<\/p>\n
A western diamondback rattlesnake is seen on the outdoor rotunda at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. Members of the Sweetwater Jaycees brought 22 live rattlesnakes to promote the 68th annual World\u2019s Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up, scheduled for March 13\u201315 in Sweetwater. The event began in 1958 when area farmers and ranchers organized an effort to reduce rattlesnake populations affecting livestock and has since grown into a major local festival featuring a parade, a Miss Snake Charmer Queen contest, snake handling and milking demonstrations, and fried rattlesnake meat.<\/p>\n
Jay Janner\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
An Austin-area gardener recently faced a frightening situation: A venomous coral snake <\/a>had become stuck to a glue trap inside a garage, and freeing it would have required getting dangerously close.<\/p>\n Snake encounters<\/a> are rising around Central Texas homes as the reptiles emerge from winter dormancy, according to Texas A&M AgriLife<\/a>. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a> says snakes tend to be most active during warm weather and around dawn and dusk. Texas Parks and Wildlife<\/a> says continued population growth and development into previously undisturbed land will bring people into contact with venomous snakes more often.\u00a0An one Austin-area snake relocator<\/a> called this year a \u201cbooming snake season.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The person who discovered the trapped coral snake turned to Reddit for help after worrying Austin Wildlife Rescue might close before they could reach its intake center. Austin Wildlife Rescue told the Statesman they didn’t receive that snake, but they have had to remove venomous\u00a0snakes from glue traps before.<\/p>\n Jules Maron, the rescue’s director, said removing a snake from a glue trap involves carefully working warm vegetable oil beneath its body to loosen the adhesive. When freeing a rattlesnake, she started at the tail and slowly worked toward the head, guiding the animal into a protective tube as it became free.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s definitely something that is extremely dangerous for both the snake and for us,\u201d Maron said.<\/p>\n The rescue does not recommend that the public attempt to free venomous snakes from glue traps. Instead, an experienced snake handler or animal protection officer can transport an injured venomous snake to Austin Wildlife Rescue for treatment.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Unlike a rattlesnake, which has front fangs, a coral snake, above, chews on its prey to deliver its venom, and \u2018most people don’t tolerate that very well, and they rip the snake off,’ said Dr. Pat Crocker, chief of emergency medicine at Dell Children’s Medical Center. Consequently, most people don’t get enough venom to die of the bite, or need the antivenin. People and pets who are bitten still need to get emergency treatment right away and might need to be hospitalized, Crocker said. They could need a breathing device called a ventilator if their respiratory system is paralyzed by the venom. It can take days for the poison to work its way through the body and for the person or pet to come off the ventilator, doctors and veterinarians said.<\/p>\n Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n Texas is home to more than 105 species and subspecies of snakes, but only 15 are considered potentially dangerous to people. Those include rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths and coral snakes. Most snakes commonly found around homes are harmless and help control rodents and other pests.<\/p>\n But knowing that does not make an unexpected snake in the garage less alarming.\u00a0<\/p>\n What should you do if you find a snake in your yard?<\/p>\n A snake crossing a yard, driveway or trail usually does not need to be captured.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Texas Parks and Wildlife recommends:<\/p>\n Keep children and pets away. The agency says snakes generally avoid people, and most bites happen when someone tries to catch, kill or handle one.<\/p>\n Snakes are most active during warm weather and around dawn and dusk. Carry a flashlight at night, wear closed-toe shoes outdoors and never reach into brush, wood piles or places where you cannot see.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Western diamondback rattlesnakes slither on the outdoor rotunda at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. Members of the Sweetwater Jaycees brought 22 live rattlesnakes to promote the 68th annual World\u2019s Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up, scheduled for March 13\u201315 in Sweetwater. The event began in 1958 when area farmers and ranchers organized an effort to reduce rattlesnake populations affecting livestock and has since grown into a major local festival featuring a parade, a Miss Snake Charmer Queen contest, snake handling and milking demonstrations, and fried rattlesnake meat.<\/p>\n Jay Janner\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n What should you do if a snake gets inside your house?<\/p>\n If a snake enters a home or garage:<\/p>\n Move people and pets away. Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\nGive the snake space to leave on its own.
\nDo not try to kill, pin or handle it.
\nDo not lean in to identify it by head shape.
\nTake a photo from a safe distance if identification is needed.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nClose interior doors to limit where the snake can go, if you can do so safely.
\nWatch where the snake goes from a safe distance.
\nDo not try to trap it under a bucket or carry it outside.<\/p>\n