A bike ride at the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve in San Diego earlier this month took a frightening turn when a mountain biker collided with a rattlesnake.
Manuel Altamirano was biking on the preserve around 6:30 p.m. on April 10 when he saw the snake.
"It all happened so fast," Altamirano said in an Instagram post, adding that this was not his first encounter with venomous snakes. "Usually they are stretched out and if you can't avoid them, you can hop over them."
This time, though, Altamirano says the snake was "coiled up in ready position," making it challenging for the biker to avoid or jump over the reptile. Despite making efforts to stop, he says he rolled his front tire over the snake and crashed.
"I was already bailing off the rear at this point," Altamirano said.
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The snake stayed in its position, coiled next to the bike lying on the ground. That's when Altamirano, along with his friends, started recording. The snake faced the bike before unraveling and slithering into the nearby brush.
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"Thankfully he turned out to be very chill about it all and it doesn't look like he got hurt," Altamirano said.
Altamirano shared the shocking video on his Instagram, @shutternspokes, garnering more than 4,200 likes.
What to do if you encounter a rattlesnake
Rattlesnakes are most active during the spring and summer. While encounters are rare, most happen at dawn, dusk and night since the snakes want to avoid overheating, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The reptiles tend to avoid humans but they will bite if a snake feels threatened. Most occur between April and October, while both are more active outdoors, the DFW said.
To avoid being bitten, stay alert and on well-used trails. Wear boots and loose-fitting long pants and never sandals or flip-flops, especially in grassy areas. Check rocks or stumps before sitting down.
When you go hiking, be sure to let others know where you are going when you plan to return.
Getting bit by a rattlesnake is rare, but if it happens, you must act quickly, the DFW says.
- Remove any watches, rings or shoes that could restrict swelling. Do not apply a tourniquet.
- Do not use ice, cut the wound with a knife or razor or suck out the venom.
- Go to the nearest medical facility as soon as possible.
For more information about rattlesnake encounters in Southern California, click here.
