Health
Rattlesnake Sightings Surge in Homes: Public Safety Alert Issued
Clear Facts
- The police department in St. Clair Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania recently issued a public safety alert due to an unexpected increase in residential sightings of rattlesnakes.
- Primarily found are the timber rattlesnakes, a venomous species whose bite is considered a critical medical emergency.
- The local police department emphasized that these snakes are protected by the Commonwealth and cannot be captured or killed without appropriate permits.
As we enjoy the summer months, encounters with wildlife during our outdoor adventures are not uncommon. One would hope that venomous animals, such as snakes, would stick to their natural domains like mountains or swamps. However, snakes are proving to be increasingly adventurous, particularly curious about human territories.
This has resulted in a surprising increase in residential sightings of rattlesnakes, prompting officials to issue new public safety alerts. On July 5, a giant timber rattlesnake was spotted by an officer on a major state highway in St. Clair Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. As a result, the local police department posted a warning on their Facebook page.
In this communique, the St. Clair Township Police Department underscored, “It has been brought to our attention that some of the [rattlesnakes] have made their way down off the mountain. If one is seen, please leave it alone. They can be dangerous. If needed, you can spray them with a water hose, this typically will move them along.”
Timber rattlesnakes, also known as the American viper, are hefty reptiles, grey in color and sporting a stripe of orange, yellow, brown, or black down their back. These snakes can grow up to seven feet long. Their venom is potent enough to kill a human, making a bite from a timber rattlesnake a critical medical emergency.
These snakes are typically most active between April and October. When food and water supplies dwindle, they tend to roam more. The communications director of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, explained that the lack of rainfall and subsequent reduction in water impacts not just the snakes but also their food sources, encouraging these reptiles to move around more.
Despite their bad reputation, timber rattlesnakes are generally quite docile. It’s remarked, “they’re normally very docile” and not “much of a threat unless you threaten them.”
The St. Clair Township Police Department reminded residents that timber rattlesnakes are protected by the Commonwealth and cannot be hunted or killed without the required permits. Therefore, residents are advised to let the snakes move along if spotted.
The advice echoes this sentiment: “The best thing to do is just let that snake move along.” However, the police department has made it clear that if a snake poses a threat to your residence or family, it’s necessary to call 911. A Conservation Officer from the Fish and Boat Commission will then intervene to capture and relocate the snake.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Barbara
July 19, 2024 at 7:17 pm
Oh hell no if a rattler is in my domain it’s dead!!
Cosmo Aussie
July 19, 2024 at 7:24 pm
I’m with you, to heck with calling someone, it a dead snake if it intrudes on my domain.
Richard K
July 19, 2024 at 8:08 pm
You’ll know when you see my new hat band!
Diaz
July 19, 2024 at 8:10 pm
Rattlesnake in the house ? Permit be dxxxed ! How would you like to have nest of hatching rattlers ? Shoot ! Shovel ! Shut-up !
E A Collom
July 19, 2024 at 8:31 pm
Stupid, stupid, stupid! You all are right…it’s dead, the sooner the better! Better a dead snake than a child or pet…
Jim in Texas
July 19, 2024 at 9:08 pm
I agree, I’m all for giving wildlife it’s space but how long is it going to take fish and game to respond? They make nice belts too!! Jim in Texas.
the traveller
July 19, 2024 at 9:27 pm
Snake in my house equals shotgun response, as Fish and Wildlife take too long to respond. They can come and pick up a dead snake, and I’ll pay the fine.
G.R. Egoville
July 20, 2024 at 12:29 am
2 years ago we had 11 snakes nestled beside our clothes drier. They were not poisonous, I think.After the screaming subsided we attempted to corral them to ” humanely” get them out of our house. Some refused to budge so now they are in snake heaven. Calling some agency to get rid of 11 snakes and them agreeing to do that makes me laugh. It is a do it yourself job.
CherCee
July 20, 2024 at 3:25 am
Get a permit, then you can take care of them!
offten jack
August 7, 2024 at 10:01 am
Don’t think rattlers can read !
Ted Merideth
July 20, 2024 at 8:33 pm
protected by the commonwealth !!, ridiculous when they are a threat and can kill you !!! So they are over populated now and getting worst ! That law needs to be changed , we don’t need rattlesnakes around period !!!!!!!!!
Daniel Quigley
July 25, 2024 at 7:10 am
They are also rather tasty. Way back in the early 70s I worked as a cooks helper at Camp Yawpaw a Boy Scout camp in the Ramapo Mountains in Northern NJ. We found a 5 plus footer who we had relocated several times already back hanging around the larger shower the campers were using. It was the middle of summer so the camp was pretty full. So 2 of us trapped him using Snake Sticks. It’s basically a 4 to 5 foot piece of wood or Aluminum with a slide built onto it with a piece of leather attached to both the stick and the slide. The leather forms a circle of sorts which is slid over the snakes head. We took the snake to our Nature House where he had a new home in a 500 gallon aquarium for the remainder of that 2 week camping cycle. The Forest Ranger who at the time was Ray Banta made the decision that since we had already relocated that snake several times it had to be destroyed. I can honestly say that Rattlesnake sliced thin and cooked on a Pizza is Delicious. The reason we knew it was the same snake is because we had put a Dayglo Dye the Forest Service was using to mark trails with. It was a water based nontoxic dye and posed no threat to the snake and long before marking problem animals became a thing. I was last in the Nature House in 2001 and the Rattlesnake Skin was still as beautiful as the day it was mounted to the 6 foot board we mounted it to.
Patricia Ann Moody
July 28, 2024 at 3:11 pm
Who is the “IDIOT “, who made this INSANE Law! What about wolves , bears, foxes , Coyotes etc . Being Slaughtered by the. Thousands, in their own habitat!! Encouraged by Mentally Embalanced Govenors!! These deadly Snakes, will be killed on contact! It’s either THEM or YOU !