Rattlesnake Found Inside La Cresta Home: 'It's Mating Season'

LA CRESTA, CA — Springtime weather is teasing Southwest Riverside County families, but whatever you do, don't leave your sliding glass door open. That's what one La Cresta family learned after finding a rattlesnake inside their home.

Ryan Jessup, the owner of Ryan's Rattlesnake Rescue, arrived at the residence to retrieve the Red Diamond Rattlesnake, as seen in the video below. "It's the beginning of a big season for snakes," he told Patch.

Jessup has been in the business of wrangling snakes and critters from unwanted spaces in Southwest Riverside County for about 10 years, he says. This is breeding season, and large rattlesnakes and rattlesnake babies are starting to crop up in the hillsides and, yes, even on properties across the Temecula Valley.

He considers himself a "snake wrangler" who was called to the La Cresta residence. There, the snake slithered across the tile floor from the living room and tried to hide behind a wall of pool cues.

The family said the snake was not aggressive but was invasive and not wanted inside the home. "It was stretched out most of the time," the homeowner said.

Jessup wielded a long hook and easily gathered the snake into his red bucket.

"They are pretty calm, to be honest," Jessup said. That day, he also rescued two baby rattlers, one of which was injured.

It was safely relocated, he said.

According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, rattlesnakes are California’s only venomous snakes that can be harmful to humans. "Of the 40 native snake species in the Golden State, only seven are rattlesnakes: western diamondback, sidewinder, speckled, western, red diamond, Mohave, and Panamint."

Rattlesnakes typically avoid people, according to the department website. Bites are uncommon, but can occur if a snake feels threatened. "Most bites occur between April and October when snakes and humans are most active outdoors," they said. "Prevention is key to avoiding unwanted encounters. To learn more, visit the Human-Wildlife Conflict Program page.

"To distinguish rattlesnakes from harmless native snakes, remember rattlesnakes have a distinct,
triangular-shaped head and usually have rattles at the end of their tail. They do not always rattle before striking," the statement from the department reads. "If you see a rattlesnake, back away and avoid the animal – it strikes humans only in self–defense."

Or call your friendly neighborhood rattlesnake wrangler at 951-329-0807.

See the full video of Jessup retrieving the Red Diamond Rattlesnake.

How To Stay Rattlesnake Safe:

• Stay alert when outdoors.
• Wear sturdy boots and loose-fitting long pants. DO NOT wear sandals or flip-flops in brushy areas.
• Stay on well-used trails. Avoid tall grass, weeds, and heavy underbrush.
• Check rocks, stumps or logs before sitting down.
• Shake out sleeping bag and tent before use.
• Let others know where you are going, when you plan to return, and carry a cell phone. Hike with a companion when possible.
• DO NOT grab “sticks” in water. Rattlesnakes can swim.
• DO NOT let dogs off leash. Dogs are at increased risk when sniffing the ground near brushy areas.
• DO NOT try to touch or handle a snake, dead or alive. Dead rattlers may still inject venom shortly after death.