Firefighters Remove 10 Rattlesnakes From a Single House… Yes, 10!

Almost a dozen snakes needed to be removed from a family’s Arizona house. Firefighters were called to the home to remove the dangerous serpents. According to the Golden Ranch Fire Department, workers were called to a house in the Oro Valley, just north of Tucson, on August 19 because several rattlesnakes had been discovered there.

The family of snakes, which consisted of nine baby rattlesnakes and one adult rattlesnake, was reportedly evacuated by fire crews. The reptiles were discovered in a brick section next to the family’s home.

Are Rattlesnakes Dangerous?

Rattlesnakes are naturally timid and will only bite if they are in imminent danger of dying. A rattlesnake tends to retreat from what it perceives as threatening as its first line of defense. They will look for shelter if it is available This typically happens when a person or animals traps the snake or blocks their way out.

Even while certain rattlesnakes don’t rattle, they often curl up and make noise if the situation persists. They might launch an attack if the threat continues without heading their previous warnings.  

People are at risk from rattlesnake venom, but only in cases where access to medical treatment is unavailable. Few rattlesnake attacks in the United States are fatal since medical care is easily accessible. 

Fewer than 10 of the 7,000 to 8,000 people who get bitten each year die.

How Large Do Rattlesnakes Get?

Adults of this species are usually three to six feet long, but some can be over 7 feet, with a maximum length reaching 8 feet. In Florida, they typically weigh two to four pounds on average, but larger ones can weigh over ten pounds.

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake, the largest rattlesnake species and one of the heaviest venomous snakes known had a specimen shot in 1946 measuring 7.8 feet in length and weighing 34 pounds.

Why Do Snakes Come Near Houses?

Having a rattlesnake outside your home in Arizona isn’t too shocking. Nevertheless, what about within the house, in your bathroom, or even under your bed? Thankfully, this happens quite infrequently. 

Rattlesnakes have no interest to live inside of your house. These slithering serpents can luckily be safely kept outside of homes. They enter a structure from the front door just like we do. A rattlesnake will typically enter a home through a door that has been left open, as do the majority of other snake species. 

Everyone seems to leave their door open on a warm summer day in Arizona. Although this is a great way to stay warm, it’s also a way for these snakes to get into your house. Snakes will approach the exterior of your home for two primary factors: food and warmth.  

They will seek out a cool, shaded location throughout the day and a warm, well-insulated location at night. Because snakes have a great aversion to them, powerful and disruptive odors like sulfur, vinegar, and cinnamon, as well as vile, bitter, and ammonia-like aromas, are typically the most popular and effective odors against snakes.

Be sure to keep the area around your home mowed and block off any access to damp, dark crawlspaces. 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/NajaShots