Lone rattlesnake spotted in Southern California park

Residents of a Southern California park got a bit of a scare over the weekend when they spotted a lone rattlesnake.

The snake was seen at Tejon Ranch Park in Lebec, about 60 miles north of Los Angeles.

Claire Poynter, who spotted the snake, said, "It was just beautiful and then all of the sudden it rattled and I was like, 'Oh my God, there's a rattlesnake.'"

The rattlesnake is believed to be an escaped pet as there have been no reports of native snakes in the area.

Rattlesnakes are common in California and can be found in both rural and urban areas. They are usually shy and will try to avoid contact with humans, but they can be dangerous if provoked.

Rattlesnake bite sends toddler to hospital

A rattlesnake bite sends a toddler to the hospital.

The incident happened on Sunday afternoon when the 2-year-old was playing in the backyard of his home in the town of Yucca Valley, located about 85 miles east of Los Angeles, according to a statement from the Morongo Basin Regional Animal Control District.

The toddler was playing with his dog in the yard when he picked up a snake that was hiding in some rocks. The snake bit the child on his hand.

His parents called 911 and transported him to Hi-Desert Medical Center, where he was treated and released later that night.

Rattlesnake Whisperer Stops Arizona Rattlesnake Invasion

Arizona is in the middle of a rattlesnake invasion, and no one seems to know how to stop it. Until now.

Enter the Rattlesnake Whisperer: a Phoenix-area woman with a special gift for communicating with rattlesnakes. She's managed to stop the invasion and save homeowners from being bitten.

How does she do it? She simply talks to the snakes, convincing them that they don't need to invade Arizona's neighborhoods.

"I tell them, 'You're not wanted here. Go back to where you came from,'" said the Rattlesnake Whisperer. "It seems to be working."

So far, her method has been 100% successful, and she's been able to talk dozens of snakes out of invading populated areas.

The Rattlesnake Whisperer is a self-taught expert who has been interacting with snakes since she was a child. She learned how to communicate with them by watching their body language and listening to the sound of their rattles.

Now, she's using her skills to help keep Arizonans safe from venomous snakes.

Man films himself being attacked by rattlesnake

In a video that is sure to send chills down your spine, a man films himself being attacked by a rattlesnake.

The unidentified man can be seen standing in a driveway next to his car, when a large rattlesnake suddenly emerges from the undergrowth and strikes him.

The man tries to shake the snake off, but it continues to bite him multiple times. Amazingly, the man does not appear to be seriously injured and can be heard laughing as he walks away from the snake.

Rattlesnakes are often considered to be one of the most dangerous creatures in North America, and can cause serious injury or even death if they bite you. This video is a sobering reminder of just how dangerous they can be.

Researchers study venomous snakes in hopes of saving lives

Venomous snakes are feared by many, but they can also be a boon to medical science. Venom is a complex mixture of toxins that can paralyze or even kill prey. By studying venom, researchers can develop new drugs and treatments for conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders.

One recent study looked at the venom of the king cobra, one of the world's most venomous snakes. The king cobra's venom contains toxins that can damage nerve cells and lead to paralysis. The study found that these toxins can also kill cancer cells. This could lead to new treatments for cancer patients, who often experience nerve damage as a side effect of chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Snake venom is also being studied as a potential treatment for heart disease. One compound found in snake venom, called "toxin-induced heart failure peptide" (TIHF), has been shown to improve heart function in lab tests. More research is needed to determine if TIHF could be used to treat heart disease in humans, but the early results are promising.

Snake venom may also hold the key to treating autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Some venoms contain proteins that can suppress the immune system. Researchers are working to identify these proteins and figure out how they work. This could lead to the development of targeted treatments for autoimmune disorders.

So far, snake venom has been little studied compared to other venomous animals like spiders and scorpions. But with new discoveries being made all the time, it's likely that snake venom will play an important role in modern medicine for years to come.