A 78-year-old woman died on April 10 after being bitten three times by a venomous snake in Redwood Valley, Northern California, marking the third fatal snake bite in the state this year. The incident occurred on April 8 while she was walking in a rural area, according to the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office. She was treated at a hospital but succumbed to her injuries two days later.
Rising Snake Activity and Fatalities
The death follows two other fatal snake bites in California this year. In February, a 25-year-old man died after being bitten by a rattlesnake while mountain biking in Irvine, and in March, a 46-year-old woman died after a rattlesnake bite while hiking at Wildwood Regional Park. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife notes that peak rattlesnake season runs from April to October, with bites most common during this period.
Unseasonable Weather and Increased Encounters
Experts attribute the early snake activity to unseasonable weather patterns, including heavy rain and extreme heat, which prompted rattlesnakes to emerge earlier than usual. The warmer temperatures also encouraged more outdoor activity among residents, increasing the likelihood of encounters with snakes. Rattlesnakes are the only venomous snakes native to Mendocino County, according to the county's Resource Conservation District.
Medical and Investigative Details
A forensic pathologist determined the preliminary cause of death as disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and snake envenomation. The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office confirmed the woman was taken to a local hospital by family members after the bites but did not specify the snake species involved.