Living with Snakes
Unfortunately, snakes are often
misunderstood. They are known to invoke hysteria in some humans.
What most people don't know is that most
snakes are harmless to humans and will go to great lengths to avoid us. Small
mammals are the normal diet of most snakes. They may feed on other snakes.
Rattlesnakes are the only native North American venomous snake in California.
If you find a rattlesnake in your
yard, the first thing to do is to make sure you have properly identified it.
The non-venomous gopher snake is often mistaken for a rattlesnake because its
defense is to act like a rattlesnake. They are basically the same size (12-48
inches long) and are brown and tan. They beat their tail on the ground
imitating a rattlesnake's rattle.
Rattlesnakes are heavy-bodied, with
a broad triangular head that is distinctly wider than their neck. The
coloration is usually gray, tan, or green with dark evenly spaced triangular
patches along the back and sides. They have vertically elliptical pupils and a
rattle at the end of their tails. Because rattlesnakes can lose their rattle,
do not use this as the only identifying factor. When disturbed, rattlesnakes
will vibrate their tails. Young rattlesnakes are just as venomous as adults.
TO AVOID COMING FACE TO FACE WITH A
SNAKE:
Take the following precautions:
*** Eliminate habitat for snakes
around your home, such as rock piles, wood piles, tall grass, and undergrowth.
*** Remove any food that may attract
snakes (including pet food and uncovered garbage cans).
*** Since snakes primarily feed on
rodents, make your home and grounds rodent free. Humane trapping and other
methods can control rodent problems, which in turn can control snake problems.
*** Be sure to plug openings in
foundations, walls, steps, and porches to discourage snakes from making
themselves at home in them.
*** Mow lawns and fields. Snakes
cannot generally survive on hot, bare surfaces. So
remove lumber, trash, bush, rock piles, and anything that might afford shade or
hiding places.
Snakes generally do not attack
people and rattlesnakes usually only strike in defense. The best thing to do if
you discover a snake in your yard is to keep all children and animals out of
the yard and away from the snake. In a few hours the snake will leave on its own.