It's not your imagination. This is a weird rattlesnake season. Here's what's happening
Los Angeles Times • • nation
Key Points:
- California has seen a significant increase in rattlesnake activity and encounters, with a surge in calls about sightings and bites, including two recent fatal incidents in Southern California in March 2026.
- Unseasonably warm weather and early heat waves have triggered rattlesnakes to emerge from winter retreats earlier than usual, increasing their activity and the likelihood of human encounters.
- Experts emphasize that rattlesnakes are not aggressive toward humans and prefer to avoid them, using camouflage and rattling as defensive mechanisms rather than offensive behavior.
- Rattlesnakes play an important ecological role by controlling rodent populations and contributing to seed dispersal, and their venom is being researched for potential medical benefits.
- To stay safe, people are advised to maintain a safe distance from rattlesnakes, avoid walking off designated trails, and carefully inspect resting spots during outdoor activities.
