PHOTO: Submitted by Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve
The public is being asked to take precautions against rattlesnake bites. So far this month, the West Parry Sound Health Centre says there have been seven bites treated with four right here in Parry Sound, two in Midland, and the other in Grey Bruce. One of the bites in Parry Sound was a dry bite where no venom was injected. The Georgian Bay Biosphere says that the key message about rattlesnake bites is that they can be prevented with simple precautions such as wearing closed toe shoes or boots and long pants especially when walking at night, in open rocky areas, or through brush and long grass and never pick up or harass snakes. The Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake is a threatened species in our area with more information about them available at massasauga.ca.