Pismo Preserve hiker fatally stabs pregnant rattlesnake in ‘act of cruelty,’ nonprofit says

A hiker attacked and fatally injured a pregnant rattlesnake at the newly reopened Pismo Preserve in a move that officials called “an act of cruelty,” according to the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County.

According to the Land Conservancy, the hiker struck the snake and severed its rattle using the wooden stake of one of the signs that the nonprofit organization places on trails on the 880-acre nature preserve off Highway 101 in Pismo Beach to warn people about disturbing snakes that are shedding or hiding under their dens.

“It’s an act of cruelty rather than an act of defense against the snake. It’s really disturbing. ” said Land Conservancy executive director Kaila Dettman, whose group oversees the Pismo Preserve. “It’s really disturbing.”

The attack occurred around 7:30 p.m. July 3, the conservancy said.

According to the Land Conservancy, a hiker witnessed a man striking a rattlesnake from higher up on the preserve. The person, who later shared an account of the incident on Facebook, yelled down at the man to stop, and the man refused, stabbing the snake under the rock multiple times with the sign, the conservancy said.

The following morning, Cal Poly biology founder Emily Taylor, founder of Central Coast Snake Services in Nipomo, was called by the conservancy to rescue the snake.

Taylor said she pulled the rattlesnake from under a rock and noticed its severe injuries — including eight puncture wounds, broken ribs and a perforated stomach. The snake’s liver and stomach could be seen protruded from two of the wounds, she said.

From the snake’s bottom-heavy shape, Taylor said she could tell the snake was pregnant.

“The snake may have been 10 years old, or 20. She was a big female. It’s hard to tell, but usually you tell by the rattle,” Taylor said. “But the person took off their rattle, and took it with them.”

Taylor said she performed surgery on the snake at the Central Coast Snake Services headquarters in Nipomo, stitched her up and gave her antibiotics. But the rattlesnake died of its injuries on Monday, the Cal Poly professor said.

“Her wounds were too severe,” Taylor explained. “Rattlesnakes are tough ... If it was a mammal or a bird attack, she would have died within an hour or two. But she suffered for two days, and took her a long time to die.”

According to Taylor, the snake was in the early stages of pregnancy with 12 pups — a high number for a local rattlesnake. Although the snake’s pups wouldn’t have survived the attack, Taylor said the animal would have likely had more babies had she lived.

The Land Conservancy said it has video footage and an image of the alleged attacker, which it has posted on Facebook to hopes of identify the person. The nonprofit has also reached out to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office.

In March, the Land Conservancy closed the Pismo Preserve, which features 11 miles of coastal trails, due to concerns about the spread of coronavirus. The preserve officially reopened on Monday; it’s now open to the public from dawn to dusk on weekdays, and remains closed on weekends

“The person who attacked the snake broke our own rules about not harassing or harming the wildlife on the preserve,” Dettman said. “When these rules are violated, they are no longer welcome back.”

“We take this matter very seriously, and will not tolerate people harming wildlife or plants on our preserve,” she added. “People donated money to this property to protect wildlife, and we will not tolerate attacks to any of the animals that call the preserve home.”

Cal Poly professor: Rattlesnakes have place in ecosystem

According to Taylor, rattlesnakes play a key role in the Central Coast ecosystem.

Rattlesnakes eat ground squirrels and other rodents, helping control local populations that would otherwise be managed using rodenticides.

Rodents are intermediate hosts for diseases that could impact humans — such as Lyme disease, which can be found in the bloodstreams of area rodents in the area. The disease is then carried by ticks that feed on the rodents.

When rattlesnakes eat the rodents, they are also eating the ticks, Taylor said.

“This female snake was ... minding her own business for years, peaceful eating rodents,” Taylor said. “We built trails around her house. We invaded her home. (But) she would never come after us.”

“And next month, she would have given birth to 12 little baby rattlesnakes,” Taylor said. “ She would have fiercely protected her babies.”

According to the California Poison Control System, the odds of getting bit by a rattlesnake are small, with more than 300 cases reported annually in California.

Although rattlesnakes are sometimes portrayed as being aggressive, Taylor said, they are gentle animals who want to be left alone. The snakes usually use their venom to kill prey and would only use it on people if they had to defend themselves, she said.

“Trying to kill a rattlesnake is one of the best ways to get bitten,” Taylor said. “Most people who get bitten by a snake were messing with the snake.”

What to do if you encounter a rattlesnake

According to the Land Conservancy, rattlesnake sightings are relatively common at the Pismo Preserve from April through October, when the snakes become more active during warmer weather.

Visitors are urged to always be aware of their surroundings, keep dogs and small children close and stay on the trails.

The conservancy advises visitors to be careful about sitting on rocks, watch their step to avoid stepping on a snake and not reach down holes where snakes could be hiding.

“Unless it’s an immediate threat to public safety, it’s really important to let snakes be, and let wildlife be,” Dettman says. “We need these species to survive, and the public can help us do that by respecting their homes.”

If you see a rattlesnake, stay at least 10 feet away from it, Taylor said.

Snakes are afraid of people, and want to avoid people. Conflicts and encounters with snakes tend to happen by accident. In the chance that someone is bitten, the conservancy advises getting medical attention right away.

If you see a rattlesnake or witness wildlife being attacked at the Pismo Preserve, or want to report non-emergency concerns, contact the Land Conservancy via social media on Instagram, or by calling 805-544-9096. Injured animals can be reported to the Pacific Wildlife Care Center at 805-543-9453.

If there is a rattlesnake in your yard or porch, and you would like to identify it, or remove it, Taylor offers free advice through her company, Central Coast Snake Services. She can also help rescue injured snakes. Visit CentralCoastSnakeServices.com for more information.

World Snake Day event

The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County and Central Coast Snake Services have joined forces to create a public education event for World Snake Day.

The kid-friendly event will be held 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, at The Knoll at the Pismo Preserve in Pismo Beach. It will feature live local snakes on display, as well as a demonstration, short presentation and a safe photo opportunity with a live rattlesnake at 5:30 p.m.

Visitors should arrive early to get parking, as they may need to walk from overflow lots. Face masks must be worn, and hand sanitizer will be provided to those interested in touching snakes.