A Gulf Cove father and son came across an eastern diamondback rattlesnake outside their Charlotte County home while heading out for lawn work, according to WINK News coverage cited by The Cool Down and The Times of India.
Paul Tremblay and his son Brandon said they were surprised by the snake, which was near the home. Rather than try to handle it, they called the county sheriff's emergency line. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers removed the animal about 30 minutes later, the reports said.
Eastern diamondbacks are native to Southwest Florida. Ranger Rob Howell, a naturalist and environmental educator at Pink Shell Resort, told WINK News the species is one of Florida's five venomous snakes and generally is not seeking confrontations with people. He said a snake may bite if it perceives a person as food or a threat.
Howell advised residents to give rattlesnakes space and leave them alone. He also told the station that development and changing weather conditions can contribute to more sightings as snakes seek shelter.
