July 21, 1998 Contact Ross West (541) 346-2060 UO BIOLOGIST WARNS LOCAL HIKERS TO WATCH OUT FOR RATTLERS "We have rattlesnakes in western Oregon and locally in the Spencer's Butte area as well as other locations in the foothills surrounding the Willamette Valley," says Tom Titus, adjunct assistant professor of biology at the University of Oregon. "If you come upon a rattlesnake while you're hiking, keep in mind that it doesn't want anything to do with you and you shouldn't have anything to do with it. Even if you startle a snake by coming upon it unexpectedly," Titus says, "it is unlikely to strike unless attacked. Back away and allow the snake to retreat." Titus has just completed teaching a summer course entitled Amphibians and Reptiles of Oregon. The bite of Oregon's Western Rattlesnake is usually not fatal, he says, but adds that it can be quite painful and cause swelling and tissue damage. Western rattlesnakes, which typically measure up to three feet long, spend the winter in communal dens, usually on open, rocky, south-facing exposures. They are active in the spring, summer and early fall. Look for the Web page that Titus maintains for information about rattlesnakes as well as numerous other Oregon reptiles and amphibians at <http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~titus/list.html>. SOURCE: Tom Titus, UO adjunct assistant professor of biology, (541) 346-4570. #T-7402/Daybook