A nest of 88 highly venomous rattlesnakes was discovered beneath the floor of a house in California earlier this October, explained by experts as being due to the breeding season.
Rescue teams retrieved dozens of rattlesnakes from the floor of a woman’s home in Sonoma County, California. She contacted the Sonoma County Reptile Rescue on October 2, suspecting that snakes were nesting under the floor tiles. After nearly four hours, rescuers captured 22 adult snakes and 59 juveniles from the house.
The captured rattlesnake nest. (Photo: Sonoma County Reptile Rescue)
Upon returning to the house, Alan Wolfe, the director of the reptile rescue organization, discovered an additional 7 snakes, bringing the total to 88, according to Newsweek.
This is not the first time experts have relocated such a large snake nest. In February, a snake-catching company named Big Country relocated a nest containing 81 rattlesnakes from a mobile home in Lueders, Texas, as reported by Newsflare. They found the snake family’s dwelling when the homeowner wanted to replace the siding around the entire house.
According to Alan Wolfe, the Pacific Northwest rattlesnake is very common in California. They are about one meter long, with brownish-green or grayish-green coloration. Like all rattlesnakes, they have a flat, broad head.
The Burke Museum states that the breeding season for the Pacific Northwest rattlesnake, which typically inhabits arid areas such as rocky grasslands, lasts from late August to October. Female snakes give birth to 4 to 22 young. They often gather in a den to give birth.
The Pacific Northwest rattlesnake primarily feeds on small mammals and birds, using its venom to subdue prey. Their bite causes intense pain, swelling, blistering, and vomiting in humans. In some cases, the venom can inhibit blood clotting and destroy red blood cells, leading to severe symptoms such as shock and organ failure, potentially resulting in death if not treated promptly.
This species is primarily nocturnal and is one of the most docile rattlesnake species. They tend to avoid human contact. According to the Sonoma Ecology Center, fatalities from Pacific Northwest rattlesnake bites are extremely rare. Most victims can be discharged from the hospital within 24 hours.
