Baby Rattlesnake Follows Its Mom in Extremely Rare Footage

BY ROBYN WHITE ON 8/26/22 

A baby rattlesnake has been filmed following its mother in extremely rare footage.

The footage, posted to Facebook by California-based snake catchers So-Cal Rattlesnake Removal, shows a southern pacific rattlesnake slithering across the ground. A smaller, baby snake can be seen following its lead.

Most snake species are usually independent from their mother immediately after birth. They then remain solitary for the rest of their lives. Rattlesnakes are the exception.

"One of our customers sent us this!" a caption to the video reads. "Most likely the parent snake being followed by its young! Incredible."

Alex Trejo, owner of So-Cal Rattlesnake Removal, told Newsweek that this is extremely rare.

"This is the first time I've ever seen anything like this! It's very rare behavior," Trejo said. "And as far as studies have shown, there isn't much data on behavior like this, we assume that after a while babies will depart and become independent."

In recent years, scientists have discovered evidence that rattlesnake mothers do show maternal care for their offspring. Rattlesnakes do not nurse their young. Snakes are able to hunt and kill prey as soon as they are born. But snakes may stay with their mother for up to a week, and remain in the same place they were born until they shed their skin for the first time.

It is not clear why the young snake was following the adult. At this age, young snakes are at risk from being eaten by other animals, such as eagles.

"OK I don't like snakes BUT this is pretty cute," one social media user said in the comment section.

Another said: "Amazing! I've never seen anything like that before!"

"Omg how cute !!!!" another said.

Trejo works to remove snakes from populated areas in California, where they may pose a threat to people. Rattlesnakes are often found sheltering in properties especially in hot weather. Although snakes will usually try to avoid people the venomous snakes will inflict a dangerous bite if provoked.

It is currently the tail end of snake season in California. This is the hot summer months when snakes tend to be more active. The venomous snakes can be found widely across the state. They live in a variety of environments, from the desert to the coast.

Trejo said in comments to the Facebook post that he always relocates snakes to a safe place rather than euthanizing them.

This year, due to the hotter summers, rattlesnakes became active earlier than usual.

The snake season in California usually begins in the second half of April and the beginning of May. However, in 2022, Californians noticed rattlesnakes emerging as early as mid-March.