08/24/2026
Well worth the read! Don’t believe the negative post about removal!
Well, folks. It has happened. Due to a viral Facebook post about a snake relocation study that suggested that relocated snakes merely return to where they were found, people are commenting that relocation doesn't work and isn't worth it. Implying we should just kill the snakes. This is incorrect at best, and disinformation at worst.
Recently an AI-bot account posted a summary of a study on rattlesnake relocation done in a highly disturbed area at the very northern part of their range in Canada. Many snakes returned after being relocated. The post presented this as being the way it is, full stop.
The truth is that relocation is complicated, which is why asking for information from professionals is much better than a bot post. We at CCSS have been at the leading edge of research on snake relocation policy and procedure for years. We photograph every snake we relocate to record its unique pattern. If a client ever gets another snake, we can see if it returned. We have relocated >700 rattlesnakes here on the central coast, and only one has ever returned. We utilize short-distance relocation (1/4-1/2 mile away) into good habitat. We call this the "Goldilocks method:" not too far that the snake doesn't fare well, and not too close that it comes right back. We are permitted by the California Dept of Fish and Wildlife to relocate with these procedures and wrote this summary article of studies on relocations in California, showing that short-distance relocations often work very well:https://www.centralcoastsnakeservices.com/uploads/1/2/7/0/127087854/mitigation_translocation_of_snakes_in_california.pdf
As for that bot post, you can read a great response by my colleagues at Rattlesnake Solutions here that explains why relocating is complicated but can be successful when done with care: https://www.facebook.com/snakeremoval/posts/hey-everyone-weve-been-tagged-many-times-in-a-post-from-an-ai-slop-page-called-t/1531534082350987/. This includes great links for those who want to learn more.
I don't know about you all, but I hate misinformation that changes people's sentiments in a negative way about snakes and their management. The truth is that if that bot post got to you, then you've been had. And I hate being had. We are here to answer questions, but are growing tired of people proclaiming that relocation doesn't work based on a bot post. Trust your actual, living snake experts- we are here to help!
Photo by Brittany App
