Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

Valley Center gopher snake lover gets a reaction

They flatten their heads and hiss like rattlesnakes

Jessica's posting
Jessica's posting

On April 30, Jessica Y. found a snake by her Valley Center house, picked it up, then snapped a selfie.

Jessica, posted the photo on Facebook and captioned it: “Instead of killing gopher snakes: pick them up; say hello; admire their beauty; send them on their way; (heart emoticon).”

Video:

Gopher snake caught and released

Jessica from Valley Center video

Jessica from Valley Center video

Her “PSA” garnered over 200 reactions and responses like: “OMG”; “shivers”; “cute”; “brave girl”; and “yuck.”

An insurance agent saw a liability issue. “I don’t think you should suggest people pick up snakes on their properties and put them around their necks,” she said. “I mean just legally speaking …. this [post] should probably be removed before someone sues you for doing it and getting hurt.”

Sponsored
Sponsored

In our May 4 interview, Jessica said she’s been fascinated by animals and bugs since she was as a kid and always turned over rocks to find critters; she’s found five gopher snakes since the beginning of the year.

“I don’t recommend anyone picking up a snake unless you’re 110 percent sure of what kind it is,” she said, “and, don’t pick it up unless you’re OK with a possible bite.”

“The gopher snake ranges from cream to tan, with stripes, diamond-like patterns and ridged scales,” according to Debra King. “The Pacific gopher snake is not venomous at all. In fact, it is known to be a fairly harmless snake, and people often pick them up.”

King is an interpretive specialist for the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society. Her article ““I’m just a soul whose intentions are good…” The Misunderstood Gopher Snake” was published and posted on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service site.

“Gopher snakes are similar in appearance to rattlesnakes, and the two are often confused because gopher snakes mimic rattlesnakes by coiling up and vibrating their tails to warn off predators,” King said. “They flatten their heads to resemble those of rattlesnakes and emit a hissing sound. While this performance may protect gopher snakes from many of their foes, humans often kill harmless gopher snakes thinking they are venomous and a threat to their safety.”

Jessica dislikes when her Valley Center neighbors kill animals. “Snakes are so important,” she said, “I don’t understand how people hate rodents but kill snakes; it’s like an oxymoron. [Mike,] please stress to the public to never use poison to kill gophers, mice or rats …. the snakes eat them and die as well, as any other animal who catch rodents.”

Ramon from Chula Vista saw Jessica’s selfie. “That’s crazy,” he said, “the flash or the ringtone might startle the snake and who knows WTF might happen after that.”

King warns that “[gopher snakes] should never be picked up or handled because like any other animal they can bite if they feel threatened.”

“A snake bite, even non-venomous, can be painful,” responded CL, a former herp keeper that saw Jessica’s snake selfie. “Their mouths are full of many very sharp teeny pointy teeth and usually the surprise of being bitten gets you. It can feel like a scratch or like a razor blade.”

Another resident that liked Jessica’s photo has “so many gopher holes” on her property and is quite welcoming to a gopher snake that can grow up to 8 feet long.

Gophers are said to feed on most vegetation in yards — and can destroy grass, vegetables, flowers, trees and shrubs — in a small amount of time.

“Gopher snakes are a valuable part of California’s ecosystem,” King says. “As predators, they help control populations of other species ,and are vital to reducing the number of animals we consider pests, such as rats or gophers. Keeping rodent populations under control also help reduce the spread of germs and diseases.”

“I’ve [also] learned snakes are territorial,” JC added. “[They’re] so great to have on your property [to] keep those pesky rattlers away.”

Shortly after my interview with Jessica, she sent me a video of her holding up a baby gopher snake and commenting: “It’s so cute …. you were sniffing around over here so I’m going to put you back … bye,” then the snake slithered away.

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Haunted Trail of Balboa Park, ZZ Top, Gem Diego Show

Events October 31-November 2, 2024
Next Article

The vicious cycle of Escondido's abandoned buildings

City staff blames owners for raising rents
Jessica's posting
Jessica's posting

On April 30, Jessica Y. found a snake by her Valley Center house, picked it up, then snapped a selfie.

Jessica, posted the photo on Facebook and captioned it: “Instead of killing gopher snakes: pick them up; say hello; admire their beauty; send them on their way; (heart emoticon).”

Video:

Gopher snake caught and released

Jessica from Valley Center video

Jessica from Valley Center video

Her “PSA” garnered over 200 reactions and responses like: “OMG”; “shivers”; “cute”; “brave girl”; and “yuck.”

An insurance agent saw a liability issue. “I don’t think you should suggest people pick up snakes on their properties and put them around their necks,” she said. “I mean just legally speaking …. this [post] should probably be removed before someone sues you for doing it and getting hurt.”

Sponsored
Sponsored

In our May 4 interview, Jessica said she’s been fascinated by animals and bugs since she was as a kid and always turned over rocks to find critters; she’s found five gopher snakes since the beginning of the year.

“I don’t recommend anyone picking up a snake unless you’re 110 percent sure of what kind it is,” she said, “and, don’t pick it up unless you’re OK with a possible bite.”

“The gopher snake ranges from cream to tan, with stripes, diamond-like patterns and ridged scales,” according to Debra King. “The Pacific gopher snake is not venomous at all. In fact, it is known to be a fairly harmless snake, and people often pick them up.”

King is an interpretive specialist for the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society. Her article ““I’m just a soul whose intentions are good…” The Misunderstood Gopher Snake” was published and posted on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service site.

“Gopher snakes are similar in appearance to rattlesnakes, and the two are often confused because gopher snakes mimic rattlesnakes by coiling up and vibrating their tails to warn off predators,” King said. “They flatten their heads to resemble those of rattlesnakes and emit a hissing sound. While this performance may protect gopher snakes from many of their foes, humans often kill harmless gopher snakes thinking they are venomous and a threat to their safety.”

Jessica dislikes when her Valley Center neighbors kill animals. “Snakes are so important,” she said, “I don’t understand how people hate rodents but kill snakes; it’s like an oxymoron. [Mike,] please stress to the public to never use poison to kill gophers, mice or rats …. the snakes eat them and die as well, as any other animal who catch rodents.”

Ramon from Chula Vista saw Jessica’s selfie. “That’s crazy,” he said, “the flash or the ringtone might startle the snake and who knows WTF might happen after that.”

King warns that “[gopher snakes] should never be picked up or handled because like any other animal they can bite if they feel threatened.”

“A snake bite, even non-venomous, can be painful,” responded CL, a former herp keeper that saw Jessica’s snake selfie. “Their mouths are full of many very sharp teeny pointy teeth and usually the surprise of being bitten gets you. It can feel like a scratch or like a razor blade.”

Another resident that liked Jessica’s photo has “so many gopher holes” on her property and is quite welcoming to a gopher snake that can grow up to 8 feet long.

Gophers are said to feed on most vegetation in yards — and can destroy grass, vegetables, flowers, trees and shrubs — in a small amount of time.

“Gopher snakes are a valuable part of California’s ecosystem,” King says. “As predators, they help control populations of other species ,and are vital to reducing the number of animals we consider pests, such as rats or gophers. Keeping rodent populations under control also help reduce the spread of germs and diseases.”

“I’ve [also] learned snakes are territorial,” JC added. “[They’re] so great to have on your property [to] keep those pesky rattlers away.”

Shortly after my interview with Jessica, she sent me a video of her holding up a baby gopher snake and commenting: “It’s so cute …. you were sniffing around over here so I’m going to put you back … bye,” then the snake slithered away.

Comments
Sponsored

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Temperature inversions bring smoggy weather, "ankle biters" still biting

Near-new moon will lead to a dark Halloween
Next Article

The Fellini of Clairemont High

When gang showers were standard for gym class
Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

This Week’s Reader This Week’s Reader