Watch Your Step, More Rattlesnakes Are Emerging From Their Dens Around New Mexico

As the mercury rises on thermometers, snakes around the state surface from their dens to begin laying eggs and hunting.

Some are non-venomous (like bullsnakes) and are mostly harmless (like garter snakes). But rattlesnakes are the ones that will have you constantly watching your step.

Because they can be found everywhere, it's a good idea to know where they live and what to do when you encounter one.

In a nutshell, it explains that snakes come out of hibernation in the spring, lay eggs, and quietly lie in wait for prey. They typically prefer areas where they can hide, such as firewood stacks, tall grass, and shrubs.

Since New Mexico's rattlers are mostly shades of brown, gray, and green, they can easily blend in with their environment. This is why it's important to keep an eye out for rattlesnakes when out for a hike, doing yard work, or even walking the dog.

If they are cornered or encounter a threat by larger animals, they will strike from their coiled pose. As of 2015, up to 80 people per year were bitten by rattlers in New Mexico. People rarely die of rattlesnake bites these days, but the emergency treatment costs can quickly add up to a very hefty bill.

Depending on its length, rattlers can strike up to five feet away. If you are bitten, the New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center recommends staying calm, immobilizing the bite area and keeping it level with the heart, and seeking medical treatment immediately.