We're on your side with important information. Snake season is here. Temperatures starting to heat up and experts tell us from now until June is when snakes most active.
Experts say you're probably not going to to see an albino boa constrictor in your back yard, but because of the heat, you might see a couple of others in the area.
"The snake was wrapped in coil up underneath our outdoor area," said Katrina Edwards, recalling the first time she found a snake on her property.
Edwards lives out in Madera Country. Her 6-year-old son recently found a 5-foot long snake.
"He walked over to the sink, he thought the water was running and it was actually the snake hissing," said Edwards.
She got a hold of Todd Cornwell, better known as "Todd The Snakeman."
He's a state registered reptile rescuer.
"I get a few calls, oh there's a Rattlesnake in my garage. Most of the time it's these little guys," the Snakeman said as he holds a small Gopher snake in his hand. Gophers are harmless, but common, and as they get bigger they're easily confused with Rattlers. Rattlesnakes are venomous and can be deadly.
Another snake you might see in your backyard is the California King.
"These are the good guys," said The Snakeman.
He says they prey on young Rattlesnakes and other reptiles.
Bottom line, if you see a snake never try to pick it up.
"If they're little like this, unless you really know what you're doing, the best thing
to do it just back off and let them go on their way," said The Snakeman.
Snakes can be found pretty much anywhere there's shade, but they're primarily in the foothills.
"This is a great place for a snake to hide out, you've got loose brush piled up," said The Snakeman as he points to a trailer hitch covered with brush.
Edwards said after a close encounter, she'll be on the lookout.
"I did see a track that morning, and so now I know to be more aware that they could be a little closer at hand," said Edwards.
Experts say you can expect to see more of the common snakes in your area until winter rolls back around.
Experts say you're probably not going to to see an albino boa constrictor in your back yard, but because of the heat, you might see a couple of others in the area.
"The snake was wrapped in coil up underneath our outdoor area," said Katrina Edwards, recalling the first time she found a snake on her property.
Edwards lives out in Madera Country. Her 6-year-old son recently found a 5-foot long snake.
"He walked over to the sink, he thought the water was running and it was actually the snake hissing," said Edwards.
She got a hold of Todd Cornwell, better known as "Todd The Snakeman."
He's a state registered reptile rescuer.
"I get a few calls, oh there's a Rattlesnake in my garage. Most of the time it's these little guys," the Snakeman said as he holds a small Gopher snake in his hand. Gophers are harmless, but common, and as they get bigger they're easily confused with Rattlers. Rattlesnakes are venomous and can be deadly.
Another snake you might see in your backyard is the California King.
"These are the good guys," said The Snakeman.
He says they prey on young Rattlesnakes and other reptiles.
Bottom line, if you see a snake never try to pick it up.
"If they're little like this, unless you really know what you're doing, the best thing
to do it just back off and let them go on their way," said The Snakeman.
Snakes can be found pretty much anywhere there's shade, but they're primarily in the foothills.
"This is a great place for a snake to hide out, you've got loose brush piled up," said The Snakeman as he points to a trailer hitch covered with brush.
Edwards said after a close encounter, she'll be on the lookout.
"I did see a track that morning, and so now I know to be more aware that they could be a little closer at hand," said Edwards.
Experts say you can expect to see more of the common snakes in your area until winter rolls back around.