More snakebites reported in southwest

You may not ever be able to hear consistent reasons why (urban sprawl is one oft-cited culprit), but it seems there are more people getting bitten by snakes than in years past in Texas and California. At least, that's according to USA Today.

An excerpt:

The American Association of Poison Control Centers receives around 2,000 reports of snakebites each year. Bite reports increased 8% from 2006 to 2007, the most recent national data available, said executive director Jim Hirt. Cities in central Texas and southern California have seen an increase in snakebites in recent months ... Douglas Borys of the Central Texas Poison Center says in the month of June, reported cases in the region were up 35% from 2008. All of Texas saw a 6% increase. Hospitals in southern California have seen a surge in seriously ill snakebite patients this summer, says Sean Bush, an expert on snakebites at Loma Linda University Medical Center in southern California ...

But there's a clue, maybe? In another USA Today piece, the Oklahoma rattlesnake roundup is advertising fun for the whole family.

An excerpt:

Despite misgivings, Courtney Lewis, 17, says the three-day rattlesnake roundup, which ended Sunday, "really represents the tradition and pride" of this Oklahoma city of fewer than 3,000 people. Hunters from across the prairie flocked to the 44th annual Mangum Rattlesnake Derby to reel in Western diamondback rattlesnakes ...

As in, a brood of vipers?