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More Than 90 Rattlesnakes Rescued From Under Woman’s House In California

The snakes were relocated on private lands at the request of landowners who use the reptiles for rodent control.

A woman in Sonoma County California called the Sonoma County Reptile Rescue with a bit of a dilemma. More than 90 rattlesnakes had taken refuge undern

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A woman in Sonoma County California called the Sonoma County Reptile Rescue with a bit of a dilemma. More than 90 rattlesnakes had taken refuge underneath herb house and they needed to be removed. Alan Wolf, the director of the reptile rescue received the call and went out to retrieve the snakes. After just under 4 hours, Wolf was able to remove 59 babies and 22 adults, all northern Pacific rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus).


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Wolf employed a 24-inch snake tong/hook and on the first visit to the home he removed 81 rattlesnakes. On a subsequent visit he was able to remove 11 more rattlesnakes. Wolf wrote on his Facebook page that the snakes were relocated on private lands at the request of landowners who enjoy the reptiles for rodent control.

“We try our hardest to find great locations for them where they will have out of quick food water and habitat So far over the last 32 years it has worked out pretty darn good, Wolf told a commenter on his Facebook page. “As far as where they’re removed. . . the alternative on killing them is not an option to us. They do not deserve to die. They are great animals and the people that request them on the new properties which are far away from general population is a great alternative and they are appreciated to where they are relocated at.”

About the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake

The northern Pacific rattlesnake is a medium sized snake that grows to an average of about three feet in length. They are a greenish brown or gray in coloration with visible dark brown blotches. The live in dry habitats such as prairies, grasslands, and can also be found in forests, woods, and along stream beds. They feed on rodents, such as mice and rats, small amphibians and small reptiles as well as ground nesting birds. The breed between August and October and are livebearers.