10/11/2026
Facts:
When we first moved here the rattlesnakes were out of control.
They can be very dangerous to pets and humans.
This year we've seen several different species of rattlers, even a copperhead that people identified.
But, the heart cannot just kill without pain. At least my heart cannot just kill without pain and reason. Yes, there are times when I need to keep everyone safe, that doesn't make the situation less painful.
Rattlers are needed too. After that flood, things are starting to dry out and we are seeing bigger snakes. Maybe washed onto the property or washed out of their safe places. Maybe even moved closer to spaces where they are not safe from us.
My choices are always a reflection of the risks. I admit at first we feared them because they were everywhere out here, but we now understand that this place had been empty for several years. So who is intruding?
A buddy taught me how to wrangle them and move them safely, he also taught me that I will be put in situations where they need to be removed permanently to avoid returning.
If killing were the only answer, then snake fence would not be needed. The snake fence works as long as it's not damaged or rodents haven't dug under it. This is why we do wiggle walks. They are often against the fence unable to get in.
Today my choice was different. The threat was only if the rattler decided to go towards the dog yards that are under construction right now.
I think most people kill them because they are afraid of them, but if they are not a threat, live relocation is what's needed. This is why.
Rodent control: They eat large numbers of mice, rats, and ground squirrels, stopping these animals from overpopulating and damaging plants.
Lyme disease reduction: By eating rodents that carry ticks, rattlesnakes help lower the spread of tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease. An adult snake can eat thousands of ticks via its prey each year.
Disease prevention: They reduce other rodent-borne diseases that affect humans, such as the plague and hantavirus.
They serve as prey for roadrunners, kingsnakes, badgers, opossums are immune to rattlesnakes, hawks, owls, coyotes, and other larger animals while acting as mid-to-top level predators themselves.
We chose to live where they lived first. So we do need to have mutual respect for them too.
When I go rock hunting, I never harm anything that I encounter unless defending myself.
Even a nonvenomous snakes are a threat.
Diseases and Infections Snakes Carry
• Bacterial Infections:
Salmonella: The most common germ found in the digestive tracts of reptiles; it often does not make the snake sick, but can cause severe gastroenteritis, cramps, fever, or septicemia in humans.
Other Bacteria: Nonvenomous snakes can harbor Campylobacter, Aeromonas, Mycobacterium (causing skin ulcers or respiratory illness), Klebsiella, Staphylococcus, and E. coli in their saliva or f***s. Even a bite from a nonvenomous snake can introduce these bacteria into human tissue, leading to secondary wound infections.
• Viral Diseases:
Paramyxovirus / Ferlavirus: A highly contagious virus causing severe respiratory problems, open-mouth breathing, nasal discharge, and sometimes neurological tremors.
Inclusion Body Disease (IBD): Caused by reptarenaviruses, affecting constrictors and boid snakes (though found across various types), leading to neurological dysfunction or fatal systemic illness.
Nidovirus: Causes contagious respiratory and systemic symptoms in reptiles.
• Fungal Infections:
Ophidiomycosis (Snake Fungal Disease): Caused by Ophidiomyces ophidiicola, leading to facial deformities, skin crusting, lesions, and emaciation.
• Parasites:
Internal Parasites: Protozoa and helminths (worms) inside the digestive tract or lungs.
External Parasites: Mites and ticks that attach to the skin, causing anemia and stress.
Pentastomids (Tongue-worms): Parasites that can damage internal organs.
Yesterday the lesson was about aggression even when backing away from them. That is not okay.
Today I watched a much bigger snake retreat to avoid the encounter. So I trapped and released it. Was it always here? or did it wash in? Regardless it chose what path we went down today.
Most bite situations come from challenging, chasing and just being stupid about the risks.
Our experiences, most were not expected encounters. Now that we know the difference, we do our best to keep balance.
Ty Warrick
