Rattlesnake Found in Old Town, Alexandria
On Sunday, June 13, the AWLA’s Animal Services team received a call about a rattlesnake found in Old Town, near the 400 block of Gibbon St. Animal Services officers were able to apprehend the snake, which, at the advice of the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), they then transported to a wildlife facility.
While timber rattlesnakes are extremely rare in our region, it is not impossible for them to live in our climate, though Animal Services officers saw no sign of additional snakes or a nest. Timber rattlesnakes are an endangered species, due in part to humans’ efforts to eradicate them; like most snakes, rattlesnakes will avoid contact with humans in most situations. Timber rattlesnakes are a venomous, endangered species, it is not legal to own a rattlesnake in Alexandria without special licensing.
Virginia law prohibits Animal Services officers from interfering with healthy wildlife that are not ill, injured or presenting a danger to the community; they were permitted by DWR to apprehend and transport this snake because it was venomous. If you have any questions or concerns about wildlife you see in the City of Alexandria, please contact the AWLA’s Animal Services by calling the police non-emergency number at 703.746.4444. Animal Services officers are trained to work with wildlife, but members of the public should NOT try to capture or move a wild animal without assistance.
