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Rattlesnakes!
Park visitor Keith.
Park District Grounds Supervisor, Jim Keppler, shows two rattlesnakes he caught recently at Corriganville Park. He cautions people to be careful and watch for snakes as the weather gets warmer. This photo was taken by a park visitor named Keith.
Colleen Janssen, RSRPD
This rattlesnake was caught by Jim Keppler a few years ago and displayed at a wild animal event the next day. The day after, the snake delivered eight babies.
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More from Conejo ValleyThe weather is warmer and rattlesnakes are showing up in Simi Valley and surrounding areas. According to Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District Grounds Supervisor, Jim Keppler, "I've already caught four this year."
The rattlesnake population is greater this year due to the heavy rains a few months ago. The vegetation is more plentiful, so more rodents are running around, increasing the food supply, thus more baby rattlesnakes have been spotted in open spaces, parks and other properties. Rattlesnakes are born live, not in eggs, thus are looking for food as soon as they are born.
As a child, Keppler raised snakes, and has been removing them from parks for than 30 years. He uses a snake stick to capture the unwanted park visitor and has a cage to transport his catch. When he catches a snake he relocates it, usually in an open space, far from people and homes.
He says that snakes like to hide in rodent holes, near rocks, or anywhere that they can be out of sight. Then, in the early morning or early evening hours, typically when the weather is about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, they come out to warm up in the sun. When it gets really hot, they tend to be more aggressive, thus more dangerous for humans. He warns people who encounter a snake not to try to remove it themselves, but "Back away slowly, then call a professional for removal. Don't do it yourself."
Many people think rattlesnakes will warn before striking by rattling their tail. This is not always true. Many times, they strike when they are startled and don't issue any warning.
Keppler offered a description of a rattlesnake: a diamond-shaped head with poison glands on the sides, vertical pupils, and a diamond pattern on the back. Rattlesnakes can be tan colored to dark black.
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