Why removing snakes in Southern California is necessary
The warm temperatures and varied topography that make the Southern California region so enjoyable and interesting also cause people to flock here in hoards. And these same circumstances also make it a favorable location for a great many different reptile and amphibian species. And here in my stomping grounds of the San Diego area we have an abundance of habitat that our notorious native rattlesnakes thrive in. There are 6 species of rattlesnake in Southern California: The Southern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus helleri),
A Southern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus helleri) in San Diego County
the Red Diamond Rattlesnake (Crotalus rubber),
2 adult Red Diamond Rattlesnakes in San Diego County
the Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchellii),
A Juvenile Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchellii) in San Diego County
the Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus), the Sidewinder Rattlesnake (Crotalus cerastes)
A Sidewinder Rattlesnake (Crotalus cerastes) spreading its ribcage to appear larger
and the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox).
An Adult Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) on the road at night.
While the Western Diamondback, the Mojave, and the Sidewinders are primarily confined to the desert areas of So Cal, the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake which prefers grasslands, hills, and wooded areas is extremely abundant in the highly populated areas near our large cities such as San Diego and Los Angeles. And the Red Diamond Rattlesnake is also very commonly encountered in just about any boulder strewn or rocky habitat in the region. The Speckled Rattlesnake is also a rock dweller, but its secretive habits and cryptic camouflage cause it to be encountered far less than the other species.
While more and more people are drawn to the rural areas of coastal and inland Southern California and even the seemingly inhospitable deserts of the region are quickly becoming meccas of human activity, contact with native reptiles is inevitable. While most Rattlesnakes would much prefer to hide from large mammals like humans or to “freeze” completely motionless and rely on their camouflage than to defend themselves, the fact remains that all rattlesnakes have the ability to strike any human who ventures too close with potentially lethal consequences for the victim. Of course all Rattlesnakes are venomous and each species has its own unique cocktail of harmful proteins that constitute its venom. The hemotoxic, neurotoxic, and cytotoxic components vary from one species to the next and can even be distinct to specific populations. Yet the danger involved in coming into contact with these serpents most often results in man destroying animal, not the other way around, although I do not believe it has to be this way. Personally, I love snakes and I have a healthy respect for them and the vital role that they play in the ecosystem, but when human lives are at stake, removing a dangerous animal from a dangerous situation is often the only logical course of action.
San Diego County Rattlesnake Removal
I have devoted an uncanny and probably unhealthy portion of my life to the capture, handling, photography, field studies and observation, and captive husbandry of reptiles and amphibians so my experience with these animals qualifies me to safely remove snakes from these situations with minimal danger to myself and the animal.
A removal of a Red Diamond Rattlesnake in Southern California
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(619) 905-2524
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