Just before midnight on March 23, a Del Rio family got the type of wake-up call no one wants: a rattlesnake curled up under a bedroom bed. What started as a terrifying surprise quickly turned into a coordinated safety response, with officers clearing the house and calling in animal-control personnel. By morning, the neighborhood was buzzing and a striking photo of the intruder had turned into a seasonal warning about snake activity, as reported by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Del Rio Police Department answered an animal complaint just before midnight on March 23 and evacuated everyone inside the home as a precaution. Del Rio Animal Services then removed the rattlesnake without incident. The outlet reported that a photo of the snake was credited to the city’s police department and that officers were able to clear the home once the animal was taken away.
In a Facebook post quoted by the paper, the Del Rio Police Department cautioned that “Snakes commonly emerge from hibernation between March and April.” The post, which the newspaper said had been shared more than 800 times as of Saturday, included an image of the rattler tucked beneath the bed. Officials used the unnerving find as a timely reminder for residents to check bedding, shoes and dark corners as temperatures rise.
Spring Spike in Sightings
Texas is home to a notable range of snakes, with roughly 76 species and more than 115 when subspecies are counted, according to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Only a fraction are dangerous. “Only 15% of the total number are venomous and should be treated with caution and respect,” the agency notes, listing rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths and coral snakes among the species to watch.
Warmer weather helps bring those snakes out. Randall Kennedy of Dallas Fort Worth Wildlife Control told CBS Texas that in spring, snakes emerge from hibernation and are “on the move,” which means more encounters for people who might never have expected to find one under the bed.
What To Do If You Find a Snake
Experts say that if you spot a snake in your home, the first step is to keep your distance. Residents are advised to move pets and children into another room and contact local animal services or a police non-emergency line instead of trying to handle the animal themselves.
If someone is bitten, medical professionals warn against home remedies or internet hacks. As Dr. Taylor Louden told CBS Texas, the best approach is to “try to immobilize the affected area and keep it below your heart” while getting to a hospital as quickly as possible.
