Golden Gate Estates Is Dealing With More Rattlesnake Encounters
LAS VEGAS - JANUARY 17: A Mojave rattlesnake (L) and a gaboon viper are seen in a glass box filled with 50 deadly snakes outside O'Sheas Casino on the Las Vegas Strip January 17, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Animal adventurer Donald Schultz will spend 10 days and nights in the 16-foot by 20-foot glass enclosure with various snakes including vipers, pythons, cobras and rattlesnakes. Five new snakes will be added to the box each day until the count reaches 100. The event is being filmed for "Venom in Vegas," a two-hour special edition of Animal Planet's new series, "Wild Recon" that will air on February 9, 2010. During the stunt, Schultz will conduct tests and extract venom from the reptiles that will be used for research. A team of experts will stand by in case anything goes wrong. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Rattlesnakes are being spotted more than normal in Golden Gate Estates.
Some snake handlers speculate that it’s not due to an increase in the snake population, but more likely due to their habitat shrinking, pushing them into residential neighborhoods.
Rhett Stanberry, a professional snake handler, said, “Every year, there is less and fewer habitats, not more rattlesnakes, just fewer places for it to go, So people are coming in contact with the remaining population.”
Snake handlers recently removed a pregnant rattlesnake that had around 12 babies. The babies and mother were relocated to a safer area away from residential neighborhoods.
Handlers advise that if you see one of these rattlesnakes, go back inside and stay away from it. If it stays around for more than a day, then you should contact a professional.
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Junior is the producer of the Stan and Haney show. He is also a music producer and audio engineer. He was born in Sioux City, Ia, but has lived down in Southwest Florida since a young age.
