Rattlesnakes make early appearance in foothills

Rattlesnakes have been spotted near Gleneagles Place in La Cañada Flintridge, another sign that a warm spring is causing more early encounters between foothills residents and wildlife than usual.

Neal Peterson, a Gleneagles resident since 1975, said he encountered a baby rattlesnake Wednesday morning, and others before the most recent rainstorm. “That’s pretty early for us,” said Peterson. “They usually don’t start coming out until it gets hot, but we’ve had some warmer weather. “

California Department of Fish & Game officials say warm spring weather also prompted a bear to awake from hibernation and lumber out of the mountains in March to look for food in North Glendale and La Crescenta. The bear was captured April 10 and relocated deep in the Angeles National Forest.

Fish and Game recommends that people exercise caution in areas that may be home to rattlesnakes by not walking barefoot or in sandals, by staying on established trails and by only stepping or reaching into places where they can see what is there.

“You live up here, you better be aware of wildlife,” said Peterson. “We’re well aware of where we’re at, and we don’t allow our dogs to be outside freely. That’s half the battle.”

ALSO:

School board will continue to accept third-party complaints

Hikers beware: Officials warn of Eaton Canyon dangers

Bodies found at Hahamongna and Pasadena home

-- Bill Kisliuk, Times Community News

Twitter: @bkisliuk