A 9-year-old boy in Diamond Bar had a jarring brush with wildlife when a four-foot rattlesnake slithered right up to his front doorstep, as seen in a now-viral clip. The child sprinted away unharmed after a quick-thinking neighbor stepped in to secure the snake.
According to FOX 5 San Diego, the boy is 9-year-old Jackson Gubernat. His father, Johnny Gubernat, called a neighbor, who showed up with a grabber tool and a bin to safely contain the reptile. The neighbor captured the roughly four-foot rattlesnake and released it about halfway down the hill behind the house, according to local coverage.
FOX 5 San Diego also published the video, which shows Jackson yelling "snake! snake!" as the rattler coils near the front door. Family members said he was shaken but unhurt after the encounter.
Rattlesnakes Have Been More Active This Spring
Unseasonably warm weather and an early heat wave have rattlesnakes turning up in yards and on trails across Southern California, prompting fresh warnings from public-safety officials. The Los Angeles Times recently detailed a cluster of bites in Ventura County, while SFGATE has reported multiple fatal rattlesnake bites this year, underscoring how serious the seasonal spike can be.
How to Stay Safe
Wildlife officials advise that the safest move is to give snakes plenty of space, avoid handling or trying to kill them, and call local animal control if a snake poses a threat to people or pets. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife publishes safety and first-aid guidance for snake encounters, including calling 911 or the California Poison Control System if someone is bitten, and offers more tips for homeowners and hikers on its website.
The Gubernat family told local reporters they were glad to have the snake relocated instead of killed so it could keep doing its part in controlling rodents around the neighborhood. As for Jackson, who can be heard in the clip sounding the alarm, he said the scare did not inspire any dreams of handling snakes. He would rather be a rock star or a movie star.
