Look out for rattlers: 'Bumper crop' of snakes expected in Bay Area this year
By Michelle Robertson, SFGATE Updated 7:59 am, Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Snake season has arrived in Northern California, which means venomous rattlesnakes will be slithering around the East and South Bay. Pictured above: Northern Pacific rattlesnake. Photo: David Allen/Got Snakes?
Snake season has arrived in Northern California, which means venomous rattlesnakes will be slithering around the East and South Bay. Pictured above: Northern Pacific rattlesnake.
The sun is out, and so too are the snakes in the Bay Area.
Warm, dry weather brings the slithering serpents out of seasonal hibernation, and after months of slumber, these creepy crawlers are looking for a feast.
Humans need not fear falling prey to a hungry snake, although rodents most certainly do. Mice, rats, squirrels and other snake food are frolicking in abundance this year, thanks to the region's heavy winter storms. Water feeds the grasses, which feeds the rodents, which feed the snakes. It's a perfect storm for the cryptic creatures to thrive.
David Allen, a modern-day snake charmer and owner of humane snake removal service Got Snakes, says the season is just getting starting. He's expecting snakes in abundance this year as fewer are dying from dehydration and starvation.
"We're experiencing a boom in rodent productivity, and snakes will reap the rewards of that," he said. Female snakes are especially in luck; their ability to reproduce is directly correlated to a steady food supply. Allen predicts a "bumper crop" of baby snakes – the effects of which will last for the next three to four years.
The torrent of snakes isn't something to worry about, says Allen, as most of the serpents around the Bay Area are totally harmless. In fact, they're beneficial.
"Snakes are free pest control," he said. "They're like living, breathing mousetraps."
While common gopher and king snakes are nothing to fear, their rattlesnake cousins can pack a venomous punch.
Northern Pacific rattlesnakes are the only poisonous snakes in the region, and they're mostly found in dry areas, like the East and South Bay.
The easiest way to distinguish between species is through sight and sound. That characteristic rattling noise – similar to the sound a baby's rattle makes– is your first clue that a rattlesnake is lurking nearby. Often, the snakes are heard and not seen.
Rattlesnakes can also be identified by their triangular-shaped heads (most other species' skulls are oval-shaped). Although friendly gopher snakes complicate things, as they sometimes mimic rattlers by flattening their heads into a triangular shape (see above photos).
When in doubt, Allen advises, call a professional. Only they have the experience and proper equipment – snake tongs, hooks, steel-toe boots – to catch a snake safely.
In the case that you find yourself up-close-and-personal with a rattlesnake, give it space (rather than embarking on a hot pursuit with a shovel).
"That's how most people end getting bitten," Allen said. "Snakes become dangerous when you corner them."
If you are bitten by a rattlesnake, Allen says to keep your heart rate down and seek immediate medical attention. Most hospitals carry an anti-venom that counteracts the effects of a rattlesnake bite, meaning the likelihood of dying is very low when proper steps are taken.
Who's truly to blame in the clash of snake and man? Well, humans, who continue to encroach on the serpents' grassy habitats.
"We attract things like rodents by watering our lawns and planting veggies," said Allen. "By altering our habitats, we're making the snakes come to us."
Read Michelle Robertson’s latest stories and send her news tips at
mrobertson@sfchronicle.com.