Anyone with ophidiophobia may want to avoid social media right now since a snake-related story from Orange County, California, is going viral. Comedian Nicky Paris is the cameraman behind the Instagram footage, which features a very large rattlesnake (a type of pit viper) slithering around the beach at Crystal Cove.
But that wasn’t the only terrifying part of the encounter, since Paris revealed that he got up close and personal with the snake before he even realized it was there, prompting the comedian to declare that his day at the beach had been “ruined.”
This is hardly the first rattlesnake story to go viral in recent months, and experts have said that people may continue to see more activity from these venomous snakes thanks to rising temperatures, which force them out of their typical hiding spots in search of cooler areas.
If nothing else, the viral video has gotten people talking about their own snake experiences along the California coast, with many people saying that they’ll be more vigilant about possible snake encounters the next time they are enjoying a day of fun in the sun.
Paris Said ‘Vandals and Rattlesnakes’ Ruined His Day
The comedian narrated his story on Instagram, telling his followers how he had been looking forward to enjoying a quiet day at a secluded part of the beach, even taking the day off so he could enjoy himself in solitude. However, seagulls quickly became a nuisance, even stealing Paris’ snack while he was admiring the scenery.
But when he went back to his towel to try to get back to relaxing, he said he was confronted with a massive rattlesnake. “This is a wake-up call to everyone at the beach who is on their phones,” he said, telling people to make sure they are staying aware while visiting Crystal Cove.
After the video went viral, Paris shared an update to his post.
The Rattlesnake Was Heading Away From the Water
Paris explained that he had turned his back to the water and was heading back to his stuff when he felt movement by his toe, according to the New York Post, which also covered the story.
“It crawled right out of the water. Right all the way past the beach, in between my sandals, on the beach. I literally was watching it. And it just went right back up into the hill,” the comedian explained in his Instagram post.
Some people chimed in to share their own snake encounters in the comments. “Rattlesnakes are closer to the beach than most people know,” one person wrote. “Seen [them] down here in San Diego, too.”
Paris was understandably shocked by the snake’s appearance at the surfside hangout, but according to AAAC Wildlife Removal of Palm Beaches, they are actually pretty strong swimmers. That being said, the website notes that they don’t really love being in the water, and usually only go in if they are chasing prey or escaping from predators.
Hopefully that means the snake Paris saw was just passing through, since the reptile didn’t appear to be on the hunt or fleeing for its life in the viral video.
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