Surreal illustration of California landscape showing the link between drought, rain, and snakebites.

Snakebites and Climate Change: What You Need to Know

Theo Raines monogram
Theo Raines in Climate & Environment November 2026 • 4 min read.

"A new study reveals the surprising link between weather patterns, drought, and snakebite incidents in California."


Snakebites are a significant health concern worldwide, with millions of cases reported annually. While the impact of climate change on various ecosystems is well-documented, its effect on human-wildlife interactions, such as snakebites, is less understood. A recent study sheds light on this connection, revealing a surprising relationship between weather patterns and snakebite incidents in California.

The study, published in 'Clinical Toxicology', analyzed snakebite data from the California Poison Control System (CPCS) over a 20-year period (1997-2017), correlating it with weather data, population demographics, and land characteristics. Researchers aimed to determine if there are correlations between Californian snakebite incidence and weather patterns, especially drought and precipitation.

This article breaks down the key findings of this research, explaining how drought and precipitation patterns influence snakebite risk, what you can do to stay safe, and what these trends mean for the future.

The Surprising Link Between Drought, Rain, and Snakebites

Surreal illustration of California landscape showing the link between drought, rain, and snakebites.

The study revealed a fascinating inverse relationship between drought and snakebites. Counterintuitively, snakebite incidence decreased during periods of drought, while it increased after periods of significant rainfall. Specifically, the researchers found:

Snakebite incidence decreased by 3.8% for every 10% increase in drought conditions during the six months prior to the incident.

  • Snakebite incidence increased by 3.9% for every 10% increase in precipitation during the 18 months prior to the incident.
  • The most snakebites happen in the spring and summer months.
  • Shrub and scrubland areas see the most snakebites.
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Research on Climate and Snakebite Risk

A systematic review reports that the same climate variables are used to predict the occurrence of snakebites. A 2018 paper is titled "Snakebites and climate change in California, 1997–2017." A broader 2023 review discusses research published during the last decade on how climate change influences the risk of physically harmful human-wildlife interactions.

Limits of the California Study

The California study used a retrospective analysis of snakebites reported to the Californian Poison Control System. Its observation period ran from 1 September 1997 to 30 September 2017. This design describes reported cases over time but, from the supplied material alone, does not establish a broader causal relationship between climate change and snakebites.

These findings suggest that snake behavior and prey availability are significantly influenced by water availability. Increased rainfall may lead to a boom in rodent populations, which in turn attracts more snakes, increasing the likelihood of human encounters.

Staying Safe: Practical Tips for Snakebite Prevention

While the study highlights broader environmental trends, individual precautions remain crucial for preventing snakebites. Here are some practical tips to keep in mind: <ul><li><b>Be Aware of Your Surroundings:</b> When hiking or walking in natural areas, stick to marked trails and avoid walking through tall grass or dense vegetation.</li> <li><b>Wear Appropriate Clothing:</b> Wear closed-toe shoes or hiking boots and long pants when in snake-prone areas.</li> <li><b>Watch Where You Step and Reach:</b> Never put your hands or feet where you cannot see clearly. Be cautious when moving rocks or logs.</li> <li><b>Keep a Safe Distance:</b> If you encounter a snake, maintain a safe distance (at least 6 feet) and do not attempt to approach or provoke it.</li> <li><b>Stay Informed:</b> Check local weather conditions and be aware of recent precipitation patterns, as these can influence snake activity.</li></ul> By staying informed and taking proactive measures, you can minimize your risk of snakebites and enjoy the outdoors safely.

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Evidence Mismatch

The supplied sources for this subsection concern the 2024/25 English Premier League season. The official Premier League website provides standings, form guides, season archives, news, fixtures, scores, and results. USA TODAY also provides 2024–25 English Premier League standings, so these sources do not supply evidence about snakebites, climate change, or expert commentary on either topic.

Evidence Mismatch

The supplied sources describe Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that gifts free books to children from birth to age five through funding from Dolly Parton and local community partners. The Australia page says enrolled children receive a high-quality, age-appropriate book in the mail each month at no cost. The availability page allows people to check whether the program operates in their area and register online or by mail, but the supplied material does not address snakebites or climate change.

The California poison-control study at a glance

Study designObservational study[1]
PopulationVenomous snakebite reports in California[1]
Sample size5365 reported venomous snakebites[1]
Duration1 September 1997 to 30 September 2017[1]
Main outcomeSnakebite incidence and its association with weather patterns and climate changes[1]
Effect sizeIncidence decreased by 3.8% for each 10% increase in 6-month prior drought and increased by 3.9% for each 10% increase in 18-month prior precipitation[1]
Confidence interval95% CI 75.6-77.9%[1]
Times cited26[1]

What a retrospective report study can show

Observational study (level 4 of 8)

The study is observational: it examines reported venomous snakebites and their associations with weather, rather than assigning weather conditions. Its population and report-based design make it evidence about patterns in California reports, not a direct test of how weather causes individual bites.[1]

What the weather pattern adds up to

The findings point to weather conditions as useful predictors of reported snakebite patterns in California, but prediction is not the same as proving a direct cause. The analysis related reports to weather and other county-level characteristics, so it describes associations rather than a single pathway from weather to bites.[1]

Questions the findings leave open

  • What biological or behavioral processes account for the different timing of drought and precipitation associations in the California reports?[1] [2]

Sources

  1. Snakebites and climate change in California, 1997–2017 (Informa UK Limited, 2018)
  2. Implications of global environmental change for the burden of snakebite (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

About this Article -

Written with AI assistance from published research, and reviewed by the Mystum team. See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1080/15563650.2018.1508690, Alternate LINK

Title: Snakebites And Climate Change In California, 1997–2017

Subject: Toxicology

Journal: Clinical Toxicology

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Authors: Caleb Phillips, Grant S. Lipman, Hallam Gugelmann, Katie Doering, Derrick Lung

Published: 2018-09-04

Everything You Need To Know

1

What was the main objective of the 'Clinical Toxicology' study?

The 'Clinical Toxicology' study analyzed snakebite data from the California Poison Control System (CPCS) over a 20-year period, correlating it with weather data, population demographics, and land characteristics. Researchers sought to determine correlations between Californian snakebite incidence and weather patterns, especially drought and precipitation. This is important because it provides insight into how environmental factors, like weather, influence human-wildlife interactions, specifically in the context of snakebites. The implications of these findings can help in public health preparedness and awareness.

2

How does drought and precipitation affect snakebite incidence, according to the study?

The study discovered an inverse relationship between drought and snakebites in California. Snakebite incidence decreased by 3.8% for every 10% increase in drought conditions in the six months prior to the incident. Conversely, snakebite incidence increased by 3.9% for every 10% increase in precipitation in the 18 months prior to the incident. This is significant because it highlights how water availability, influenced by drought and precipitation, affects snake behavior and, consequently, the likelihood of human encounters. Implications include the need to consider weather patterns when assessing snakebite risk and adjusting safety precautions.

3

During which months are snakebites most common?

The most snakebites happen in the spring and summer months. This is likely due to increased outdoor activity by humans and heightened snake activity as well. The implications of this seasonal trend are that people should be extra cautious during these months, taking all necessary precautions when in snake-prone areas, such as wearing appropriate clothing and staying informed about local conditions.

4

In what types of areas are snakebites most likely to occur?

Shrub and scrubland areas see the most snakebites. This is because these areas often provide suitable habitat for both snakes and their prey, leading to a higher likelihood of encounters. The implication is that people should exercise extra caution in these environments, staying on marked trails, avoiding tall grass, and being vigilant about where they step and reach.

5

What are some practical tips for preventing snakebites?

You can stay safe by being aware of your surroundings, wearing appropriate clothing (closed-toe shoes and long pants), watching where you step and reach, keeping a safe distance from snakes (at least 6 feet), and staying informed about local weather conditions, especially precipitation. By following these tips, you minimize your risk of snakebites. It is important to understand that the implications of these steps are proactive measures to reduce the risk of snakebites, which are critical for personal safety, particularly in areas known for snake activity or after periods of significant rainfall.

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