A third Californian, who has been bitten three times, dies from a snakebite

A woman died this month after being bitten three times by a snake while hiking in a rural area in the unincorporated Mendocino County community of Redwood Valley, officials said.

A 78-year-old Northern California woman is the third person to die in California during the mysterious snake outbreak. On average, five people die nationwide from venomous snake bites each year, according to state health officials.

An erratic weather pattern that included heavy rain and scorching heat served as a signal for rattlesnakes to come out of their winter burrows in search of food and friends. Warmer temperatures have also encouraged the state’s residents to venture outside. If they hit the trail, it increases their chances of running into snakes.

Although the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has not released details on the species of snake that killed the woman, rattlesnakes are the only venomous snakes in the county, according to the Resource Conservation District.

Rattlesnake activity begins in earnest in March, a month before the start of the high season, which is usually from April to October.

There were two snake-related incidents and several reports of snakebites in the state last month.

What we know about recent deaths

After being bitten by the snake three times, the woman – who has not been identified by officials – was taken by her family to the hospital for treatment, according to the Sheriff’s Office. But his health deteriorated.

He died from his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital two days later, according to sheriff’s officials.

A medical examiner performed a postmortem examination as part of the sheriff’s investigation into the woman’s death.

“The initial cause of death was determined to be disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and snake envenomation from a snake bite,” according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Types of venomous snakes in California

Rattlesnakes are the only native venomous snake in the state, according to the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Common snakes in California include Mojave, northern Pacific, red, sidewinder, spotted and western diamondback snakes.

They bite, injecting venom, for two reasons: to subdue their prey and to defend themselves, according to the California Poison Control System.

Six common rattlesnakes are found in different regions of the state:

• Mojave rattlesnakes can be found in the Mojave desert.
• The Northern Pacific rattlesnake is found in the Central Valley.
• Red rattlesnakes live in the southwestern region of the state and the Baja Peninsula.
• Sidewinders, diamondbacks and western rattlesnakes can be found in the southeast region of the state, especially in the desert.

Encountering snakes in California

Last month, the California Poison Control System reported 77 calls about rattlesnake bites in the first three months of 2026. On average, the agency reports 290 to 390 rattlesnakes per year.

Earlier this month, a rattlesnake bite was reported in Ventura County near the Cal State Channel Islands campus. The deceased received minor injuries.

Most recently, in Los Angeles County, a snake that was not killed on April 18 in Palos Verdes Estates while a woman was picking flowers in the open area of ​​Paseo Del Campo, according to the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department.

Despite rattlesnake bites, fatal rattlesnake bites are rare. About 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes every year, and only about five of those bites die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

See a rattlesnake, don’t panic

The best way to avoid rattlesnakes is to stay on the designated path and be careful where you step.

If you see a rattlesnake in the wild, experts say, the best thing to do is keep your distance. Back away from the snake.

“Give rattlesnakes at least three to four feet of space, and more for larger individuals,” says Greg Pauly, curator of herpetology at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. “Just step away, take a few photos to add to a public science site like iNaturalist, and let yourself and the snake continue on your journey.”

During a hike, if you need to take a break from a log or rock, be sure to check it before sitting down — it could be a resting place for a snake.

If you are bitten by a rattlesnake, experts say call 911 immediately and call the California Poison Control System hotline at (800) 222-1222 for more advice.