"Emily Taylor noted that her phone was 'ringing off the hook' with calls about rattlesnake sightings, indicating a dramatic increase in encounters this year compared to previous years."
"In March alone, two people were fatally bitten by rattlesnakes in Southern California, highlighting the dangers posed by these snakes as they become more active."
"The California Poison Control System reported 77 calls regarding rattlesnake bites in the first three months of 2026, a significant rise from the average annual reports."
"Taylor explained that unseasonably warm weather has driven rattlesnakes out of their winter retreats earlier than usual, coinciding with increased outdoor activities by the public."
Emily Taylor, who runs Central Coast Snake Services, has seen a significant increase in rattlesnake calls this year. In March, two fatalities occurred from bites in Southern California. The California Poison Control System reported 77 rattlesnake bite calls in early 2026, compared to an average of 200 to 300 annually. Unseasonably warm weather has caused rattlesnakes to emerge early from hibernation, while more people are engaging in outdoor activities, leading to more encounters with the snakes.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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