May 2020 Living with Wildlife

It’s getting warm and Southern California snakes are becoming active.

Snakes are a normal and important part of our ecosystem and live with us year-round, but as things warm up, snake sightings and calls to the Animal Services Center increase.

Always be cautious of a snake, especially if you don't know if it is harmless. You can visit the California Herps website for information on the different species of local snakes and what they look like. 

While most of our snakes are harmless, some local snakes carry dangerous venom which can be harmful and even fatal to humans. Most of us call these snakes poisonous, which is incorrect, since they do not inflict harm when they are consumed. It is more accurate to call them venomous. The most common dangerously venomous native snake encountered in Southern California is the rattlesnake. 

Snakes do not aggressively attack humans. They strike only in self-defense or when feeding. If you find a venomous snake, your best option is to leave it alone. For your own comfort and safety and the well-being of the snake, try to avoid being bitten by any snake, including those that are non-venomous. There is no reasonable need to kill any snake that is encountered, which often occurs due to our instinctive and emotional fear of snakes. Snakes are a natural and necessary part of any healthy environment. They play an important role in the food chain and can be especially beneficial to humans when they consume and control rodent populations. Some snakes even consume other snakes (including rattlesnakes).

For some important safety reminders, see our video at this link 

If you think you have a dangerous snake on your property, instead of trying to kill it – risking your own safety and needlessly destroying an innocent wild animal – contact us and an Animal Services Officer will catch and remove any venomous snake. If possible, photograph the snake from a safe distance and be prepared to send it to us when requested by a dispatcher. If we determine the snake is a rattlesnake, maintain (again from a safe distance) visual contact with the snake. Rattlesnake response is a high priority call for officers, and they will respond as quickly as possible. Maintaining visual contact will allow officers to quickly capture the snake as safely as possible.

For more information, call 949-470-3045.