Summer is prime time to encounter rattlesnakes, when you’re hiking or even working in the yard. Most people who have hiked in the mountains were probably closer to a rattlesnake than they knew, thanks to the snake’s camouflage.
Jason Jones, a wildlife biologist with the Division of Wildlife Resources, said an encounter with the slithering, venomous reptiles can be frightening, but doesn’t have to be. Jones noted that if you can find a safe place to observe the snake, “you’ll have a chance to observe the behavior of one of the most unique critters in the world.”
“Typically the problem is the person sees (the rattlesnake) and then harasses or tries to kill it, and they are typically the ones who end up with a snake bite,” Jones said.
Most snakes are camouflaged to their surroundings, and when rattlesnakes are out, they are generally trying to find a mate or food. Jones said if a person does encounter a rattlesnake, the best way to avoid being bitten is to give the snake its space.
I am Jeff Clark, founder of Internet Brothers, producer of this blog, and passionate about hiking. I live in Western NC near the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests are just out my door, so the content will focus on these areas, but let me know what you would like to see on the site. 
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