What do you do if you see a snake?
By Jenn Ellis & Audra Barrios
A garter snake in a driveway in Castro Valley, California.
While it can be shocking to come across a snake, it is important to remember that snakes are scared of us! Humans are so much larger than our snake neighbors. We often come across snakes while they are attempting to hide, searching for food or generally going about their business.
The best thing we can do for snakes when we spot them is to give them space and allow them to escape on their own.
As we hike, bike, enjoy parks, and gardens, it’s important to remember that when we are outside, we are in the snakes home. They are our neighbors.
What kind of snake is it?
Take some photos from afar to identify your observation.
Check out our guide to Bay Area Snakes.
For photos of every snake species in California, California Herps in the best.
World Wide Snake Identification Facebook group can ID snakes within minutes with your photos!
A garter snake spotted on a trail in Mill Valley, California.
There’s a snake on the trail!
Observe the snake from afar. Let other hikers and bikers know that the snake is there. This will help keep people and snakes safe by keeping the snake from getting stepped on. Many snake bites happen when people step on snakes, as it can break their ribs to be stepped on.
If there is danger of the snake getting stepped on or run over by a bike, a non-dangerous snake can be coaxed off the road with a very gentle poke of a stick. Do not poke a rattlesnake.
Many snakes seek out the heat of the road in the evenings.
There’s a snake on the road!
Roads are dangerous places for snakes and thousands are run over every year. If you can pull over safely AND accurately identify the snake, a snake can be moved off the road. Only do this if you are able to stay safe from cars! Many will take off simply by seeing you walking towards them. A gentle poke with a stick may also encourage them to move off the road.
A rattlesnake tucked against the side of a building in Castro Valley, California.
Can it hurt me?
In the San Francisco Bay Area, only if it’s the rattlesnake. Their venom is dangerous to humans, though what it’s really for is for their prey, which often includes rats rats, gophers and mice.
Most snake bites happen when snakes are cornered or stepped on. Snakes do not want to bite people. Snakes do not want you near their head. Many species, not just the rattlesnake, shake their tail when they are cornered or afraid. Snakes go as far as to use another part of their body as a distraction just to keep their head safe. They could more easily recover from an injury to the tail than to the head, so why bite when they could shake their tail and musk instead.
To stay safe in areas we share with rattlesnakes, be always be sure to always look where your hands and feet are going. Stay on trails and wear boots. If a person does get bit, seek immediate medical attention.
If you see a rattlesnake, do just give it lots of space!
Can you spot the the garter snake in this image?
A snakes first line of defense against humans is camouflage. They will remain motionless and hope that you don’t spot them.
If a snake it spotted despite its camouflage, most will then move away as quickly as possible to somewhere they can hide and be safe.
The best thing we can do when we see snakes in their habitat, is to leave them alone. You can observe them from a far and you may get to see their natural behaviors!
Snakes, including rattlesnakes use camouflage to avoid encounters with people. If they are spotted, they will use their rattle to let you know you are too close. If you hear a rattlesnake, stop where you are and look around to see where the snake is, then move away from it.
How do I remove a snake from my home or yard?
Of the 19 species and subspecies of snakes in the Bay Area, only the rattlesnake is dangerous to humans. The rest are harmless and are working as pest control in your outside space. Snakes eat rats, mice, slugs, gophers and other animals that damage gardens and homes.
The important thing to remember is that snakes are an important part of our ecosystem, and they don’t mean to surprise us! If you ever find one in your home, you can call a professional to help remove it - but if you are in a snake's home, giving them space to leave and appreciating them from a distance is the best way to keep everyone safe.