What Would YOU Do if a Rattlesnake Was on Your Couch?

Continue reading...

Encountering a rattlesnake in Texas isn’t all that uncommon — but even the residents who have lived in the state for decades wouldn’t expect to find one lounging on their couch watching the NBA playoffs. That’s exactly what happened to a family in Decatur, Texas, though, as seen in this video. After stepping away for a quick meal, they returned to find that a large rattlesnake had made itself comfortable right in the middle of their couch.

Where Are Rattlesnakes Found in Texas?

If you’re not fond of snakes, Texas probably isn’t your ideal place to live. The state is home to 10 species of rattlesnake, and every single county has at least one species living in it. However, some regions have more rattlesnakes than others. The western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox), for example, is the most common rattlesnake in Texas. It can be found nearly everywhere in the state, except in a few of the far eastern regions.

In contrast, timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) — like the snake seen in the video above — mostly live just in the eastern third of Texas. These snakes grow 3 to 4 feet long with thick bodies and a high venom yield. While they are dangerous, timber rattlesnakes are also shy and avoid confrontation. Bites from these snakes are rare and usually occur when they feel threatened or are accidentally stepped on. Timber rattlesnakes rely on their excellent camouflage to stay hidden and tend to quietly retreat if disturbed.

How Would a Rattlesnake Get Inside a House?

Rattlesnakes may have long bodies, but they aren’t very tall or wide, so it’s pretty easy for them to squeeze through crevices or cracks in a home’s foundation. They also get inside through open doors or windows and other unsealed openings.

Even in Texas, rattlesnakes don’t intentionally target human homes, but they may seek cooler spaces like basements and crawl spaces, especially on hot summer days. Snakes also enjoy resting in shady areas under decks, porches, wood piles, and other debris. In addition, rattlesnakes are especially attracted to properties with rodents (one of their primary food sources).

What To Do if You Find Rattlesnake in Your Home

Rattlesnakes live all across the United States, not just in Texas. So, if you do happen upon a rattlesnake in your house, stay calm and move away from it slowly. Get everyone (including both humans and pets) away from the area and call a professional snake removal service. Keep an eye on the snake from a safe distance, but never try to capture or kill it (doing so will only increase your risk of getting bit). Even a dead snake’s reflexes can bite and inject venom.

The Iconic Rattlesnake “Rattle”

When baby rattlesnakes are born, they have a single “button” on the tip of their tail, which later becomes the foundation for their rattle. Each time the snake sheds its skin, a new segment is added. These segments are hollow, modified scales made of keratin — the same material in human fingernails. When the snake vibrates its tail, these hollow segments hit against one another and create that iconic “rattling” sound.

However, despite popular lore, you can’t determine a rattlesnake’s age by the number of segments on their rattle. Rattlesnakes shed multiple times a year and could have any number of segments at any particular time. In addition, the rattle is made of hollow keratin, which is fragile and often breaks off. So, even a very old rattlesnake might only have a few segments on its rattle.

Rattlesnakes use the buzzing sound of their rattles to make their presence known. The sound alerts other animals that there is a snake nearby and should be avoided. This helps to prevent larger animals from stepping on the rattlesnake, which not only preserves its life but also saves the snake a lot of time and energy that it would otherwise use fighting off another animal or trying to escape.