Timber rattlesnakes reach sexual maturity between 7 to 10 years of age. Females breed every third or fourth year. -Members of the “pit viper” family - 2 Hollow fangs connected to a venom gland. Venom is not defensive. It is used to immobilize prey and aids in digestion. Defensive bites may carry only a fraction of the venom injected in prey.


Timber Rattlesnake Facts -Hibernate during winter months in rocky ledges. May hibernate with other species. Breeding only happens in Spring and fall, whenever males and receptive females are in same area. -They will travel on average of 2 miles. Males have been recorded travelling 7 miles from the den. -Grow on average from 36-60 inches. Maximum recorded length was 74”. And live to 20-30 years -Two color phases: Black and Yellow


Timber Rattlesnake Safety

-Timber rattlesnakes are secretive by nature. They usually detect approaching humans and move away to hide. If a sleeping rattlesnake is encountered, it may recoil into a defensive posture and rattle. When this situation occurs, the best solution is to back away slowly. Snake vision is designed to detect motion; quick movements may further agitate the snake. -The likelihood of being bitten by a rattlesnake is quite small. Timber rattlesnakes are generally very docile snakes, and typically bite as a last resort. Instead, its instincts are to avoid danger by retreating to cover, using its rattle to warn, and even puff itself up to appear bigger -Upon further provocation, the snake may bluff strike, where it lunges out, but doesn’t open its mouth. If this doesn’t work to scare away the threat, the snake may strike with an open mouth. Because venom is costly for a rattlesnake to produce, and you are not considered food, a snake often will not actively inject venom when it bites. In fact, nearly half of all timber rattlesnake bites to humans contain little to no venom, commonly referred to as dry or medically insignificant bites.



Snake Chaps: Snake Hook*

Snake Tongs* Restraining Tube and Bagger*



-Bites are rare and usually involve drugs or alcohol…not by the snake. If a bite occurs, medical attention should be sought as soon as possible. The victim should remain calm; an increased heart rate will speed up the spread of venom. The traditional snake bite treatment of a tourniquet and sucking out of the venom is not recommended. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING A BITE:

Do:

• Move away from the snake to avoid sustaining further possible bites • Remain calm • Remove rings, watches, bracelets

Don't:

• Do not cut the snakebite • Do not apply ice • Do not attempt to suck the venom out with your mouth • Do not administer alcohol or drugs



-Step 1: Place the bitten limb in a comfortable position at a level slightly lower than the victim's heart. If the bite victim is in the field and is not accessible by vehicle/ATV, that person should walk slowly and calmly out of the field, trying to keep his/her heart rate down. -Step 2: Note the time that the bite occurred. . If you have a pen or a marker, outline the red, swollen area around the bite. If you do not have a pen/marker, this step may be skipped. It is more important to get to a medical facility than to search for a pen/marker. -Step 3: LIGHTLY wrap a wide constriction band around the bitten limb just above the bite site. Leave the constriction band in place until the victim has arrived at a medical facility and anti-venom therapy has been initiated if deemed necessary.



-Step 4: Get to a hospital that carries anti-vemon as soon as possible, preferably within one hour of the bite. Call ahead, if possible, to alert them you are coming. Verify that they have CroFab Antivenom The fear of snakes is a learned behavior, which has been exacerbated by such things as myths and media misrepresentation. Public attitudes toward snakes are slowly changing. More people are beginning to see snakes not only as fascinating creatures, but also as important animals in nature. Timber rattlesnakes, which feed primarily on small mammals, help to keep rodent populations in check and help reduce threats associated with rodent-transmitted diseases.

Bears- A common sight on active drilling/fracking operations

- Bears leave their dens around April or May and have lost 30% of their pre-denning weight. They will continue to lose weight till July when the berry season comes in. - Bears are creatures of opportunity; if you provide them with a food source, they will take it. - Sub-adults. Adolescent bears, (2 to 3 year old bears), are involved in most human/bear encounters. The young bears will have more encounters with humans because they are: 1: curious 2: they are sometimes not able to forage for sufficient food, so they become very opportunistic and seek human food.

Bears- A common sight on drilling/fracking operations

- Black bears will usually flee from humans if given the chance. Black bears use their forest habitat for protection, with trees for cover or climbing. However, black bears are curious and very adaptable and will quickly become accustomed to humans and human activity. Even though black bears are smaller and seem less of a threat treat all black bears with caution. - Old bears or wounded bears or bears with teeth malformations can be dangerous because they are very hungry or starving. - Younger bears, 2 – 3 years old, are also dangerous because they are often driven from the best feeding areas by the older, dominant bears and therefore must travel longer distances searching for food. They are easily attracted to human food sources and may become aggressive to obtain it. - Bears that have been feeding in dumps or have regularly obtained food from human have become “human food habituated.” These bears are accustomed to humans and link people as sources for obtaining food. Such bears can be very dangerous as they will enter your camp in a search for food.

How to react to Bear Encounters

IF THE BEAR IS AT A DISTANCE - Consider your surroundings and access the situation before you act. - Remain calm. Do not turn your back to a bear. Leave the area quietly in the same direction that you came from. -Move while the bear’s head is down. Stop moving when the bear lifts its head to check its surroundings - DO NOT RUN – You will trigger the bear’s natural response to chase you. Bears are extremely fast and you cannot outrun a bear. (They are as fast as an Olympic sprinter, so if you are not faster than an Olympic sprinter, don’t run! They can run 40 km/hr and you can’t!) You cannot out swim a bear either.


IF THE BEAR IS NEAR - Do not make direct eye–contact with the bear. - Do not make any sudden moves. - Do not run! - The bear needs to identify you as a person, so talk in low tones and slowly wave your arms your head. - Attempt to give the bear an opportunity to leave. Be sure the bear has an open escape route. Do not corner a wild animal. - Try to back away slowly and/or climb a tree if appropriate.


IF THE BEAR IS NEAR AND THREATENING -If you have bear spray be prepared to use it. -If not then try to act as non-threatening as possible. Talk to it in a calm authoritative voice. -Do not startle the bear by sudden loud noise or by sudden moves. -Never imitate the bears sounds or posture. -Back slowly away and drop something on the ground to distract it from you -Remember that the bear may be protecting cubs or food that you may not see.


IF THE BEAR VERY CLOSE AND APPROACHING -If you have bear spray, use it. -If the bear does not respond to the deterrent you must now STAND YOUR GROUND! IF THE BEAR CHARGES -If you are armed, shoot to kill. Shoot low neck (broadside), below center of neck (facing you), or the front shoulder area. Never aim for the head as head shots often will NOT kill a bear. Keep shooting till the bear is dead. Never leave a wounded bear. -If not armed, then play dead


PLAYING DEAD -Older information says to curl into a ball. New information says to lay prone with hands behind neck and legs spread. If the bear rolls you over, roll back to prone. Do not resist or fight. Wait till you think the bear is done and leaves….then wait a little longer. - If the attack is prolonged and if the bear begins to eat you, the attack has changed from defensive to predatory. FIGHT BACK! Concentrate your efforts on the eyes and nose of the bear.


bats

- 9 Species in Pa.

- 1 Federally Endangered (Indiana Bat)

- 1 Threatened in Pa. (Small Footed Bat)

- 3 nearly on endangered list (Little Brown, Tri-colored, Northern Long Eared)


bats – specialized features


bats

These photos by Nathan McCandless


bats – specialized features


Bat facts: -Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight. -Almost 1,000 bat species can be found worldwide. In fact, bats make up a quarter of all mammal species on earth! -70% of bats consume insects, sharing a large part of natural pest control. There are also fruit-eating bats; nectar-eating bats; carnivorous bats that prey on small mammals, birds, lizards and frogs; fish-eating bats, and perhaps most famously, the blood-sucking vampire bats of South America. -To survive the winter some species of bat migrate, others hibernate, and yet others go into torpor (regulated hypothermia that can last from a few hours to a few months).


Bat safety: - Animals infected with rabies will exhibit strange behaviors. If you see a bat lying on the ground or inside your home, do not touch it. Even dead bats can spread rabies. - If you must handle a bat, do not handle without gloves. - Rabies can be passed on by bodily fluids. If bats have been in your home, you should see your doctor. Because fluids can spread rabies, you may not be aware you or a member of your family has been infected. Some bats can bite without it being felt, and the marks may be too small to be detected. - The best way to get a bat out of a room is to open a window, close all doors, and turn the lights out.


what will you do?

Rob Schwarz [email protected]

Wildlife Safety Issues - shellcontractor.com · Timber Rattlesnake Safety -Timber rattlesnakes are...

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