Dozens Of Rattlesnakes Released Into Wild After Being Captured In Bay Area Neighborhoods
THE GEYSERS, Lake County (CBS SF) -- Dozens of rattlesnakes found in residential neighborhoods and captured were set to be released into the wild Friday in Northern California so they could prepare for a winter hibernation.
Sixty rattlesnakes were to be let out all at once at a spot located in the hills near The Geysers close to the border of Sonoma and Lake Counties.
All of them were captured by Sonoma County Reptile Rescue, a non-profit sanctuary based in Sebastopol.
Director Al Wolf said the snakes were collected from people's homes and yards and are among the 250 rattlesnakes captured and released since the spring.
The rescue group's website says rattlesnakes are one of nature's forms of rodent control, and play a vital role in the balance of the environment.
Wolf said the snakes should be respected, but not feared. "If you get bit by a rattlesnake, you're not going to like it, but you're not going to die because all the hospitals in the area have rattlesnake anti-venom," he said.
Unloading the snakes at once won't have any negative impact on the immediate environment, said Wolf. "The area out here is so vast for rattlesnakes that 60 is just a drop in the bucket."
Increase in rattlesnake sightings are usually attributed to warmer weather as they are generally inactive during winter.