RATTLER-BITE VICTIM IMPROVING.Byline: Jesse Hiestand Daily News Staff Writer A Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. toddler who was bitten by a baby rattlesnake rattlesnake, poisonous New World snake of the pit viper family, distinguished by a rattle at the end of the tail. The head is triangular, being widened at the base. The rattle is a series of dried, hollow segments of skin, which, when shaken, make a whirring sound. at home on Sunday afternoon was upgraded to stable condition Monday, a day after he was airlifted to a Santa Barbara Santa Barbara (săn'tə bär`brə, –bərə), city (1990 pop. 85,571), seat of Santa Barbara co., S Calif., on the Pacific Ocean; inc. 1850. hospital. Cottage Hospital officials said 21-month-old Jacob Staitman remained in the pediatric pediatric /pe·di·at·ric/ (pe?de-at´rik) pertaining to the health of children. pe·di·at·ric adj. Of or relating to pediatrics. intensive care unit but was no longer considered to be in serious condition. Jacob was bitten on the right hand about 1:25 p.m. Sunday while playing on the patio at his family's home in the 1600 block of Camberwell Place, said Ventura County Fire Capt. Richard Dyatt. ``When (firefighters) were responding to the call they thought it was a house snake or a garden snake, and they were surprised when they got there and saw it was rattler,'' he said. Realizing the child's life was in danger, Capt. Rob Werner requested a rescue helicopter, which set down near the cul-de-sac where the Staitman home sits, 100 feet from Potrero Creek. The child initially was taken to St. John's Regional Medical Center St. John's Regional Medical Center may refer to: In the United States:
The boy's parents declined to comment. Firefighters said it was unusual to find a baby rattlesnake now since rattlesnake season is typically from March to October. ``It's strange to see one of them this time of year because they normally hatch in the spring,'' Dyatt said. Dyatt also said it was rare to have a snake biting in that neighborhood, even though many houses abut To reach; to touch. To touch at the end; be contiguous; join at a border or boundary; terminate on; end at; border on; reach or touch with an end. The term abutting implies a closer proximity than the term adjacent. the rolling hills near Lake Sherwood. ``That was the first snake bite I've seen out here in at least 10 years,'' he said. Although the snake was considered a baby, it was about 20 inches long and very dangerous, he said. Young serpents tend to inject most of their venom when they bite whereas adult snakes have more control over the discharge of poison. Ventura County Animal Regulation officers warn people not to pick up venomous venomous secreting poison; poisonous. or nonvenomous snakes, since most will not bite unless provoked. Also, beware of rock and wood piles, since snakes seek the heat and rodents in them. And if a snake is found in a residential area, call animal regulation and keep an eye on the snake from a safe distance until an officer arrives. |
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